Billy Bob Thornton Was Told He's "Too Ugly To Be A Leading Man, Too Pretty To Be A Character Actor"

[@MoonGoddessStarsAreMine]

Literally the nicest man on the face of the earth. He was a regular at the record store I worked at in L.A. and he would always share interesting tidbits about his life whenever he came in. I got to go to a film set and attend a premiere thanks to him. So glad to see he’s still working steadily - he deserves every bit of his continued success!❤

[@debmc2291]

How cool!!

[@lisabowden1679]

❤❤

[@stanlynch2009]

Didn''t see his interview on Q TV?

[@redrobotmonkey]

He was not so nice in the interview for studio Q, he acted like a child.

[@360dom360]

Lol unless you ask him about his acting career when he wants to talk about being in a band

[@ricadaripper2764]

He looks like the fourtune-teller in the Zoltar machine in the movie Big.

[@moniqueengleman873]

😂😂😂😂

[@roypaul4104]

Haha my thoughts exactly. I wish for a bit of Jolie!!😂

[@mandcbruce]

Johnny Depp's brother from another mother!!😂

[@BigBadJerryRogers]

Baldness is a shame that needs to be hidden from view however possible

[@drooshmaroosh8261]

LOL...

[@andreastandard1292]

My husband and I met him at the airport in Prague where I’m from and he truly is one of the most down to earth and kindest people I have ever met!! He is just a cool dude!! I was so impressed and honestly I was hesitant at first.

[@8ootyL1CK3R]

And a great storyteller

[@divinusmaximus1315]

Do you really think that you know the man just because you saw him at the airport? What a nonsense... 😄

[@chrisregister8021]

I have always loved Billy Bob because he plays very truthful characters ❤

[@Clemmyfandangobaby]

My favourite Billy Bob role is the one he played on The late show with Stephan Cobert. Jazz pirate.

[@CaliBeast824]

Jazz pirate is such a great description of that outfit

[@thebatzcave]

[@doubleohdutch2108]

He actually dresses like that lately.

[@dhawker]

🤣

[@Texasbluestunes]

He thought he was Billy F Gibbons that night.

[@debmc2291]

Billy Bob is one of my favorite actors. He's so underrated.

[@adamtzsch]

By whom?

[@debmc2291]

@@adamtzsch People who think he's a weirdo.

[@yeeaahBUDDY]

He's famous worldwide and his acting is universally praised. He's anything but underrated.

[@robertthompson5908]

Look up the word underrated in the dictionary.

[@IsmailofeRegime]

@@debmc2291 Even people who think he's a weirdo still, in my experience, think he's a great actor. Plus it isn't like there's been no weird actors out there.

[@mismissy]

He was so good in Fargo and Slingblade. Also love Bad Santa😂

[@guerreroseventyfour1819]

His role as Malvo in Fargo was 🔥

[@dunkelmonkey]

Have you ever seen "Bandits"?

[@luciustitius]

Goliath, not to forget.

[@VandyMas]

Indeed! Billy Bob is an exceptional actor, producer & writer ❤.

[@gregorym3020]

Bring on that deluded Streisand. I hear England might even reject her visa . Has she left yet. The great dictator won Go Streisand Go .

[@JJ-ze6vb]

He is in his “Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean“ phase.

[@jwhite8794]

I thought the same thing - though actually, Johnny seems to dress like that on a daily basis

[@dukabear2640]

@@jwhite8794 In his mofo dreams Depp is as cool as Thornton 🙌

[@kevinschutter]

Don't mention Angelina

[@ikesarac1022]

It’s all Keith Richards! Never forget. The guitar player of the Rolling Stones owns this style. Everyone else, I mean everyone, copies.

[@ShellyBomb]

🦜 ~ Funny, I thought the same when we walked on stage ...

[@treefrogmusicdanceeducatio7315]

I love when people will sit down with no pretension just share a real story. So engaging and authentic, not a plug for something else. He’s somebody who would be great conversation at a dinner party. Very chill and fascinating.

[@PuffyNavel]

what. this is all pretense and the plug is in part two

[@burntvirtue]

No pretension? He's dressed like the bottom of Johnny Depp's closet

[@randolphpinkle4482]

@@PuffyNavel True. Being nice is always pretense. It's being good that's the hard part.

