Curiosidades

Once was told by director Billy Wilder that he was too ugly to be an actor and he should write a screenplay for himself in which he could exploit his less-than-perfect features. Thornton later collected an Oscar for his Na Corda Bamba (1996) screenplay.

His daughter, Amanda Brumfield, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for manslaughter. (6 de outubro de 2011)

Agreed to Ethan Coen's and Joel Coen's O Homem que Não Estava Lá (2001) without reading the script, out of respect for the Coen brothers' talent.

In an interview, Thornton talked about his struggling actor years. At one point, he was so poor all he could afford to eat were potatoes, which he would grill until they stuck to the pan. This consumption led to myocarditis, which led to an intense pain in his chest since he did not have any potassium in his system. He was treated at a hospital, thanks to a kind doctor who was from Arkansas, his home state. At the time, Thornton had no medical insurance and has remained grateful for the doctor's treatment.

Claimed in a "USA Today" interview that he has an intense phobia of antique furniture. This fear has been seen on screen in both Vida Bandida (2001) and Na Corda Bamba (1996).

Did not decide to pursue a career in acting until he was in his late twenties.

His daughter, Amanda Brumfield, 32, was convicted of aggravated manslaughter in the death of a neighbor's baby daughter whom she was babysitting, from a head injury while apparently climbing out of a playpen. (2 de junho de 2011)

He and Dwight Yoakam have their own production company and are looking at producing movies and records together. Yoakam appeared opposite Thornton in Na Corda Bamba (1996).

Directed one actor in an Oscar-nominated performance: himself in Na Corda Bamba (1996).

Gained about 50 pounds for his role as the auto mechanic in Reviravolta (1997).

Is very insistent on researching the roles he plays. If, for example, he has to play a lawyer and must use a lot of legal parlance, he will not deliver until he is fully conversant and familiar with every aspect of the legal terminology and formalities. This he usually does under the guidance of a qualified attorney, a route he chose for his role as lawyer Billy McBride in Golias (2016).

Robert Duvall called him "the hillbilly Orson Welles.".

His mother, a psychic, predicted he would work with Burt Reynolds. That prediction came true when, beginning in 1990, he did three episodes of Reynolds' CBS series Sombra da Noite (1990).

Worked as a waiter, fast food manager, telemarketer, and offshore wind farmer in between acting gigs.

Has stated that, of all the characters he has played, the one he enjoyed playing the most was Davy Crockett in O Álamo (2004).

Was considered for the title role in Forrest Gump: O Contador de Histórias (1994), which went to Tom Hanks.

In his contract for each film he does, there is a provision that states a list of demands. One of them includes a television with a satellite hook-up to watch the St. Louis Cardinals when they are in season.

In high school, Thornton played drums in a band called Stone Cold Fever and cranked out Creedence Clearwater Revival songs.

Gave up smoking after completing O Homem que Não Estava Lá (2001).

When Thornton and Jolie first married, the couple moved into the Beverly Hills home formerly owned by Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash. (2000)

Ex-wife Pietra granted a restraining order against Thornton to keep him away from her and their children. (15 de abril de 1997)

After a short period laying asphalt for the Arkansas State Transportation Department, he attended Henderson State University to pursue studies in psychology, but he dropped out after two semesters.

He was honored by his hometown, where he's remembered as a milkshake-loving, drum-playing rock 'n' roller. "I had a Tastee-Freez stand before I got into politics," said Mayor Bill Scrimshire, who declared "Billy Bob Thornton Day". "When he was a kid in high school, he used to buy hamburgers and milkshakes from me. He was one of my Tastee-Freez kids".

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6801 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California. (7 de outubro de 2004)

Born to William Raymond "Billy Ray" Thornton, a high school history teacher and basketball coach, and his wife, Virginia R. (Faulkner), a psychic.

Had tried out with the Kansas City Royals.

Father of four children: Amanda (born late 1970s), William (born 1993), Harry James Thornton (born 1994), and Bella Thornton (born September 2004).

Owns a penthouse in Paris.

Ex-son-in-law of Jon Voight, whom he co-starred with in Reviravolta (1997).

He was inducted into the Texas Film Hall of Fame in Austin, Texas. (março de 2009)

Jolie and Thornton have adopted a Cambodian baby boy. Angelina Jolie took custody of the baby in Africa, where she was shooting Amor sem Fronteiras (2003), her father, Jon Voight, told reporters at the Academy Awards luncheon the next day. Voight said he didn't know whether the couple had picked a name for the child. (10 de março de 2002)

Has numerous tattoos, among them at least six on his arms (three right, three left) and on his lower back/hip.

His paternal grandfather, Otis Thornton, with whom he spent time in his childhood on a small shack in the woods, was a forest ranger.

His character Willie from Papai Noel às Avessas (2003) is reenacted by Eminem in the music video for Eminem's hit song "Just Lose It".

Has English, Irish, and Scottish ancestry. Has also said that he has Cherokee Native American ancestry; it is not clear if this ancestry has been documented/verified.

According to Forbes magazine, for each dollar he got paid, Thornton's movies averaged $10 of gross income. (dezembro de 2007)

In 2007, Forbes magazine estimated his earnings for the year at $20 million.

Because of his skinny legs, he tends to wear size 6 women's jeans as he finds men's jeans too baggy.

Cousin of wrestlers Terry Funk and Dory Funk Jr., who are known to wrestling fans as the Funk Brothers. Thornton was contacted about inducting the Funk Brothers into the WWE Hall of Fame, but declined the offer.

In Armageddon (1998) he was the NASA flight director. In Sonhando Alto (2006) he was a former astronaut who went up against NASA.

As of 2024, he has declared that he and sixth wife Connie have been together for longer than his previous five wives combined.

Narrated the St. Louis Cardinals World Series DVD. (2006)

Nephew of professional wrestler Dory Funk Sr..

Weighed 30 lbs. when he was only seven-and-a-half months old.

Ex-son-in-law of Marc Lawrence and Fanya Foss.

Was treated for an unspecified "viral infection" at a hospital in Los Angeles, California. (22 de setembro de 2000)

Son-in-law of Academy Award-winning director and editor Walter Murch.

Brother-in-law of makeup artist Carrie Angland.