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. His mother, a psychic, predicted he would work with Burt Reynolds. (It came true when he did three episodes, beginning in 1990, on CBS's Evening Shade. Pietra granted a restraining order against Thornton to keep him away from her and their children. [15 April 1997] In high school, Thornton played drums in a band called "Stone Cold Fever" and cranked out Creedence Clearwater Revival songs. 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." Gained about 50 pounds for his role as the auto mechanic in U Turn. 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. 22 September 2000 - Was treated for an unspecified "viral infection" at a Los Angeles hospital. 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 and Sling Blade. Angelina Jolie and Thornton adopted a Cambodian baby boy. Jolie took custody of the baby in Africa, where she is shooting Beyond Borders; her father, Jon Voight, told reporters at the 3/11 Academy Awards luncheon. Voight said he didn't know whether the couple had picked a name for the child. [10 March 2002] Agreed to Ethan Coen and Joel Coen's The Man Who Wasn't There without reading the script, out of respect for the Coen brothers' talent. Gave up smoking after completing The Man Who Wasn't There. Released own CD in 2000 - 'Private Radio' for Lost Highway Records. Has stated that, of all the characters he has played, the one he enjoyed playing the most was Davy Crockett in The Alamo. His fourth child, daughter Bella, weighed in at 6 lbs 1.5 oz. (with girlfriend Connie Angland) was born in September 2004. Has five children: Amanda (born late 1970s), William (born 1993), Harry James (born 1994), Maddox Chivan (born 5 August 2001; adopted) and Bella (born September 2004). Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame [October 7, 2004]. His father is of Irish ancestry, while his mother is half Choctaw Indian and half Italian. Owns a penthouse in Paris. Is the cousin of wrestlers: Terry Funk and Dory Funk Jr.. His character Willie from Bad Santa is reenacted by Eminem in the music video for Eminem's hit song "Just Lose It". In an interview, Thornton talked about his struggling actor years, at one point he was so poor that all he could afford to eat were potatoes, which he would grill till they stuck to the pan. This consumption lead 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 the hospital thankfully to a kind doctor who was from Arkansas, his home state. At the time, Thornton didn't have medical insurance and has remained grateful for the doctor's treatment. Ex-son-in-law of Marc Lawrence and Fanya Foss. Ex-son-in-law of Jon Voight Is a supporter of Liverpool Football Club (soccer team).