Star Wars actor Billy Dee Williams revealed candid details about his life in his upcoming memoir, What Have We Here?: Portraits of A Life, set to be released on February 13. Notably, he recalled a memorable encounter with the late legendary actor Marlon Brando.
According to Williams, during a star-studded party at Brando's home, the Hollywood icon propositioned him in the library. Williams, known for his romantic lead roles, reflects on the attention he has received throughout his life, stating, "Gay, straight, whatever, somebody's always hitting on me."
Regarding Brando's romantic offer, Williams reveals that he declined, explaining:
"I prefer women."
He emphasized his openness and acceptance, having spent much of his life surrounded by diverse individuals, including his close friend, the late celebrated Black writer James Baldwin, who was gay, and reflected further on his response to Brando:
"I've spent a lot of my life around gay people. James Baldwin, who was gay, was my dearest friend."
"I'm not into guys. I had no qualms with that kind of stuff. Whatever you are, that’s who you are. I’m more interested in meeting interesting people.”
It was the kind of Hollywood gossip people live for.
Brando led a tumultuous personal life, engaging in relationships with men and women alike.
Notably, during the 1947 production of A Streetcar Named Desire, Brando developed a fondness for co-star Sandy Campbell, who portrayed the young collector in a minor role.
Brando actively pursued a romantic involvement with Campbell, and the two were frequently observed standing together in the wings, holding hands. The late writer Truman Capote recounted that both Campbell and Brando openly acknowledged their sexual relationship during the production.
Brando was open about his personal life, once telling a journalist that "Homosexuality is so much in fashion, it no longer makes news" and that "Like a large number of men, I, too, have had homosexual experiences, and I am not ashamed."