Billy Bob Thornton was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas on August 4, 1955 to Billy Ray (educator, coach; deceased) and Virginia (psychic). He has two younger brothers, Jimmy Don, born in 1958 and now deceased, and John David, born in 1969. He has been married 5 times and has 5 children: daughter Amanda (with Gatlin); sons William and Harry (both with Cherniak); son Maddox, adopted with Angelina Jolie; and daughter Bella with Connie Angland.

Billy Bob began his artistic career as a musician, playing drums and singing in a band called Tres Hombres, which once opened for 'Hank Williams Jr' . In 1981, he moved to Los Angeles with childhood friend Tom Epperson to pursue an acting and writing career. On the side, Billy Bob also sought work as a singer and drummer. He and Epperson tried for years to sell their scripts but no one was buying.

During those rough times, Billy Bob neglected his health and subsequently landed in the hospital with heart problems due to malnutrition. In 1992, Billy Bob starred in One False Move, a movie he co-wrote with Epperson. The team finally received attention because of this work, which was very well received in Hollywood. His popularity increased steadily, especially after Sling Blade which he wrote, directed and in which he starred.

Billy received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on October 7, 2004.


Has numerous tattoos, among them at least 6 on his arms (3 right, 3 left) and on his lower back/hip. 4/15/97: Ex-wife Pietra granted a restraining order against Thornton to keep him away from her and their children. He was honored by his hometown, where he's remembered as a milkshake-loving, drum-playing rock 'n' roller. "I had a Tastee-Freez stand before I got into politics," said Mayor Bill Scrimshire, who declared "Billy Bob Thornton Day" Tuesday. "When he was a kid in high school, he used to buy hamburgers and milkshakes from me. He was one of my Tastee-Freez kids." He and Dwight Yoakam have their own production company and are looking at producing movies and records together. Yoakam appeared opposite Thornton in Sling Blade (1996). Claimed in a "USA Today" interview that he has an intense phobia of antique furniture. This fear has been seen on screen in both Bandits (2001) and Sling Blade (1996). Agreed to Ethan Coen and Joel Coen's The Man Who Wasn't There (2001) without reading the script, out of respect for the Coen brothers' talent. Has stated that, of all the characters he has played, the one he enjoyed playing the most was Davy Crockett in The Alamo (2004). Has four children: Amanda (born late 1970s), William (born 1993), Harry James (born 1994), and Bella (born September 2004). His father is of Irish ancestry, while his mother is half Choctaw Indian and half Italian. Cousin of wrestlers Terry Funk and Dory Funk Jr.. In an interview, Thornton talked about his struggling actor years. At one point he was so poor all he could afford to eat were potatoes, which he would grill until they stuck to the pan. This consumption led to myocarditis, which led to an intense pain in his chest since he didn't have any potassium in his system. He was treated at a hospital, thanks to a kind doctor who was from Arkansas, his home state. At the time Thornton had no medical insurance and has remained grateful for the doctor's treatment. Ex-son-in-law of Jon Voight. His paternal grandfather, Otis Thornton, with whom he spent time in his childhood on a small shack in the woods, was a forest ranger. 2006: Narrated the St. Louis Cardinals World Series DVD. Brad Pitt is the adoptive father of Thornton's son Maddox with Angelina Jolie. Maddox's last name is Jolie-Pitt and Thornton is no longer involved in raising the child. Nephew of professional wrestler Dory Funk Sr.. In 2007, Forbes Magazine estimated his earnings for the year at $20 million. Was contacted about inducting his cousins the Funk brothers into the WWE Hall of fame but declined the offer. When Thornton and Angelina Jolie first married, the couple moved into the Beverly Hills home formerly owned by Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash (2000).