Academy Award winner William Robert Thornton popularly known as Billy Bob Thornton is an American actor, singer, songwriter, filmmaker and musician. He is a multi talented person. Billy Bob Thornton was born in the year 1955, on 4th August. He spent his early childhood years at Hot Springs in Arkansas. His parents are Virginia Roberta who was a psychic, and William Raymond Thornton worked as an educator.
Don't Miss: Miranda Raison
His father has also worked as a history teacher and also a basketball coach in a reputed high school. He had two brothers, James Donald and John David. In his childhood, he has been to numerous places in Arkansas, including Alpine, Mount Holly, and Malvern. He had to struggle in his childhood a lot as there was no electricity or running water in the areas where he was been raised. In the year 1973, he graduated from Malvern High School.
Later, he went to the Henderson State University to carry on with his studies in psychology. After two years, he was dropped out from the university. During mid-1980s, he went to Los Angeles and settled there to follow his passion and become successful as an actor. When he was auditioning for acting jobs he also did some part time jobs to earn livelihood. He was also a part of the popular rock band, Jack Hammer where he played drums and sang.
He suggested Thornton in a conversation to pursue a successful career as a screenwriter. In 1980's Thornton was first seen on screen playing a small role in South of Reno, as a counter man in a restaurant. In the 1987’s Matlock episode "The Photographer” he also made an appearance as a pawn store clerk. In the year 1992, he drew the attention of the critics after appearing in One False Move as a villain.
Billy has also appeared in small supporting roles in the films like On Deadly Ground, Indecent Proposal, Tombstone and Bound by Honor. He kept writing and wrote many scripts for different films. In the year 1996, he also directed and had made appearance in the film Sling Blade which earned him international acclaim. His screenplay brought him many awards and nominations including the Academy Award, an Edgar Award and a Writers Guild of America Award.
He also received an Oscar for playing the role as the Best Actor. His popularity gained after this big achievement. He made major appearances in the films A Simple Plan, Monster's Ball, Bad Santa, The Man Who Wasn't There, Bandits and Friday Night Lights. He also appeared in the Big Bang Theory and Goliath, a television series by Amazon Studios. He always had a knack for music and in the year 1990, he came under the limelight as a songwriter. Later he released albums named Private Radio, Hobo, The Edge of the World, Beautiful Door.
According to the records he got married six times and has four children from all these marriages. He has two daughters named as Bella with Connie Angland and Amanda Brumfield with Melissa Lee Gatlin and two sons named as Harry and William from Pietra Dawn Cherniak. Besides winning an Academy Award, Bill won many other awards and got nominated for others. He had won the Critics’ Choice Movie Award, NBR Awards, Saturn Awards and many more. Presently he is living successfully.
Last Modified: Mar 8, 2020
Related Biographies
