Billy Bob Thornton: Difference between revisions
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He has two younger brothers, Jimmy Don, (who died abruptly of a heart attack in 1988 while walking down a street in San Francisco, and John David, who resides in Arkansas. Jimmy Don Thornton wrote a number of songs, two of which--"Island Avenue" and "Emily"--Thornton has recorded on his solo albums. |
He has two younger brothers, Jimmy Don, (who died abruptly of a heart attack in 1988 while walking down a street in San Francisco, and John David, who resides in Arkansas. Jimmy Don Thornton wrote a number of songs, two of which--"Island Avenue" and "Emily"--Thornton has recorded on his solo albums. |
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==Daughter Arrested== |
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The daughter of Oscar Award-winner Billy Bob Thornton is in the Orange County Jail Thursday morning, facing first degree murder charges. |
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On Wednesday, a grand jury indicted Amanda Brumfield on murder charges in the death of her friend's one-year old daughter. |
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In May, Brumfield was arrested in Ocoee for child neglect when the little girl died while in her care. Brumfield had initially told police that Olivia Garcia died from after fall. |
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Neighbors were shocked to hear about the new charges. |
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"I don't like to see that brought against anyone unless the whole story is bought out but it's a scary situation," commented a neighbor. |
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Brumfield also faces aggravated child abuse charges and aggravated manslaughter charges. She is being held without bond. |
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==Filmography== |
==Filmography== |
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*[http://www.efilmcritic.com/feature.php?feature=2073 "Set For Launch: A Video Interview with the Makers of 'The Astronaut Farmer'"] — eFilmCritic.com video interviews with Billy Bob Thornton, Virginia Madsen and the Polish Brothers |
*[http://www.efilmcritic.com/feature.php?feature=2073 "Set For Launch: A Video Interview with the Makers of 'The Astronaut Farmer'"] — eFilmCritic.com video interviews with Billy Bob Thornton, Virginia Madsen and the Polish Brothers |
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*[http://www.stumpedmagazine.com/Interviews/billy-bob-thornton.html Stumped? Interview] |
*[http://www.stumpedmagazine.com/Interviews/billy-bob-thornton.html Stumped? Interview] |
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*[http://www.wftv.com/news/19855496/detail.html] |
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{{Lifetime|1955|LIVING|Thornton, Billy Bob}} |
{{Lifetime|1955|LIVING|Thornton, Billy Bob}} |
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Revision as of 13:28, 25 June 2009
Billy Bob Thornton | |
|---|---|
 Thornton and his band, The Boxmasters, in concert at Slims in San Francisco, California, September 2007 | |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, Screenwriter, Director, Musician (Vocals/Drums) |
| Years active | 1987–present |
| Spouse(s) | Melissa Lee Gatlin (1978-1980) Toni Lawrence (1986-1988) Cynda Williams (1990-1992) Pietra Dawn Cherniak (1993-1997) Angelina Jolie (2000-2003) |
| Website | http://www.billybobthornton.net/ |
Billy Bob Thornton[1] (born August 4, 1955) is an American actor, director, musician, playwright and screenwriter. His rise to fame began in the mid-1990s, after writing, directing, and starring in the film Sling Blade, for which he won an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Early life
Thornton was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas,[1] the son of Virginia Roberta (née Faulkner), an alleged psychic, and William Raymond (Billy Ray) Thornton, a high-school history teacher and basketball coach.[1] He is the oldest of three sons. Thornton lived in both Alpine, Arkansas and Malvern, Arkansas during his childhood, and also spent time with his grandfather, Otis Thornton, a forest ranger, in a small shack in the woods.[citation needed] He was raised a Methodist.[2] A good high school baseball player, he tried out for the Kansas City Royals, but during his first try at-bat, the pitcher threw a wild ball that broke Thornton's collar bone.[3] After a short period laying asphalt for the Arkansas State Transportation Department, he attended Henderson State University, in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, to pursue studies in psychology, but dropped out after two semesters.
In the late 1980s, Thornton settled in Los Angeles, to pursue his career as an actor, with future writing partner Tom Epperson.[1] Thornton initially had a difficult time succeeding as an actor, and worked in telemarketing, offshore wind farming,[3] and fast-food management between auditioning for acting jobs. He also played drums and sang with South African rock band Jack Hammer. While Thornton worked as a waiter for an industry event, he served film director Billy Wilder and struck up a conversation with Wilder, who advised Thornton to consider a career as a screenwriter,[1] for which he eventually won an Oscar in the category of best screenplay.
