Billy Thornton Highlights

  • 2009: Joined an ensemble cast for the film adaptation of "The Informers"; based on a collection of short stories by Bret Easton Ellis
  • 2007: Played the title character in "Mr. Woodcock," the titular evil high school gym teacher who is dating the mother of one of his former students
  • 2007: Played a NASA astronaut who gives up his dream job to try and save his family farm in "The Astronaut Farmer"
  • 2006: Played a teacher of a confidence-building class in Todd Phillips' "School For Scoundrels"
  • 2005: Cast in the Walter Matthau role for Richard Linklater's remake of "The Bad News Bears"
  • 2005: Co-starred with John Cusack in Harold Ramis' dark comedy, "Ice Harvest"
  • 2004: Played a high school football coach in "Friday Night Lights"; based on the book by Pulitzer Prize winning H.G. Buzz Bissinger
  • 2004: Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
  • 2003: Played a chain smoking, criminal minded santa clause in "Bad Santa"; earned a Best Actor Golden Globe nomination
  • 2003: Starred as a parolee who returns back to the town for which he committed his crime in "Levity"
  • 2002: Co-starred with Natasha Richardson in the comedy "Waking Up in Reno"
  • 2001: Directed the film, "Daddy and Them"; also wrote and starred
  • 2001: Played the lead role in the Coen brothers' "The Man Who Wasn't There"
  • 2001: First solo album, Private Radio
  • 2001: Played a racist prison guard who falls for the black widow of an executed prisoner (played by Halle Berry) in Marc Forster's "Monster's Ball"
  • 2000: Co-wrote (with Epperson) the gothic thriller, "The Gift" starring Cate Blanchett
  • 2000: Directed the film adaptation of "All the Pretty Horses" with Matt Damon and Penélope Cruz
  • 1998: Re-teamed with Bill Paxton to play brothers in "A Simple Plan"; earned a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award nomination
  • 1998: Portrayed the James-Carville-like political advisor in Mike Nichols' "Primary Colors"
  • 1997: Played a reluctant religious convert in the Duvall-directed, "The Apostle"
  • 1996: TV debut as screenwriter, the HBO film "Don't Look Back"; also acted
  • 1996: Feature directorial debut, "Sling Blade"; also wrote and starred; earned Best Actor Oscar and SAG nominations
  • 1996: Co-wrote with Epperson, "A Family Thing"; starred James Earl Jones and Duvall
  • 1995: First asociation with Robert Duvall, "The Stars Fell on Henrietta"
  • 1994: Wrote and starred as Karl Childers in the short film, "Some Folks Call It a Sling Blade"
  • 1992: First produced screenplay (co-wrote with Tom Epperson), "One False Move"; also co-starred
  • 1992: Had a recurring role on the CBS sitcom, "Hearts Afire" (CBS) as Billy Bob Davis; first collaboration with John Ritter
  • 1989: TV series debut as actor, "The Outsiders" (FOX)
  • 1987: First created character of Karl Childers (the protagonist of "Sling Blade") for "The Man Who Broke 1,000 Chains" (HBO)
  • 1987: Appeared onstage in various productions as Karl Childers, refining the monologues and story
  • 1986: Made film debut in "Hunter's Blood"
  • 1983: Took acting classes in Los Angeles
  • 1963: Met writing partner Tom Epperson at age eight
  • Began acting as a high school student
  • Began performing career as a rock singer and drummer

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