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
Updated January 16, 2009 at 04:00 PM EST

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Credit: Jasin Boland
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Credit: Jefferson Jr : Kobal collection

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Credit: Everett Collection
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Credit: Everett Collection
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Lando Calrissian

Credit: 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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Credit: Everett Collection
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Credit: Everett Collection
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Credit: Mario Perez/ABC
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Credit: Everett Collection
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Credit: Everett Collection
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Credit: Kobal Collection
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Credit: © & TM Lucasfilms Ltd.
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Credit: Melinda Sue Gordon
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Credit: Justin Stephens/Sci Fi
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Credit: Steve Brown
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Credit: Everett Collection
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