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Billy Bob Thornton

Acting

Born August 4, 1955 · Hot Springs, Arkansas, USA

Also known as Reginald Perry

Biography

Billy Bob Thornton (born August 4, 1955) is an American actor, screenwriter, director and musician. Thornton gained early recognition as a cast member on the CBS sitcom Hearts Afire and in several early 1990s films including On Deadly Ground and Tombstone. In the mid-1990s, after writing, directing, and starring in the independent film Sling Blade, he won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. He appeared in several major film roles following Sling Blade 's success, including 1998's Armageddon and A Simple Plan. During the late 1990s, Thornton began a career as a singer-songwriter. He has released three albums and was the singer of a blues rock band.

Awards & recognition

  • Golden Globe AwardBest Actor – Motion Picture Drama · 2017
  • Golden Globe AwardBest Actor – Motion Picture Drama · 2015
  • Academy AwardBest Writing, Adapted Screenplay · 1997
  • Edgar Awards
  • Saturn Awards
Show all 10 awards →
  • star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
  • Writers Guild of America Award
  • Academy AwardBest Supporting Actor · 1999 · nominated
  • Academy AwardBest Actor · 1997 · nominated
  • Academy AwardBest Writing, Adapted Screenplay · nominated

Filmography50+ titles

1883

2021as Marshal Jim Courtright

Harley Quinn

2019as Billy Bob Thornton (voice)

Fargo

2014as Narrator (voice)

Blood In, Blood Out

1993as Lightning

Landman

2024as Tommy Norris

The Big Bang Theory

2007as Oliver Lorvis

Hearts Afire

as Billy Bob Davis

Classic Albums

1997as Self

Goliath

2016as Billy McBride

Tombstone

1993as Johnny Tyler

Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night

1988as Self - Audience Member

ZZ Top: That Little Ol' Band from Texas

2019as Self

The Man Who Wasn't There

2001as Ed Crane

Immediate Family

2022as Self

King of the Hill

1997as Boyce Hubert (voice)

The Judge

2014as Dwight Dickham

Dead Man

1995as Big George Drakoulious

A Simple Plan

1998as Jacob Mitchell

Love Actually

2003as The US President

CatDog

1998as CatDog's Father (voice)

Matlock

1986as Pawnshop Clerk

American Dad!

2005as Billy Bob Thornton (voice)

The Gray Man

2022as Fitzroy

Friday Night Lights

2004as Coach Gary Gaines

Knots Landing

1979as Timberman

Saturday Night Live

1975as Self - Host

Monster's Ball

2001as Hank Grotowski

Armageddon

1998as Dan Truman

Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead

2015as Self - Actor / Director

Puss in Boots

2011as Jack (voice)

Bad Santa

2003as Willie

U Turn

1997as Darrell

One False Move

1991as Ray Malcolm

The Electric State

2025as Voice (uncredited)

Untouchable

2019as Self (archive footage)

Eagle Eye

2008as Thomas Morgan

Classic Albums: Frank Zappa - Apostrophe (') Over-Nite Sensation

2007as Self

The Gift

2000Screenplay

A Family Thing

1996Writer

Standing on the Shoulders of Kitties

2024as Self

The Kelly Clarkson Show

2019as Self - Guest

Faster

2010as Cop

The Daily Show

1996as Self

Indecent Proposal

1993as Day Tripper

For the Boys

1991as Marine Sergeant, Korea

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

2016as General Hollanek

Parkland

2013as Forrest Sorrels

The Astronaut Farmer

2006as Charles Farmer

Bandits

2001as Terry Lee Collins

Primary Colors

1998as Richard Jemmons