[@boise2Talay7886]

Goliath is another Billy Bob gem, all 3 seasons

[@liquidsn]

Goliath season 1 was amazing! best Lawyer show.

[@rvtruscott]

Yes!!! Loved him in Goliath!!! Wish they made another season!!

[@elizabethconnolly3260]

Loved it!

[@za90909]

It’s so good! One of my favorite shows.

[@ackerjawaka1966]

There are 4 seasons 🍻🍺

[@julieshelley-fd5kp]

So humble and lovely fellow. He came from humble beginnings. Lovely soul!

[@gilpinsteven]

At first I thought he was wearing a turban. Side note: One False Move, his first screenwriting credit which he also co-stars in, is absolutely AWESOME.

[@carahowell4260]

Meeee toooooo

[@polcommwatcher]

Yes, I think it is a turban with a hat on top, or perhaps a hat with a turban-esque piece attached. It also seems to have EARRINGS pierced through the turban as well. It's eyecatching and unusual headwear one way or another!

[@mst3kpimp]

ya that movie is fantastic.

[@victoriamorgan2261]

He wrote The Gift with Cate Blanchette too, so good

[@marchfool]

Worked with him on One False Move. Even got him to write a part for me. He’s a solid great guy.

[@daniel.j9062]

Billy is a genuine, beautiful, intelligent man with a great sense of humor!

[@mrrooster4876]

Yes because appropriating cholo's by a very white guy is both genuine and intelligent. You ride the short bus?

[@Bluebird-wj4nj]

I actually loved his character in "A Simple Plan" with Bill Paxton. It was so complex and nuanced and heartbreaking. Love him in that movie! A great thriller!

[@svaught1]

Yes. I loved A Simple Plan.

[@dorisroach3092]

Both Texas boys, I think.

[@TheLemon333]

@@dorisroach3092 Arkansas

[@dorisroach3092]

@@TheLemon333 thanks for the correction.

[@ritapetita28]

Great film.

[@lindamarchionyfrancis4437]

Started watching Land Man yesterday and am anxious to see more, it’s great

[@Katseye102]

When Billy Bob came out on stage….my first thought was…..look at you!! 😃😃♥️♥️ great actor! Love all his movies!!!

[@dunkelmonkey]

If anybody hasn't seen the movie "Bandits" - you've got to see it! It's my favorite Billy Bob Thornton movie, and that's saying something because he's been in so many great ones

[@nacarreira777]

That is one of his very best. Bruce Willis and Cate Blanchette.....the three of them were outstanding in that film.

[@magusreaver]

Beavers and Ducks!

[@AndrewCottingham-c4g]

Totally a guilty pleasure movie for me!

[@danielletoner8487]

Mine too -FANTASTIC performance!!!!

[@dianaswan7655]

Same here❤(a favorite)

[@MilanSteijn-n2v]

I did not care for him early on but now he is one of my favorite actors. Land Man rocks and I can’t imagine anyone else as the leading man!

[@aztopaz863]

What an interesting man.. I could listen to his stories for years. I just watched Bad Santa last night! I freaking love that movie. I hadn’t watched it in years and I seriously laughed my ass off. I think I’m going to watch the second one this weekend sometime, and now that I saw this interview, Landman.

[@hellowrld00]

landman is awesome. recommend Goliath too!

[@WilliesGarden]

Bad Santa is still my favorite Christmas film. Have an old DVD copy I bought back when we had DVD's and Bookstores.

[@user-hk7iy2vt5y]

Great film. Always makes me laugh.

[@LaurelandHardy.30]

One of the most prolific actors too come along in a while. Extremely good at what he does. I try to see all of his movies. Keep them coming BBT. Thanks.

[@mlowe7245]

Would love to have a conversation with Billy Bob. He knows the art of conversation.

[@jenbloom6848]

Knowing Billy Bob is in the world is somehow soothing. Even with that funky chapeaux!

[@thunderousapplause]

So glad he isnt still married to Angelina. p.s. Glad Brad isnt either.

[@KathleenLee-w8e]

My husband and I are HUGE fans of Billy Bob! One of the greatest actors, ever! We watch everything he's in. Watching Landman right now. :)

[@jr-fu6gj]

put the phone down and WATCH THE MOVIE

[@craig1479]

Don't forget Tombstone: " Something on your mind?". Right before Kurt Russell grabs him by the ear and ejects him from the saloon. I think his character's name is Johnny Tyler.

