| Actor Date of Birth: 04.08.1955 Country: USA |
Billy Bob Thornton was born on August 4, 1955, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. His father was a history teacher and coached the local university basketball team, while his mother came from the Choctaw Indian tribe and was believed to have clairvoyant abilities. Thornton was the oldest of four sons and the only one who chose to pursue a career in acting.
As a child, Thornton struggled with weight problems, which led to him not having many friends. He spent his free time with his hermit grandfather, Otis, who lived in a small cabin in the woods. As he grew older, Thornton developed a passion for music, particularly British rock bands, which inspired him to become a musician. He performed in the school band "Stone Cold Fever" and later in the rock group "Tres Hombres."
In addition to music, Thornton was also passionate about sports. After graduating from high school in 1973, he aspired to become a professional baseball player. However, a sports injury forced him to give up his dream. He briefly worked as an asphalt worker before enrolling in the psychology department at Henderson State University. Becoming a psychologist was not what Thornton had in mind, and after finishing college, he decided to try his luck in Hollywood.
Initially, Thornton faced many challenges in Hollywood. He struggled to find acting opportunities and had to work odd jobs in cafes and nightclubs to make ends meet. This lifestyle took a toll on his health, and he was hospitalized multiple times due to heart problems. However, Thornton's persistence eventually paid off. While working as a waiter, he served a table occupied by the renowned director Billy Wilder. Thornton shared his aspirations with Wilder, who advised him to pursue screenwriting. Ten years later, Thornton and his friend Tom Epperson wrote a detective screenplay that caught the attention of producers, leading to the film "One False Move" in 1992.
Although his first screenplay did not receive much critical acclaim, Thornton's next work, the crime drama "Sling Blade" in 1996, brought him worldwide recognition. The film, which he wrote, directed, and starred in, won him an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay and a nomination for Best Actor. This success solidified Thornton's reputation as a talented filmmaker, actor, and screenwriter.
Following the success of "Sling Blade," Thornton appeared in several films, including "Armageddon" (1998), "Primary Colors" (1998), and "Pushing Tin" (1999), which received positive reviews. His leading role in the film "The Man Who Wasn't There" (2001) earned him a Golden Globe nomination and critical acclaim. The peak of Thornton's acting career came with the black comedy "Bad Santa" (2003), which garnered numerous awards and became a hit among audiences. He was once again nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance in the film.
However, after his successful roles in "Bad Santa" and "The Ice Harvest" (2005), Thornton's popularity began to decline. He appeared less frequently in films, and his acting roles were not as notable. Some attribute this decline to his busy schedule and personal life changes, particularly his marriage to actress Angelina Jolie. Thornton and Jolie met on the set of "Pushing Tin" in 1999 and married in May 2000. They gained fame as an eccentric couple, wearing vials of each other's blood around their necks and living in a former residence of Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash. They also adopted a son from Cambodia. Thornton has been married five times in total.
In 2014, Thornton finally received a Golden Globe for his role as Lorne Malvo in the miniseries "Fargo." This role further showcased his talent for portraying villains and characters with psychological deviations. Thornton, who is known for his quirks, has a phobia of antique furniture and suffers from aerophobia and a fear of large crowds.
Apart from his acting career, Thornton enjoys attending St. Louis Cardinals basketball games and traveling in Europe. He considers Paris the best city on Earth. Despite his success in the film industry, Thornton has never actively sought fame. According to him, the most important thing is to simply enjoy life. Currently, fans can watch Thornton in the third season of the sitcom "The Big Bang Theory," where he portrays an elderly urologist named Lorvis who is aroused by any form of physical contact with women. In 2018, Thornton starred in the film "London Fields" alongside Amber Heard, Theo James, and Cara Delevingne.
Overall, Billy Bob Thornton's diverse talents as an actor, writer, director, and singer have made him a respected figure in the entertainment industry. His unique persona and ability to portray complex characters have contributed to his enduring popularity.