Career
Thornton first came to semi-prominence as a cast member on the CBS sitcom Hearts Afire with John Ritter and Markie Post. His role as the villain in 1992's One False Move, which he also co-wrote, brought him to the attention of critics.[1] He also had small roles in the early 1990s films Indecent Proposal, On Deadly Ground, Bound by Honor, Grey Knight, and Tombstone.
Thornton put Wilder's advice to good use, and went on to write, direct and star in the independent film Sling Blade, which was released in 1996.[1] The film, an expansion of a short film titled Some Folks Call It a Sling Blade, introduced the story of Karl Childers, a mentally handicapped man imprisoned for a gruesome and seemingly inexplicable murder. Sling Blade garnered international acclaim.[1] Thornton's screenplay earned him an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, a Writers Guild of America Award, and an Edgar Award, while his performance received Oscar and Screen Actors Guild nominations for Best Actor.[1] In 1998, he portrayed the James-Carville-like Richard Jemmons in Primary Colors. Thornton adapted the book All the Pretty Horses into a 2000 film with the same name, starring Matt Damon and Penélope Cruz. The negative experience (he was forced to cut more than an hour) led to his decision to never direct another film (a subsequent release, Daddy and Them, had been filmed earlier). Also in 2000, an early script which he and Tom Epperson wrote together was made into The Gift which starred Cate Blanchett, Hilary Swank, Keanu Reeves, Katie Holmes and Giovanni Ribisi.
During the late 1990s, Thornton, who has had a life-long love for music, began a career as a singer-songwriter. He released a roots rock album titled Private Radio in 2001, and two more albums, The Edge of the World (2003) and Hobo (2005). Thornton was the singer of a blues rock band named Tres Hombres. Guitarist Billy Gibbons referred to the band as "The best little cover band in Texas", and Thornton bears a tattoo with the band's name on it.[4] He performed the Warren Zevon song The Wind on the tribute album Enjoy Every Sandwich: Songs of Warren Zevon. Thornton recorded a cover of the Johnny Cash classic "Ring of Fire" for the Oxford American magazine's Southern Music CD in 2001.
Thornton's screen persona has been described by the press as that of a "tattooed, hirsute man's man".[5] He appeared in several major film roles following Sling Blade 's success, including 1998's Armageddon and A Simple Plan. In 2001 he had starring roles in three hollywood pictures, Monster's Ball, Bandits and The Man Who Wasn't There, for which he received many awards. He played a malicious mall Santa Claus in 2003's Bad Santa, a black comedy that performed well at the box office and established Thornton as a leading comic actor. Thornton has stated that, following Bad Santa's success, audiences "like to watch [him] play that kind of guy,"[5] and "they [casting directors] call [him] up when they need an asshole. It's kinda that simple... you know how narrow the imagination in this business can be."[6] In 2004 he played Davy Crockett in The Alamo. He appeared in the comic film School for Scoundrels, which was released on September 29, 2006. In the film, he plays a self-help doctor; the role was written specifically for Thornton.[5] More recent films include The Astronaut Farmer, a drama released on February 23, 2007, and the comedy, Mr. Woodcock, in which Thornton plays a sadistic gym teacher. In September 2008, Thornton starred in the big brother action movie Eagle Eye along side Shia LaBeouf and Michelle Monaghan. He will next star in the drama Peace Like a River. Thornton has also expressed an interest in directing another film, possibly a period piece about cave explorer Floyd Collins,[7] based on the book Trapped! The Story of Floyd Collins by Robert K. Murray and Roger Brucker.
Thornton received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on October 7, 2004.
