'NCIS' casts a 'Star Wars' actor to play a new Leroy Jethro

Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon) was named after Lando Calrissian? Apparently, that is (sort of) the case. We will learn all about it when "Star Wars" actor Billy Dee Williams guest stars on "NCIS" as the original Leroy Jethro.

Williams will appear as the older Leroy Jethro on an upcoming episode of "NCIS" season 10, according to a report from TVGuide.com. He'll guest-star as LJ, an old friend of the Gibbs family. Sharing a history going back as far as World War II, Williams' LJ will have scenes with Jack Gibbs (guest star Ralph Waite) as well as with his younger namesake.

The "NCIS" episode featuring Billy Dee Williams is scheduled to air at some time in October.

Though he's best known as Lando Calrissian in "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi," Williams has had a long acting career. His notable TV roles include "Brian's Song," "General Hospital" and even "Lost" (where he guest-starred as himself).