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Billy Bob Thornton[series=Inside the Actors Studio ] (born August 4, 1955) is an American actor, director, musician, playwright and screenwriter. His rise to fame began in the mid-1990s, after writing, directing, and starring in the film Sling Blade, for which he won an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Early lifeThornton was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas,
In the late 1980s, Thornton settled in Los Angeles, to pursue his career as an actor, with future writing partner Tom Epperson.
CareerThornton first came to semi-prominence as a cast member on the CBS sitcom Hearts Afire with John Ritter and Markie Post
. His role as the villain in 1992's One False Move, which he also co-wrote, brought him to the attention of critics.
Thornton put Wilder's advice to good use, and went on to write, direct and star in the independent film Sling Blade, which was released in 1996.
During the late 1990s, Thornton, who has had a life-long love for music, began a career as a singer-songwriter. He released a roots rock album titled Private Radio in 2001, and two more albums, The Edge of the World (2003) and Hobo (2005). Thornton was the singer of a blues rock band named Tres Hombres. Guitarist Billy Gibbons referred to the band as "The best little cover band in Texas", and Thornton bears a tattoo with the band's name on it.[title=Billy Bob's Music ] He performed the Warren Zevon song The Wind on the tribute album Enjoy Every Sandwich: Songs of Warren Zevon. Thornton recorded a cover of the Johnny Cash classic "Ring of Fire" for the Oxford American magazine's Southern Music CD in 2001.
Thornton's screen persona has been described by the press as that of a "tattooed, hirsute man's man".[title=Billy Bob Hollywood's go-to guy ] He appeared in several major film roles following Sling Blade 's success, including 1998's Armageddon and A Simple Plan. In 2001 he had starring roles in three hollywood pictures, ''Monster's Ball, Bandits and The Man Who Wasn't There'', for which he received many awards. He played a malicious mall Santa Claus in 2003's Bad Santa, a black comedy that performed well at the box office and established Thornton as a leading comic actor. Thornton has stated that, following Bad Santa's success, audiences "like to watch [1] play that kind of guy,"[title=School is in session ] In 2004 he played Davy Crockett in The Alamo. He appeared in the comic film School for Scoundrels, which was released on September 29, 2006. In the film, he plays a self-help doctor; the role was written specifically for Thornton.[title=Interview with "School for Scoundrels" Star Billy Bob Thornton ] based on the book Trapped! The Story of Floyd Collins by Robert K. Murray and Roger Brucker.
Thornton received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on October 7, 2004.
CBC interview and Canadian tourOn April 8, 2009 Thornton and his musical group The Boxmasters were interviewed on a CBC Radio One program Q, hosted by Jian Ghomeshi in which Thornton's responses were either incomprehensible or discourteous. Eventually, Thornton explained he had "instructed" the show's producers to not ask questions about his career as screenwriter and actor. Ghomeshi had mentioned Thornton’s acting credentials in the introduction. Thornton also complained that Canadian audiences were like “mashed potatoes without the gravy". The widely criticized interview received international attention in the media and on YouTube. The following night, opening for Willie Nelson at Toronto's Massey Hall, Thornton stated mid-set he liked Canadians but not the CBC radio host resulting in boos and catcalls. On April 10 Thornton announced The Boxmasters would not be playing with Nelson during concerts scheduled in Canada due to members of the crew and band having the flu.
Personal lifeThornton has frequently disclosed that he has obsessive–compulsive disorder.Citation needed
Thornton lives in Los Angeles. He has been married five times, most notably to actress Angelina Jolie. Each of Thornton's marriages ended in divorce. The pair were known for their eccentric behavior, which reportedly included wearing vials of each others' blood around their necks; Thornton later clarified that the "vials" were, instead, two small lockets, each containing only a single drop of blood.
Thornton and Jolie adopted a child from Cambodia whom they named Maddox. Jolie's divorce petition defined the child as both her and Thornton's, and requested the Court grant her custody and Thornton reasonable visitation.[title=Angelina Jolie's Petition for Divorce from Billy Bob Thornton ]
Thornton is the father of four children. His first marriage, to Melissa Gatlin, produced Amanda Spence Brumfield on June 30, 1979; his fourth wife, Pietra Cherniak, bore William Langston on June 27, 1993 and Harry James on June 19, 1994; and Thornton and his current girlfriend Connie Angland welcomed Bella on September 22, 2004. Thornton has stated that he will likely not marry again, specifying that he believes marriage "doesn't work" for him.
He has two younger brothers, Jimmy Don, (who died abruptly of a heart attack in 1988), and John David, who resides in Arkansas. Jimmy Don Thornton wrote a number of songs, two of which--"Island Avenue" and "Emily"--Thornton has recorded on his solo albums.
A baseball fan, his favorite team is the St. Louis Cardinals. He has said his childhood dream was to play for the Cardinals.
FilmographyOther screen creditsDiscography''For albums and songs recorded by Thornton's band, see The Boxmasters#Discography.
- Private Radio (CD) - Universal Records - 2001
- Earl Scruggs And Friends (CD) - MCA Records - 2001
- The Edge of the World (CD) - Sanctuary Records - 2003
- Hobo (CD) - Big Deal Records - 2005
- Beautiful Door (CD) - New Door Records - 2007
Copyright Citations
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