CBC interview and Canadian tour
Thornton gained additional notoriety on April 8, 2009 when he and his musical group The Boxmasters appeared on the CBC Radio One program Q, hosted by Jian Ghomeshi. While other band members answered questions without incident, many of Thornton's responses were "I don't know" responses to basic questions about how long the band had been together, or long-winded non-sequiturs like the musical influence that Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine had on him as a child. Mid-interview, Thornton stated that he had "instructed" the show's producers to not ask questions about his career as screenwriter and actor.[8][9] Ghomeshi had mentioned Thornton’s acting credentials in the introduction. Thornton joked that Canadian audiences were like “mashed potatoes without the gravy" in an interview which received wide criticism.[10][11] The following night, Thornton's band opened for Willie Nelson at Toronto's Massey Hall. When Thornton explained mid-set he liked Canadians but not the CBC radio host, boos and catcalls erupted.[12] Nevertheless, Thornton and his band enjoyed two standing ovations from the same audience at the end of that show. On April 10 Thornton announced The Boxmasters would not be playing with Nelson during concerts scheduled in Canada due to members of the crew and band having the flu.[13]
Personal life
Thornton has freqently disclosed that he has obsessive–compulsive disorder.[citation needed] He and rock singer Warren Zevon became close friends after sharing their common experiences with the disorder.[14]) Various idiosyncratic behaviors have been well-documented in interviews with the actor; among these is a phobia of antique furniture — a disorder shared by the Dwight Yoakam character in the Thornton-penned Sling Blade, and by Thornton's own character in the 2001 film Bandits.[15] Additionally, he has stated that he has a fear of certain types of silverware, a trait assumed by his character, Hank Grotowski, in 2001's Monster's Ball, in which Grotowski insists on a plastic spoon for his daily bowl of chocolate ice cream.[15][16] In a 2004 interview with The Independent, Thornton explained: "It's just that I won't use real silver. You know, like the big, old, heavy-ass forks and knives, I can't do that. It's the same thing as the antique furniture. I just don't like old stuff. I'm creeped out by it, and I have no explanation why...I don't have a phobia about American antiques, it's mostly French — you know, like the big, old, gold-carved chairs with the velvet cushions. The Louis XIV type. That's what creeps me out. I can spot the imitation antiques a mile off. They have a different vibe. Not as much dust."[17] In addition to his aversion to silver cutlery, velvet, and "creepy, castle-y stuff," Thornton confesses that "pieces from 1700 and 1800 France and England really freak me out, especially harpsichords."[18][17]
Thornton lives in Los Angeles. He has been married five times, most notably to actress Angelina Jolie. The pair were known for their eccentric behavior, which reportedly included wearing vials of each others' blood around their necks; Thornton later clarified that the "vials" were, instead, two small lockets, each containing only a single drop of blood.[5][19]
Thornton and Jolie adopted a child from Cambodia whom they named Maddox. Jolie's divorce petition defined the child as both her and Thornton's, and requested the Court grant her custody and Thornton reasonable visitation.[20]
Thornton is the biological father of four children: (with his first wife, Melissa Gatlin) Amanda Spence[21], born June 30, 1979, (with his fourth wife, Pietra Cherniak) William Langston, born June 27, 1993, and Harry James, born June 19, 1994, and (with current girlfriend, Connie Angland) Bella, born September 22, 2004. Thornton has also stated that he will likely not marry again; he has specified that he believes marriage "doesn't work" for him.
He has two younger brothers, Jimmy Don, (who died abruptly of a heart attack in 1988 while walking down a street in San Francisco, and John David, who resides in Arkansas. Jimmy Don Thornton wrote a number of songs, two of which--"Island Avenue" and "Emily"--Thornton has recorded on his solo albums.
Daughter Arrested
The daughter of Oscar Award-winner Billy Bob Thornton is in the Orange County Jail Thursday morning, facing first degree murder charges.
On Wednesday, a grand jury indicted Amanda Brumfield on murder charges in the death of her friend's one-year old daughter.
In May, Brumfield was arrested in Ocoee for child neglect when the little girl died while in her care. Brumfield had initially told police that Olivia Garcia died from after fall.
Neighbors were shocked to hear about the new charges.
"I don't like to see that brought against anyone unless the whole story is bought out but it's a scary situation," commented a neighbor.
Brumfield also faces aggravated child abuse charges and aggravated manslaughter charges. She is being held without bond.
Filmography
Other screen credits
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | One False Move | Writer | Nominated — Independent Spirit Award for Best Screenplay |
| 1994 | Some Folks Call It a Sling Blade | Writer | |
| 1996 | A Family Thing | Writer | Humanitas Prize |
| Sling Blade | Director/Writer | Academy Award for Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay) Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Motion Picture Screenplay National Board of Review Award for Special Achievement in Filmmaking Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature Writers Guild of America Award for Best Adapted Screenplay Nominated — Chlotrudis Award for Best Director Nominated — Satellite Award for Best Original Screenplay | |
| Don't Look Back | Story and teleplay | ||
| 2000 | All the Pretty Horses | Director/Producer | |
| The Gift | Writer | Nominated — Saturn Award for Best Writing | |
| 2001 | Camouflage | Story and screenplay | as Reginald Perry |
| Daddy and Them | Director/Writer |
Discography
For albums and songs recorded by Thornton's band, see The Boxmasters#Discography.
