Billy Dee Williams stars a detective in TV murder mystery 'Falling for You.'

Jet, Feb 20, 1995

Handsome actor Billy Dee Williams shows fans a dark, mysterious side in the CBS-TV thriller, Falling For You.

The versatile actor stars as the eccentric homicide detective Lt. Frank Lazaro in the mystery which airs Feb. 2 1. Lt. Lazaro is a jaded police veteran with a skeleton in his closet. He has such an intense preoccupation with a serial murder case that he appears to be a prime suspect.

Falling For You also stars Jennie Garth, popular star of the hit TV series, "Beverly Hills 90210," who plays Meg Crane, a young woman terrorized by a deadly admirer. The movie tells the story of Meg's courageous attempt to rebuild her life after a vicious attack by a serial killer leaves her with partial amnesia. With no memory of her attacker's face, Meg is defenseless against a second attempt on her life.

Actor Costas Mandylor co-stars as the handsome professional Paul Blakenship who begins to date Meg, as the grisly murders continue to dominate the headlines. The cast also features new actress Kimberly Huie who plays Meg's best friend, Betsy.

Williams (Lt. Lazaro), who raises Sterling Silver roses, brings Meg flowers while she is in the hospital, only to be met with her hostility toward the police. Soon after, she also receives a gold charm bracelet with a broken heart charm from a "secret admirer." Because the police have kept this key piece of evidence out of the press, Meg is unaware that she is once again in danger.

Describing his character, Williams says, "Frank Lazaro is dedicated to being a homicide cop. He's very sensitive, but he doesn't like stupidity in himself or in others. He's hardest on himself; when he screws up, it's traumatic for him. He understands that if you are not honest with yourself you do a disservice to everyone."

As with all of his roles, Williams, a consummate perfectionist, worked closely with the producers, wardrobe and set decorators to flesh out his role and give the character dimension. "Lazaro is not just a cop. He's a methodical man, and good at almost everything he does."

When not preparing for a TV or movie role, the matinee idol enjoys a successful career as a painter. In fact, he was a painter before he starred as the leading man in such '70s hit movies as Lady Sings the Blues, Mahogany and the TV movie, Brian's Song. His other movie credits include Return of the Jedi, The Empire Strikes Back and Batman.

The actor-painter was recently honored by the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., where he presented one of his prized paintings, Self Portrait with Gardenia. The portrait is of the leading man he portrayed in Lady Sings The Blues with Diana Ross.

Williams' acclaimed art work has been featured in 10 solo exhibitions since 1990. Williams, who studied art at Manhattan's High School of Music and Art before his movie career, says art and acting go hand in hand.

"I like creating conceptual things and putting a signature on them." And as always, Williams puts his signature on his starring multidimensional role on the TV movie Falling For You.