Book Review: What Have We Here?

Billy Dee Williams was born in Harlem in 1937 and grew up in a household of love and sophistication. As a young boy, he made his stage debut working with Lotte Lenya in an Ira Gershwin/Kurt Weill production where he ended up feeding Lenya her lines. He studied painting, first at the High School of Music and Art, with fellow student Diahann Carroll, and then at the National Academy of Fine Art, before setting out to pursue acting with Herbert Berghoff, Stella Adler, and Sidney Poitier.

His first film role was in The Last Angry Man, the great Paul Muni’s final film. It was Muni who gave Billy the advice that sent him soaring as an actor, “You can play any character you want to play no matter who you are, no matter the way you look or the color of your skin.” And Williams writes, “I wanted to be anyone I wanted to be.”

What Have We Here?, the autobiography of Billy Dee Williams, will be published February 13, 2024. Knopf /Borzoi Books provided an early galley for review.

Growing up in the 70's, Williams was known to me by his movie roles in Brian's Song, Lady Sings the Blues, Mahogany and several Star Wars films. He was also the smooth spokesman on the ever-present Colt 45 malt liquor commercials. Still, I never knew his story, so I was eager to dive into this one.

Right out of the gate, I was completely drawn into Williams' life. By the time he reached early adulthood, he was partaking in a variety of experiences and encounters that made up a varied tapestry. No surprise that he tends to name-drop quite a bit as he was connected to so many people in so many walks of life (music, theatre, film and more). I found that all quite fascinating.

Of course, Williams makes sure to spend a lot of time covering his many roles on the stage and on screen (both TV and film). He also talks about the many women in his life, some of whom he was more intimate than others. Throughout, he comes across exactly how he did in all of his work - with class and charm.