Billy Dee Williams Says Marlon Brando Once Hit on Him and He Declined: ‘I Prefer Women’ (Exclusive)

Legendary actor Billy Dee Williams knows what it means to be in demand, on and off screen.

The Star Wars alum gets candid in his new memoir What do we have here?: Portraits of a lifeis released on February 13. From talented painter to Hollywood heartthrob, he reveals lesser-known details of his life in this week’s issue of PEOPLE.

“I’m thinking about legacy at this stage, 86 and 87,” he says, “so I figured maybe I should talk about a few things that might be of interest to a few people. I’ve had a lot of very interesting experiences over the years.”

Billy Dee Williams.

Albert L. Ortega

He really did, including one instance he writes about in the book, when Marlon Brando proposed to him while the two were standing in the library of Brando’s home where the Hollywood titan was hosting a star-studded party.

‘Star Wars’ Actor Billy Dee Williams Reveals Cover of New ‘Stunning, Inspiring’ Memoir (Exclusive)

“I’ve been under attack my whole life,” says Williams, who credits his leading romantic roles in films such as 1972. Lady Sings the Blues and in 1975 Mahogany for his personality as a famous lover. “Gay, straight, it doesn’t matter, someone’s always hitting on me.”

As for Brando, Williams says he turned down a romantic offer from the late movie star. As for the reason, “I prefer women,” says Williams.

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Marlon Brando.

However, the star is no ordinary Hollywood alpha male. In 2019, he sparked speculation about his gender identity and sexuality after revealing that he sees himself as “feminine as well as masculine” in Esquire interview.

“I’ve spent a lot of my life around gay people,” Williams says. “[The late celebrated Black writer] James Baldwin, who was gay, was my best friend.”

What do we have here? by Billy Dee Williams.

Courtesy of Knopf/Photo Courtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd. LLC/Jenny Carrow Jacket Design

But as for romance, he says he told Brando, “I don’t like boys.” Still, he adds, “I didn’t have a problem with that kind of thing. Whatever you are, you are. I’m more interested in meeting interesting people.”

Find out more about the life and many loves of Billy Dee Williams in this week’s issue PEOPLEit comes out on friday.

What do we have here?: Portraits of a life is available on February 13.

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Source: HIS Education