[@adamtzsch]

A great bit part, and Billy-Bob is almost unrecognisable.

[@Rad9000]

“You back that Queen one more time and I’ll blow you right up that wildcat’s ass!” “Nerve racking son’s of bitches, Christ almighty, it’s like I’m playin’ cards with my brothers kids” I still quote his lines to this day had have ever since I saw Tombstone in the theater opening weekend.

[@TortfeasorRedmob]

@@adamtzschNo doubt. He was probably 100lbs heavier then.

[@HoodyBoy85]

No matter how many times I watch that scene, knowing it’s him, I still forget he’s in that movie.

[@ChoBee333]

Goliath is excellent!!! Been binge watching! Can’t believe I just discovered, it’s from 2016-2020.

[@marseanmoore1066]

I love Billy Bob’s work. ❤

[@angelmatos9143]

Relax Billy Bob. Genius is always beautiful 🎉

[@lindasebbana9893]

I love this man. Best actor around

[@vorhese]

Billy is one of us that made it. Billy is the man.

[@pixiedust145]

Such a great actor!

[@SquirrelNebula]

It's probably just me, but he keeps getting better looking. Damn. 💚

[@teryl4708]

It’s called plastic surgery.

[@SquirrelNebula]

@teryl4708 I dunno. Still has plenty of lines and he never did fix the hair line. Some people just age well. Not to say he hasn't done anything though.

[@KrisVickers-wn6dd]

​@@SquirrelNebulaWhat do you mean, he was one of the first actors to get hairplugs. look him up when he was younger or in slingblade.

[@trishaowens7925]

Billy bob thorton is a handsome great actor!!!!!

[@cherylrleigh1912]

Sling Blade was a masterpiece. I wish he would write a sequel to offer a follow-up on the characters' lives.

[@dorisroach3092]

Masterpiece for sure! I saw Sling Blade in the theater and for some reason I sobbed like a baby, cried into my coat sleeve so no one would hear, and I never cry at movies. 🤷‍♀️

[@garydodson6737]

Mhmm.

[@christineschoeler4296]

My late husband Bob, dressed up and spoke like the”sling blade guy “ for Halloween one year. Hilarious. You would have thought it was Billy Bob. He even had the biscuit

[@christopherpaul7588]

He was so good in the Man Who Wasn't There.

[@AugaAuf]

Unbelievable. Aside the fact that Billy Wilder contributed so many classics to movie history. But handing out Billy Bob the key to his success while having a random conversation with him at a party hit me like a hammer. Why isn't there a 20 feet high golden statue of Billy Wilder standing in the middle of Hollywood Boulevard. With a small Billy Bob standing on his shoulders. He is the GOAT.

[@jacobsrich2010]

Good point but never forget that Billy Wilder had support from others when he was a nobody too. That's how it works in many careers but particularly in movie land. Wilder was one of the the rare ones who helped others along when he had the ability to do so. With profound respect to Wilder, had he not recognized something in Billy Bob someone else would have eventually.

[@revvyhevvy]

For me, I loved his prime series, Goliath!

[@ShitStefanShoots]

Goliath was excellent!

[@moniqueengleman873]

Yes, I was looking for this comment. I agree 👍

[@EpirotKing_GeorgeK]

the best!

[@Rach-z9r]

Absolutely the best for me too

[@deborahbarbour2241]

He was great in Bandits, too, with Cate Blanchett and Bruce Willis. 😊❤

[@jeanneratterman4174]

He actually looks the most handsome I’ve ever seen him. Facial hair, hat, narrows in on his eyes and mouth and cheeks. Great features, so animated. 😍 That there is a joyful guy!

[@jdp5606]

Bad Santa is such a great movie. Underrated for sure.

[@debmc2291]

It's a classic!

[@cjesse01]

My favorite Christmas movie.

[@oscarguzman5664]

Mine too

[@DanielsJ658]

I thought Bad Santa 2 was even better 😂

[@trishaowens7925]

I like both bad santa movies!

[@brettlowenthal9989]

Pushing Tin was another great one of his movies

[@gmac2558]

🛫✈️🛬🛬

[@alcap-z5d]

Love that movie

[@ginafriend1690]

I ❤ Billy. I've also seen him and his band. It was great. Intimate, as he did Q&A's with the audience 🙌

[@chezmoi42]

I've never seen him before (retired in France since '92), but he may be my favorite guest on this show, ever. Great personality.

