Billy Bob Thornton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Billy Bob Thornton
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Thornton in 2017
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| Born | August 4, 1955 Hot Springs, Arkansas, U.S.
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| Years active | 1974–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Melissa Lee Gatlin
(m. 1978; div. 1980)Toni Lawrence
(m. 1986; div. 1988)Pietra Dawn Cherniak
(m. 1993; div. 1997)Connie Angland
(m. 2014) |
| Children | 4 |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | Alternative country |
| Instruments |
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| Labels | Vanguard |
| Associated acts | The Boxmasters |
Billy Bob Thornton (born August 4, 1955) is a talented American actor, filmmaker, singer, and songwriter. He became widely known after writing, directing, and starring in the independent drama film Sling Blade (1996). For this movie, he won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and was nominated for Best Actor. He also received an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor nomination for his role in A Simple Plan (1998).
Thornton has appeared in many popular films, including Armageddon (1998), Monster's Ball (2001), and Bad Santa (2003). He has also directed films like All the Pretty Horses (2000). On television, he starred in the series Fargo (2014) and Goliath (2016-2021), winning Golden Globe Awards for both. He also plays the lead role in the new series Landman (2024).
Besides his film and TV work, Billy Bob Thornton is a singer-songwriter. He has released four solo albums and is the lead singer of the rock band The Boxmasters.
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Early Life
Billy Bob Thornton was born on August 4, 1955, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. His mother, Virginia Roberta, was a psychic, and his father, William Raymond "Billy Ray" Thornton, was a high school history teacher and basketball coach.
As a child, Thornton lived in several places in Arkansas, including Alpine, Malvern, and Mount Holly. He grew up in a simple home that sometimes didn't have electricity or plumbing. He graduated from Malvern High School in 1973. He was a good baseball player and even tried out for the Kansas City Royals, but an injury stopped him. After working for a short time, he studied psychology at Henderson State University but left after a year.
In the mid-1980s, Thornton moved to Los Angeles to become an actor. It was a tough start, and he worked various jobs like telemarketing and fast food management while trying to get acting roles. He also played drums and sang in a rock band. One day, while working as a waiter, he met film director Billy Wilder. Wilder encouraged Thornton to try screenwriting, which means writing movie scripts.
Career Highlights
Early Roles and Breakthrough
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In 1987, Billy Bob Thornton had his first on-screen role in the thriller Hunter's Blood. He then appeared in small parts in films and TV shows, including the sitcom Hearts Afire. In 1989, he was in Adam Sandler's first film, Going Overboard.
He also co-wrote and played the villain in the 1992 film One False Move. During the 1990s, he had roles in movies like On Deadly Ground, Bound by Honor, and Tombstone.
Sling Blade and Major Success
In 1996, Thornton wrote, directed, and starred in the independent film Sling Blade. The movie tells the story of a man with an intellectual disability who is released from a mental hospital. Sling Blade was highly praised around the world.
Thornton won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for his writing. He was also nominated for Best Actor at the Oscars and the Screen Actors Guild Awards for his performance.
After Sling Blade became a hit, Thornton got many big film roles. In 1998, he was in Primary Colors and the disaster film Armageddon. He also starred in A Simple Plan, which earned him another Oscar nomination, this time for Best Supporting Actor.
In 2000, he directed All the Pretty Horses. He also co-wrote the film The Gift with Tom Epperson. In 2001, he directed Daddy and Them and starred in three other Hollywood films: Monster's Ball, Bandits, and The Man Who Wasn't There.
In 2003, Thornton played a grumpy mall Santa in the comedy Bad Santa. That same year, he was an oil millionaire in Intolerable Cruelty and the President of the United States in the romantic comedy Love Actually. He later said that after Bad Santa, audiences enjoyed seeing him play "that kind of guy."
In 2004, Thornton played David Crockett in The Alamo and Coach Gary Gaines in the football drama Friday Night Lights. On October 7, 2004, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Later Career in Film and TV
In 2005, he played a baseball coach in Bad News Bears. He also appeared in the comedy School for Scoundrels (2006) and Mr. Woodcock (2007). In 2011, he voiced the character Jack in the animated film Puss in Boots.
In 2014, Thornton starred as Lorne Malvo in the TV miniseries Fargo. His performance earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Mini-Series. He also made a guest appearance on The Big Bang Theory and played a prosecutor in the legal drama The Judge.
In 2016, Thornton began playing Billy McBride in the legal drama series Goliath on Amazon Prime Video. This role also won him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor. The series ran until 2021. He also returned as the bad Santa in Bad Santa 2 in 2016.
Since 2024, Thornton has been starring as Tommy Norris in the series Landman, playing a landman at an oil company.
Music Career
In the 1970s, Billy Bob Thornton was the drummer for a blues rock band called Tres Hombres. He even has a tattoo of the band's name. In 1983, they released their only album, Gunslinger.
In 1985, Thornton joined the South African rock band Jack Hammer and recorded one album with them, Death of a Gypsy, in 1986.
Thornton started his solo music career in 2001 with the album Private Radio. He then released The Edge of the World (2003), Hobo (2005), and Beautiful Door (2007). He also performed a cover of the Johnny Cash song "Ring of Fire" with Earl Scruggs.
In 2007, Thornton formed the band The Boxmasters with J.D. Andrew. In 2009, The Boxmasters appeared on a Canadian radio show called Q. There was a misunderstanding during the interview because Thornton preferred not to answer questions about his movie career, but the host mentioned it in the introduction.
Acting Credits and Awards
Billy Bob Thornton has received many honors for his work. These include the President's Award from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films and a Special Achievement Award from the National Board of Review. He also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He has been nominated for an Emmy Award, four Golden Globes, and three Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Discography
- Studio albums
- Private Radio (2001)
- The Edge of the World (2003)
- Hobo (2005)
- Beautiful Door (2007)
Personal Life
Marriages and Family
Billy Bob Thornton has been married six times and has four children.
He was married to Melissa Lee Gatlin from 1978 to 1980, and they had a daughter named Amanda. He was then married to actress Toni Lawrence from 1986 to 1988. From 1990 to 1992, he was married to actress Cynda Williams. In 1993, he married model Pietra Dawn Cherniak, and they had two sons before divorcing in 1997.
From 2000 to 2003, he was married to actress Angelina Jolie. Their marriage received a lot of media attention. They separated in 2002 and divorced the following year.
In 2003, Thornton began a relationship with Connie Angland, a makeup effects artist, and they have a daughter together. They got married on October 22, 2014, in Los Angeles.
Health and Interests
When he was younger, Billy Bob Thornton was diagnosed with myocarditis, a heart condition. He now follows a vegan diet and avoids certain foods due to allergies.
Thornton has dyslexia, which affects reading, and obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). He has also mentioned some unique fears, like a phobia of antique furniture, especially fancy French styles. He also dislikes certain types of silverware.
Billy Bob Thornton is a big fan of baseball, especially the St. Louis Cardinals. He often includes a clause in his movie contracts that allows him to watch their games. He also supports the Indianapolis Colts football team.
He is also a self-described "Brony," which means he is a male fan of the animated show My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic.
When asked about his beliefs, Thornton has said he is not a traditional religious person. He believes that no one can truly know exactly what happens after life.
Images for kids
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Thornton in 2017
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Thornton at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, in March 2008
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Thornton in 2012
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Thornton with The Boxmasters, 2007
See Also
In Spanish: Billy Bob Thornton para niños