- Private Radio (CD) - Universal Records - 2001
- Earl Scruggs And Friends (CD) - MCA Records - 2001
- The Edge of the World (CD) - Sanctuary Records - 2003
- Hobo (CD) - Big Deal Records - 2005
- Beautiful Door (CD) - New Door Records - 2007
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Billy Bob Thornton". Inside the Actors Studio. Season 8. Episode 18. 2002-08-18.
{{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter|serieslink=ignored (|series-link=suggested) (help) - ^ "Billy Bob Thornton, Astronaut Farmer". BeliefNet.com.
- ^ a b "On the Move: Billy Bob Thornton". The Times. 2007-09-23.
- ^ "Billy Bob's Music". BillyBobThornton.net. Retrieved 2006-09-24.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dateformat=ignored (help) - ^ a b c d "Billy Bob Hollywood's go-to guy". JAM! Showbiz. Retrieved 2006-09-24.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dateformat=ignored (help) - ^ "School is in session". Daily News. Retrieved 2006-09-24.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dateformat=ignored (help) - ^ "Interview with "School for Scoundrels" Star Billy Bob Thornton". About.com. Retrieved 2006-09-25.
- ^ "Thornton obnoxious in CBC interview". UPI. 2009-04-09.
- ^ "Thornton clashes with radio host". BBC. 2009-04-09.
- ^ "Billy Bob Thornton does a Joaquin Phoenix on Canadian radio". The Times. 2009-04-09.
- ^ Kreps, Daniel (2009-04-08). "Billy Bob Thornton Attempts To Outdo Joaquin Phoenix In CBC Interview". Rolling Stone.
- ^ Wallace, Kenyon (2009-04-10). "Billy Bob not done with the barbs". The Star.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|coauthor=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Marlow, Iain (2009-04-10). "Billy Bob ends Canadian tour". The Star.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|coauthor=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ I'll Sleep When I'm Dead: The Dirty Life and Times of Warren Zevon
- ^ a b "Billy Bob's Fear Of Spoons". Cinema.com. Retrieved 2006-09-24.
- ^ "Monster's Ball screenplay transcript". Script-o-rama.com. Retrieved 2008-05-30.
- ^ a b "Interview with Billy Bob Thornton: Acting very strange". Independent.co.uk. 2004-09-03. Retrieved 2008-05-30.
- ^ Muldoon, Beth (2002-01-16). "Who's afraid of the big bad FEET?". TheBatt.com. Retrieved 2008-05-30.
- ^ "What I've Learned: Billy Bob Thornton".
- ^ "Angelina Jolie's Petition for Divorce from Billy Bob Thornton". Smokinggun.com. 2000-05-24. Retrieved 2007-03-29.
- ^ {cite news | title = Report: Thornton's daughter charged in kid's death | work = Associated Press | date = June 1, 2009 | url = http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5itG2Mv5MMCqP_tPDMhDmiKCWNetwD98HHEG80 | accessdate = 2009-06-01}} Also known as Amanda Brumfield
Further reading
- Pringle, G (2007-09-23). "On the move: Billy Bob Thornton". Driving. The Sunday Times. Retrieved 2007-09-25.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help)
External links
- Billy Bob Thornton at IMDb
- Billy Bob Thornton official site
- Billy Bob Thornton attacks CBC Radio Host
- Six Degrees of Swampland, Billy Bob Thornton
- Swampland: GRITZ Billy Bob Thornton Interview 2008
- Alamo SentryInterview with Thornton regarding his role as David Crockett.
- Billy Bob Thornton interview
- Billy Bob Thornton Radio Interview - September 27, 2005 with Chris Comer & Rob Ervin
- "Set For Launch: A Video Interview with the Makers of 'The Astronaut Farmer'" — eFilmCritic.com video interviews with Billy Bob Thornton, Virginia Madsen and the Polish Brothers
- Stumped? Interview
- [1]
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- Living people
- LIVING deaths
- American film actors
- American film directors
- American male singers
- American screenwriters
- American voice actors
- American Christians
- Actors from Arkansas
- Best Adapted Screenplay Academy Award winners
- Edgar Award winners
- People from Hot Springs, Arkansas
- People from Malvern, Arkansas
- Writers Guild of America Award winners