Billy Bob Thornton

Billy Bob Thornton (born August 4, 1955) is an American actor, filmmaker, and writer. He gained prominence with his involvement in the 1992 thriller One False Move, where he co-wrote and starred. However, his international breakthrough came with the independent drama Sling Blade (1996), a film he wrote, directed, and starred in, earning him an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and a nomination for Best Actor. Throughout the 1990s, Thornton appeared in various notable roles, including Oliver Stone's U Turn (1997), the political drama Primary Colors (1998), and the science fiction blockbuster Armageddon (1998). He also starred in the critically acclaimed crime drama A Simple Plan (1998), earning his third Oscar nomination.


In the 2000s, Thornton continued his success with roles in dramas like Monster's Ball (2001), The Man Who Wasn't There (2001), and Friday Night Lights (2004), along with comedic performances in Intolerable Cruelty (2003) and Bad Santa (2003). He ventured into television with his portrayal of Lorne Malvo in the first season of Fargo (2014), earning an Emmy nomination and winning a Golden Globe. From 2016 to 2021, he starred in the Amazon original series Goliath, securing another Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Television Series Drama.
Beyond acting, Thornton has written several films, often set in the Southern United States and co-written with Tom Epperson, including A Family Thing (1996) and The Gift (2000). He has also directed movies such as Daddy and Them (2001), All the Pretty Horses (2000), and Jayne Mansfield's Car (2012).


Thornton's contributions to cinema have been recognized with awards such as 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 has received accolades from the Hollywood Walk of Fame and nominations for Emmy Awards, Golden Globes, and Screen Actors Guild Awards. Additionally, Thornton has pursued a career in music, releasing four solo albums and serving as the lead vocalist for the rock band the Boxmasters.
Despite his success, Thornton has been outspoken about his disdain for celebrity culture and prefers to maintain a low profile. However, media attention intensified during his marriage to Angelina Jolie.


Thornton was born on August 4, 1955, in Hot Springs, Arkansas, to Virginia Roberta (née Faulkner; passed away on July 29, 2017), who claimed to be a psychic, and William Raymond "Billy Ray" Thornton (November 1929 – August 1974), a high school history teacher and basketball coach. His brother Jimmy Don (April 1958 – October 1988) was a songwriter; two of his songs ("Island Avenue" and "Emily") were recorded by Thornton on his solo albums. Thornton's ancestry includes English and part Irish roots. He also has another brother named John David.


Thornton's childhood was spent in various places in Arkansas, including Alpine, Malvern, and Mount Holly. Raised Methodist, he grew up in an extended family in a shack without electricity or plumbing. He graduated from Malvern High School in 1973. Thornton showed promise as a high school baseball player and even attempted to join the Kansas City Royals, though he was let go due to an injury. Following a brief stint working for the Arkansas State Transportation Department, he enrolled at Henderson State University to study psychology but dropped out after completing two semesters.


In the mid-1980s, Thornton relocated to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career alongside his future writing partner, Tom Epperson. However, achieving success as an actor proved challenging, and Thornton held various jobs, including telemarketing, offshore wind farming, and fast food management, while auditioning for acting roles. Additionally, he played drums and sang with the South African rock band Jack Hammer. It was during his time working as a waiter at an industry event that he met film director and screenwriter Billy Wilder. Wilder encouraged Thornton to explore screenwriting as a potential career path.

In September 1987, Thornton made his stage debut in the one-act play "Beethoven Symphonies" as part of the West Coast Theatre Ensemble in Los Angeles. His initial on-screen appearance was in the thriller Hunter's Blood, where he portrayed a character named Billy Bob. Initially hired as a stand-in for the entire production, Thornton eventually appeared in two scenes. He also had minor roles in the film South of Reno and in a 1987 episode of Matlock titled "The Photographer." Another early television role was as a cast member on the CBS sitcom Hearts Afire. In 1989, he played an angry heckler in Adam Sandler's debut film Going Overboard.


Thornton's breakthrough came with his role as the antagonist in the 1992 film One False Move, which he also co-wrote. This performance caught the attention of critics. Throughout the 1990s, he had small roles in films such as Indecent Proposal, On Deadly Ground, Bound by Honor, and Tombstone. However, his most significant achievement during this period was writing, directing, and starring in the 1996 independent film Sling Blade, which received widespread acclaim. Thornton's screenplay earned him an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, while his performance garnered Oscar and Screen Actors Guild nominations for Best Actor.


In 1998, Thornton portrayed a character reminiscent of James Carville in Primary Colors and adapted the novel All the Pretty Horses into a film. He also appeared in the music video for Travis Tritt's song "Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde." Following the success of Sling Blade, Thornton starred in several major films, including Armageddon and A Simple Plan in 1998. He directed the film Daddy and Them in 2000 while simultaneously securing starring roles in Monster's Ball, Bandits, and The Man Who Wasn't There, earning numerous awards.


Thornton continued to diversify his roles, playing a malicious mall Santa in Bad Santa (2003), an oil tycoon in Intolerable Cruelty (2003), and a womanizing President in Love Actually (2003). His performance in Bad Santa solidified his reputation as a leading comedic actor. In 2004, he starred as David Crockett in The Alamo and portrayed Coach Gary Gaines in Friday Night Lights. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in October 2004. Thornton's subsequent projects include roles in Bad News Bears (2005), School for Scoundrels (2006), The Astronaut Farmer (2007), Mr. Woodcock (2007), and Eagle Eye (2008). He has also expressed an interest in directing another film, potentially a period piece based on the book Trapped! The Story of Floyd Collins.

References

1.  Staff (September 24, 2001). "BILLY BOB THORNTON: PRIVATE RADIO". PopMatters. Retrieved July 19, 2023. The most appropriate description of Thornton's music is probably "alternative country"
2. ^ Vigoda, Arlene (February 7, 1997). "Thornton makes a mark with 'Sling Blade'". USA Today. p. 1D LIFE.
3. ^ Model, Betsy (January 2004). "Rock-a-Billy Bob". Orange Coast Magazine. Vol. 30, no. 1. p. 54.
4. ^ "Combustible Celluloid interview – Mark Polish, Michael Polish, Billy Bob Thornton, The Astronaut Farmer (2007)". combustiblecelluloid.com.
5. ^ "Monitor". Entertainment Weekly. No. 1219. August 10, 2012. p. 27.
6. "Billy Bob Thornton". Inside the Actors Studio. Season 8. Episode 18. August 18, 2002.
7. ^ "Billy Bob Thornton Biography". The Biography Channel. Archived from the original on June 24, 2018. Retrieved June 30, 2014.