Early life
Thornton was born in Arkansas to Billy Ray Thornton, a high school history teacher and basketball coach, and Virginia R. Faulkner, a psychic. Thornton has three younger brothers, Jimmy Don, born in 1958 and now deceased, Jim Bean, and John David, born in 1969. 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. He attended Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, where he studied psychology but dropped out after two semesters. Thornton is the cousin of noted professional wrestlers Dory Funk, Jr. and Terry Funk, which Terry Funk notes in his autobiography Terry Funk: More Than Hardcore.
In the late 1980s, Thornton settled in Los Angeles to pursue his career as an actor alongside future writing partner Tom Epperson. Thornton initially had a difficult time succeeding as an actor, and worked in telemarketing, off-shore wind farming and fast food management while auditioning for acting jobs. He also played drums and sang with South African rock legend Piet Botha's 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.
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 brought him to the attention of critics. 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. The film, an expansion of a short film titled Some Folks Call It a Sling Blade, told the story of Karl Childers, a mentally retarded man. Sling Blade garnered international acclaim. 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. Thornton adapted the book All the Pretty Horses into a 2000 film with the same name, starring Matt Damon and Penélope Cruz. Also in 2000 he and Tom Epperson wrote 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 entitled 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.[2] He also performed the Warren Zevon song The Wind on the tribute album Enjoy Every Sandwich: Songs of Warren Zevon. Thornton also recorded a cover of the Johnny Cash classic Ring of Fire for the Oxford American magazine's Southern Music CD in 2001. As of September 2006, Thornton is working on another album.[3]
Thornton's screen persona has been described by the press as that of a "tattooed, hirsute man's man".[1] He appeared in several major film roles following Sling Blade 's success, including 1998's Armageddon and A Simple Plan, 2001's Monster's Ball and 2004's The Alamo, in which he played Davy Crockett. 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"[1] and "they [casting directors] call me up when they need an asshole. It's kinda that simple... you know how narrow the imagination in this business can be".[4] His most recent role is 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.[1] His upcoming roles include The Astronaut Farmer, a drama scheduled for a February 23, 2007 release; another comedy, Mr. Woodcock, in which Thornton will play a sadistic gym teacher; and the drama Peace Like A River, which is scheduled to begin filming in early 2007. Thornton has also expressed an interest in directing another film, possibly a period piece about cave explorer Floyd Collins,[5] 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.
Personal life
Thornton has stated on several occasions that he has obsessive-compulsive disorder; he and rock singer Warren Zevon became close friends after sharing their common experiences with the disorder.[6] He is known for various idiosyncratic behaviors, well-documented in interviews with the actor. Among these is a phobia of antique furniture, something shared by the Dwight Yoakam character in the Thornton-penned Sling Blade. That trait was also added to Thornton's character in the 2001 film Bandits. Additionally, he has stated that he has a fear of certain types of silverware,[7] a trait which was included for his character in 2001's Monster's Ball, in which his character requests a plastic spoon each time he consumes his daily bowl of chocolate ice cream.
Thornton lives in Los Angeles. He has been married five times, perhaps most notably to actress Angelina Jolie. The pair were known for their eccentric behavior, including reports that they wore vials of each others' blood around their necks; he later clarified this to be that the two of them wore small lockets that contained a drop of blood from each of them inside.[1][8] Thornton and Jolie adopted a child from Cambodia renamed Maddox. Jolie's divorce petition named the child as being both hers and Thornton's offspring and requested the Court grant her custody and Thornton reasonable parenting time.[9] He is the father of four other children: Amanda Spence with his first wife, Melissa Gatlin; William Langston and Harry James with his fourth wife, Pietra Cherniak; and Bella, with Connie Angland, who is Thornton's current girlfriend. Thornton has also stated that he will likely not marry again; he has specified that he believes that marriage "doesn't work" for him.[1]
On September 11, 2003, Thornton had received word that his ex-Hearts Afire star, John Ritter had passed away, while filming the last movie Bad Santa, which was dedicated to him. He along with Markie Post attended Ritter's funeral four days after his co-star's death.
God
Billy Bob Thornton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My eyes are dark and hollow
It's all because I'm missing you
It's getting hard for me to swallow
If magic doesn't really come
Why did you say it did?
If it's just a fantasy for some
Why did you take me by the hand
If you knew you could let it go?
Why did you lead me through that land
If it was just some kind of show?
