Billy Bob Thornton was born on August 4, 1955 in Hot Springs,
Arkansas.
Though a reputable actor and director, initially Thornton
began his artistic career as a musician; playing drums and
singing for the band "Tres Hombres", which once
opened for Hank Williams Jr .
Known for his uncanny ways, perhaps Thornton's unconventionality
is most clearly defined in both his publicly obscure relationship
to ex-wife Angelina Jolie (i.e. the vile of blood, etc), and
his statement to USA Today that he has an intense phobia "of
antique furniture". Adhering to the testimony, Thornton
has literally confronted his peculiar fear in both 1996's
"Sling Blade" and 2001's "Bandits".
Perhaps his peculiarity stems from en equally unique family.
Billy Bob Thornton's mother, a psychic, predicted he would
work with Burt Reynolds. Whether her prediction was fatefully
realized, or whether it prompted Thornton to pursue accordingly,
Billy Bob would eventually work with Reynolds, starring alongside
the actor in several episode's of 1990's series, "Evening
Shade". In 1992 Billy Bob co-wrote and starred in the
film "One False Move" alongside Epperson.
In 1993 Thornton would appear in the classic western comedy,
"Tombstone" as the faro dealer, Johnny Tyler. Three
years later Thornton would star in the 1996 smash "Sling
Blade"; which was also Billy Bob's directorial debut.
The following year Billy Bob would gain around fifty pounds
to appear as the greasy auto mechanic in 1997's "U Turn".
Casting Penelope Cruz and Matt Damon for the leads, Thornton
produced a slightly more poignant film, "All the Pretty
Horses" (2000). A year later, without having even read
the script, Billy Bob Thornton agreed to both the script and
the production of "The Man Who Wasn't There" (2001).
His reasoning allegedly, was that he simply respected Coen's
talent.
On October 7, 2004 Billy Bob Thornton received a star on
the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Billy Bob Thornton's other notable credits include...