[@Fern635]

Definitely check him out in Slingblade. It's a pretty bleak movie, but he's brilliant in it.

[@chezmoi42]

@@Fern635 I don't have a TV or use streaming, so I may never see him act.

[@teryl4708]

@@Fern635Oh! Watch a BLEAK movie while our country goes to Hell in a handbasket…can’t wait. 🤮

[@4tuneagent]

One False Move is such an excellent movie! Also stars the late, great Bill Paxton..

[@pamr4040]

The first thing I remember seeing him in was "Hearts Afire" with John Ritter and Markie Post back in the early 90s...great show and cast! ❤

[@ruckusbuck720]

A Simple Plan is one of his greatest performances.

[@cloudedthoughts909]

@ruckusbuck Right on. Love that movie and he was Great!! 👍🔥

[@scottzappa9314]

Great actor and so talented on many levels.

[@VXRGO85]

always thought (and still do) Billy Bob was a rockstar of a dude 🫡

[@JohnBarron-n]

WTF is he wearing?

[@timshooter8033]

@@JohnBarron-n Hey Man !........Flannel's are COOL !!! 👍😎

[@protiliusproductions]

Talk about a legend… Dude is the most likeable recovering hillbilly I’ve ever seen on screen or real life. Married Angelina Jolie. Starred in some of the best blockbusters. And he’s really likeable to boot. Legend.

[@MarshGooch]

Personally, I loved him in Mr. Woodcock and on that series of Fargo he did. Brilliant. (Met him at a Hollywood music event once, we were both standing there watching Waddy Wachtel on guitar, I see I'm talking to Billy Bob, I say, "Man, you were great in Bad Santa," and he says, "If you liked that you're really gonna dig Mr. Woodcock!")

[@ocmcpherson7761]

I grew up about 30 minutes from where he grew up in Arkansas and we got the same drawl and people have always called my billy bob

[@anchababymalkin3222]

Malvern.....Little Rock dude here....

[@blabla48076]

Billy Bob is one of those actors that often portrays unlikeable characters or villains, but actually seems real nice in person!

[@RunsWithScissorsSenior]

I agree. Make up your own game, write the rules, be the creator of your life.

[@jonlambert76]

My small 2 cents is that after all these decades, I never knew he also wrote and directed Slingblade. I quote that movie every week. Hell yeah

[@dorisroach3092]

He won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for his masterpiece Sling Blade.

[@FilmBuff54]

“Bad Santa” is a very special movie, and “Fargo” Season One blew me away. Thornton played an absolutely diabolical character and a total agent of chaos.

[@poodlemom1109]

He is such a beautiful soul.🙏🏻♥️👏🏻

[@lashendawest7509]

We love billy bob thornton and stephen colbert

[@CarolynStewart-v5q]

Does anyone remember that Billy Bob played the urologist who was after Penny on Big Bang Theory? He was hilarious! I also think he resembles actor Peter Gallagher. JMO

[@2PrincessWarriors]

Yes that was a great guest appearance!

[@Fern635]

He does look a bit like Peter Gallagher! It's the dimples, I think.

[@vickiep4217]

Ha! 1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi.......

[@CarolynStewart-v5q]

@@vickiep4217 yes! When he counted to 5 Mississippi's he said she was in love with him.

[@adamtzsch]

Slingblade’s a work of genius and my all-time favourite film.

[@debmc2291]

It really is genius.

[@marksegars5331]

Loved how he made certain overlooked muscians got bit parts in Sling Blade. A mensch move.

[@SledDog5678]

Billy Bob is awesome!

[@FlyOnThePi]

Billy Bob is so chill, Colbert had to give him his time. The intro music was great.

[@daviddelgado6090]

Mr Thornton is such a real person

[@morbidmanmusic]

Oh, you know him?

[@teryl4708]

Like when he was engaged to Lara Dern, and while she was away for three months making a movie, he slept with and married Angelina Jolie, without so much as an F U to Dern. Yeah…real people sh!T on the people they’ve lied to about being in love with all the time. 🙄

[@daviddelgado6090]

@teryl4708 they do

[@natalieclark5819]

That follow-up Q&A to the Billy Wilder story was awesome!

[@JS-zp9jk]

He is a genuine person. Not Hollywood fake. Talented!