I guess it doesn't really matter
What's not true is just not true
I guess you'll just keep getting fatter
Off the ones who are brand new
I've got this crazy feeling still
You'll live in a black hole
There'll be something there that you can't fill
Only this time it'll be your soul
Yet through all of this doubt
My mind still drifts out on a land
And you've figured it all out
And there's a child holding your hand
The lyrics of Billy Bob Thornton's song "God" are highly introspective and contemplative in nature. The song reflects the artist's sentiments of being deeply hurt and let down by a person he had put faith in. Thornton uses vivid metaphors to describe his pain and frustration at being left with nothing but an empty void. He conveys his sense of loss through lines like "My bones are starting to show through" and "My eyes are dark and hollow."
Thornton also touches upon themes of faith and the conflict that arises when one's beliefs are challenged. He questions the validity of his own faith and asks why people make false promises in the name of magic. He expresses his doubts and confusion by saying "If it's just a fantasy for some, what do I tell the kids?" The song also explores the sense of betrayal felt when someone leads you down a path, only to abandon you midway. Thornton wonders why he was taken through that path if it was just meant to be a show. The lyrics also hint at consequences for those who hurt others for their own gain, as Thornton states that the offender will never find fulfillment, and their soul will be left empty.
Overall, the song is a powerful reflection of the human condition and the challenges we face in life. It conveys a strongly emotional message about the effects of betrayal and the struggle to hold on to faith and belief in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
My bones are starting to show through
I am becoming weaker and more fragile due to my emotional pain and the physical toll it's taking on my body.
My eyes are dark and hollow
I am emotionally drained and depleted, so much so that it's showing physically.
It's all because I'm missing you
My sadness and despair are a direct result of my longing for you and the emptiness I feel without you.
It's getting hard for me to swallow
The pain and sadness I'm experiencing is becoming more and more overwhelming and difficult to deal with.
If magic doesn't really come
If true love and happiness are not real or achievable...
Why did you say it did?
...then why did you make me believe it was by telling me otherwise?
If it's just a fantasy for some
If love and happiness are only a reality for certain people and not for me...
What do I tell the kids?
...then how can I explain this to the children or anyone else who doesn't understand?
Why did you take me by the hand
Why did you lead me on and make me believe that you would be there for me?
If you knew you could let it go?
If you knew you were going to leave me and break my heart anyway?
Why did you lead me through that land
Why did you drag me through the emotional journey of falling in love and then leaving me?
If it was just some kind of show?
If it was just an act or game to you?
I guess it doesn't really matter
I suppose it's pointless to argue or try to make sense of your actions or words now.
What's not true is just not true
At this point, it's clear that what we had was not real or genuine.
I guess you'll just keep getting fatter
I imagine you'll keep gaining more material possessions, but they won't fulfill you or bring you true happiness.
Off the ones who are brand new
You'll continue to use and take advantage of people who are naive and unexperienced.
I've got this crazy feeling still
I still have a gut feeling that something is not right or resolved between us.
You'll live in a black hole
You'll continue to suffer emotionally and spiritually, feeling empty and unfulfilled.
There'll be something there that you can't fill
There will always be a void or emptiness that you can't fill, no matter how hard you try or how many material possessions you acquire.
Only this time it'll be your soul
This time, the emptiness and pain will come from the deepest part of you – your soul.
Yet through all of this doubt
Despite all of my confusion and uncertainty...
My mind still drifts out on a land
...my mind still wanders to thoughts of you and our past.
And you've figured it all out
I imagine that you've moved on and are happy without me.
And there's a child holding your hand
That you have started a new family with someone else, and have found love and happiness with them.
Contributed by Tyler K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Vineet Nanda
People don't understand that this is a reality show with the camera-guy following Bill Bob Thorton everywhere all the time.
Ethan Daniel
Exactly. 😂 Like, that’s literally how Billy is in real life. He’s not even acting at that point. He’s just being himself lol. 😂😂😂 I love Billy. He’s the goat. 🐐
Original Unoriginal
@Ethan Danielwonder if that person with the OP, is still alive? 😬😬😔😔😔🙏🙏
Original Unoriginal
@Ethan Danielwhat does GOAT mean ? You are supposedly "praising" BBT, then comparing him to a goat !???
😨🤯🤯🤯🤔🤔
Ethan Daniel
@Original Unoriginal it means and stands for “Greatest Of All Time”. That’s why people call Michael Jordan “the GOAT”.
Neha Jain
This show is gold. Billy and Arianda rock and even Cooper as the villian.
Jagr Redfield
I dont think Billy bob thorton ever needed to rehearse for this show. I'm pretty sure they just told him to show up and be himself
Michael Delvalle
i think he said it was the character that was closest to him in real life than any other hes ever played
Jagr Redfield
@Michael Delvalle proves my point. Might be why he is so damn good at this role
Alec Jones
What's funny is that they originally wanted Kevin Costner for this role apparently