History of Billy Bob Thornton in Timeline
Billy Bob Thornton is a multi-talented American artist known for his work as an actor, filmmaker, singer, and songwriter. He gained international recognition with his film Sling Blade (1996), earning him an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and a nomination for Best Actor. He received another Oscar nomination for his supporting role in A Simple Plan (1998). Thornton's diverse filmography includes notable roles in One False Move, Tombstone, Dead Man, U Turn, Primary Colors, Armageddon, Monster's Ball, The Man Who Wasn't There, Intolerable Cruelty, Bad Santa, and Friday Night Lights. His career showcases a range of performances, establishing him as a prominent figure in the film industry.
August 4, 1955: Birth of Billy Bob Thornton
Billy Bob Thornton was born on August 4, 1955, in Hot Springs, Arkansas, to Virginia Roberta and William Raymond "Billy Ray" Thornton. His father was a high school history teacher and basketball coach, and his mother was a self-proclaimed psychic.
1983: Tres Hombres album release
In 1983, Billy Bob Thornton's blues rock band, Tres Hombres, released their only studio album, Gunslinger, on Trigger Records.
September 1986: Death of a Gypsy album release
In September 1986, Billy Bob Thornton recorded the studio album Death of a Gypsy with the South African rock band Jack Hammer. Thornton had joined the band in 1985.
1992: Role in One False Move
In 1992, Billy Bob Thornton co-wrote and played the role of a villain in the film One False Move, showcasing his talents as both a writer and actor in a critically acclaimed film.
1993: Film Role in Tombstone
Billy Bob Thornton appeared in the film Tombstone, released in 1993, where he played a supporting role in this western classic.
1995: Film Role in Dead Man
In 1995, Billy Bob Thornton appeared in the film Dead Man, continuing to build his film career with roles in diverse genres.
1996: Release of Sling Blade
In 1996, Billy Bob Thornton gained international acclaim with the release of the independent drama film Sling Blade. Thornton wrote, directed, and starred in the film, which earned him an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and an Oscar nomination for Best Actor.
1997: Film Role in U Turn
Billy Bob Thornton took on a role in the 1997 film U Turn, further establishing his presence in the film industry with this performance.
1998: Academy Award Nomination for A Simple Plan
In 1998, Billy Bob Thornton was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film A Simple Plan. This marked another significant milestone in Thornton's acting career.
2001: Release of Private Radio album
In 2001, Billy Bob Thornton released his album Private Radio on Lost Highway Records. He also contributed to a tribute album with a cover of the Johnny Cash classic "Ring of Fire," alongside Earl Scruggs.
2001: Multiple Film Roles and Directing
In 2001, Billy Bob Thornton had starring roles in three films: Monster's Ball, Bandits, and The Man Who Wasn't There. He also directed the film Daddy and Them, showcasing his versatility in the film industry.
2003: Leading Role in Bad Santa
In 2003, Billy Bob Thornton starred in the black comedy film Bad Santa. His performance as an unconventional Santa Claus received widespread recognition, enhancing his reputation in the comedy genre.
2004: Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
On October 7, 2004, Billy Bob Thornton received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, honoring his contributions to the entertainment industry.
2007: Formation of The Boxmasters
In 2007, Billy Bob Thornton formed the band The Boxmasters with J.D. Andrew, marking a new venture in his music career.
April 8, 2009: Controversial CBC Radio One appearance
On April 8, 2009, Billy Bob Thornton and his band The Boxmasters appeared on CBC Radio One's program Q. The interview gained international attention due to Thornton's unintelligible and discourteous behavior towards host Jian Ghomeshi. He later criticized Canadian audiences, leading to the cancellation of the band's Canadian tour dates.
October 22, 2014: Marriage to Connie Angland
On October 22, 2014, Billy Bob Thornton married Connie Angland in Los Angeles. Despite previously expressing doubts about marriage, Thornton decided to wed Angland, with whom he has a daughter.
2014: Golden Globe win and TV appearances
In 2014, Billy Bob Thornton portrayed Lorne Malvo, a sociopathic hitman, in the FX miniseries Fargo, inspired by the 1996 film of the same name. His performance earned him a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Mini-Series. Additionally, he made a guest appearance on The Big Bang Theory as a middle-aged urologist and played a prosecutor in the legal drama The Judge.
October 13, 2016: Goliath series premiere
On October 13, 2016, the television series Goliath premiered on Amazon Prime Video. Billy Bob Thornton starred as a formerly brilliant lawyer who is now washed up and alcoholic. The series was produced by Amazon Studios.
2017: Stand Down music video
In 2017, Billy Bob Thornton starred in the music video Stand Down by Kario Salem, known musically as K.O. The video won the Best Music Video award at the Toronto Shorts International Film Festival and amassed 13 million views on Facebook.
2020: Amanda Brumfield's release from prison
In 2020, Amanda Brumfield, Billy Bob Thornton's daughter from his first marriage, was released from prison after a deal was reached with prosecutors. She had been sentenced in 2008 for the death of a friend's child, but representation from the Innocence Project of Florida argued the child's death was accidental.
September 24, 2021: Final season of Goliath released
On September 24, 2021, Amazon Prime Video released the final season of the television series Goliath, in which Billy Bob Thornton played the lead role.