[@micahhawkins8233]

he has an earring attached to a beanie under a trilby.. so real

[@Rogsmith4]

I would love to have a conversation/ pint of beer with him just to have a laugh 😆

[@KaiRoberts-q2r]

Great actor , Billy Bob is . Can play various roles too . Dig the the duds ,.. hilarious how people always judge in comments. Why not be positive for change 😁

[@paulabaggett735]

Love me some Billy Bob Thornton! He is awesome in Landman.

[@Mary-t5d5c]

Landman is great!

[@feltthefluff]

Mr. Thornton is a very handsome man, always has been. And that voice!

[@Phenom0100]

Why does Billy look like an undercover Magician?

[@sdeangelis9491]

😂

[@deblibra]

I saw him in concert at the coach house with his band in Orange County , He was so funny and nice to the audience, I love all his work

[@Mopar46]

I'd watch any movie Billy Bob was in. Great actor. He's in my top 2.

[@paulseigeldorf9461]

I met Billy at the Freebird Cafe in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Had no idea he was the drummer in the band performing. It was not promoted that he would be there. In etween sets, he’d walk around the bar. Very cool. I didn’t speak with him. My buddy did though. And BillyBob was very cool and friendly. Shook his hand

[@LlamaKingGaming]

I'll always remember Billy Bob for Homegrown

[@jans-wv3rp]

He's such a good actor. I absolutely loved him in Fargo and Bad Santa

[@lindataggart9076]

Billy is such a cool cat.

[@allisonmarlow184]

I loved him in Pushing Tin, the first time I ever saw him.

[@HermitOnWheels]

Dudley Moore, there’s a name I haven’t heard since “Arthur Arthur”. Love and miss you! 💞🤟

[@adamtzsch]

“Arthur Arthur”?

[@HermitOnWheels]

@ A movie about him being a rich drunk. Mid 80’s Grey Poupon era. 😂

[@MissPerriwinkle]

sling blade : a classic.

[@janetsims180]

Loved him in "A Simple Plan".

[@debmc2291]

Such a great movie!

[@paradoxparade1]

"What, are you Sigmund 'Sawed Off' Freud now?" Still one of my favorite lines from Bad Santa. 🤣

[@ftux1915]

The weather is gray and dark, the temperatures are dropping and it might even snow, the best conditions for watching Fargo

[@Fern635]

Agreed!

[@SwisstedChef2018]

a great man an incredible actor creative to the core. We love you Billy

[@ZenMastaKai]

Love Billy...more chains than a tow truck! LOL

[@booch2912]

I love when Billy Bob Thornton plays Billy Bob Thornton

[@michaelclohosey7645]

He was excellent in Goliath

[@cindyrussell1581]

Love 💕 this man, great actor, great sense of humor. Who cares what people say.look at you now.

[@Caperhere]

John Prine: and Billy Bob Thornton said “grunt”.😊 I think he must be an interesting cat.

[@paulagalane7020]

I love this guy. Well actually both of them

[@RolloKnox]

I guess Billy couldn't decide which hat to wear... So he was like "Heck it! I wear both!!!"

[@wickedmon]

could listen to him all day

[@ksrt2654]

Great story.❤

[@sarapruisner3083]

This man is the genuine deal. Met him in person and he was so kind.

[@Sulu-d4r]

That's some get up to hide his baldness. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@kathleenmccrory9883]

Don't be so jealous. That's sad. New troll.

[@Sulu-d4r]

@@kathleenmccrory9883Telling the truth is not trolling. This is akin to the 'emperors new clothes' and only a few of us appear capable to call it out. Wake up!

[@perrysaker1526]

​@@Sulu-d4rwhy do you feel the need to say anything about his hairline? The guy isn't 21 ffs, let's see what you look like his age!

[@Sulu-d4r]

@perrysaker1526 what's the point of defending an idiots hairline who gets paid to pretend and speak words?

[@219SandPond]

Bad Santa is my favorite Billy Bob movie.

[@geraldosaals3732]

The definition of Authenticity

[@dianaswan7655]

His albums are really awesome too❤

[@yurielcundangan9090]

Thornton never cease to AMAZEE😂

[@mikehughes3340]

If the only thing I saw Billy Bob Thornton in was Fargo Season 1, I’d be a fan. My personal favorite villain.

[@ojojcmusic2454]

Underrated

[@Woodsballer209]

Nah. He's rated just where he should be.