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20 Black Sci-Fi Icons

20 Black Sci-Fi Icons

In honor of Martin Luther King's birthday, we're looking at classic characters -- like Morpheus, Lando, and Uhura -- who enrich the genre because their creators dared to dream

By Marc Bernardin

January 16, 2009 at 04:00 PM EST

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Jasin Boland

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Jefferson Jr : Kobal collection

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Everett Collection

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Lando Calrissian

Played by: Billy Dee Williams Film: Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Star Wars: Episode VI — Return of the Jedi (1983) One can’t deny the intergalactic swagger of this Cloud City administrator and one-time hustler. Just listen to this pick-up line: ”You look absolutely beautiful. You truly belong here with us among the clouds.” That would totally work in your average sports bar…in the clouds. —Marc Bernardin

Lucas Films LTD.

Played by: Billy Dee Williams
Film: Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Star Wars: Episode VI — Return of the Jedi (1983)
One can’t deny the intergalactic swagger of this Cloud City administrator and one-time hustler. Just listen to this pick-up line: ”You look absolutely beautiful. You truly belong here with us among the clouds.” That would totally work in your average sports bar…in the clouds. —Marc Bernardin

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Everett Collection

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Everett Collection

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Mario Perez/ABC

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© & TM Lucasfilms Ltd.

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Melinda Sue Gordon

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Justin Stephens/Sci Fi

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Steve Brown

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20 Black Sci-Fi Icons

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