Billy Bob Thornton Movies and TV Shows: Complete List

Few actors walk the line between gentle and unsettling quite like Billy Bob Thornton. His Oscar-winning script for Sling Blade introduced the world to Karl Childers, a character who, with a simple, halting voice, became one of cinema’s most unforgettable figures. From his early days in Arkansas to his Golden Globe-winning turn in Goliath, Thornton’s story is as layered as the characters he plays; here’s what you need to know about his movies, TV shows, and the life that fuels those roles.

Academy Award wins: 1 (Best Adapted Screenplay for Sling Blade) ·
Golden Globe wins: 1 (Best Actor – TV Drama for Goliath) ·
Number of films: Over 50 ·
Notable TV series: Fargo, Goliath, 1883, Landman ·
Marriages: 5 ·
Years active: 1986–present

Seven key facts line up: from his full name to his children count.

What is Billy Bob Thornton best known for?

His Oscar-winning role in Sling Blade

• Thornton wrote, directed, and starred in Sling Blade (1996), winning the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay — Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (awards body)
• He also received a Best Actor nomination for that same role — Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)

Other notable movies: A Simple Plan, Monster’s Ball

• A Simple Plan (1998) earned him critical praise for his performance as a hapless brother — Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)
• Monster’s Ball (2001) showcased his ability to inhabit gritty, emotionally raw characters — Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)

TV roles: Fargo, Goliath, 1883, Landman

• He played the chilling Lorne Malvo in Fargo (2014) to widespread acclaim — Apple TV (digital marketplace)
• His turn as Billy McBride in Goliath won him a Golden Globe — Golden Globes (film and TV awards)
• He portrayed Marshal Jim Courtright in Taylor Sheridan’s 1883 — Encyclopaedia Britannica (reference work)
• In Landman (2024), he stars as Tommy Norris on Paramount+ — Encyclopaedia Britannica (reference work)

“I realized I was gonna die if I kept going.”

Billy Bob Thornton on his drug use, quoted in a 2016 interview (as cited by Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))

The pattern: Thornton’s most acclaimed work channels his own experiences, making the fiction feel lived in.

Is Billy Bob Thornton sober in real life?

His history of drug and alcohol abuse

• Thornton has spoken openly about past use of cocaine and alcohol — Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)
• He admitted during a 2016 interview that he “was gonna die” at his peak — Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)

His sobriety journey

• He has been sober for many years, though the exact date of his last use is not public — Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)

How his addiction affected his career

• Thornton’s early struggles contributed to pauses in his acting work but also informed many of his most vulnerable roles — Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)

“The separation was mutual and we wanted different things.”

Angelina Jolie, 2004 interview (as cited by Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))

The implication: Sobriety didn’t dull his edge; it sharpened his focus.

How many ex-wives does Billy Bob Thornton have?

List of marriages

• Thornton has been married five times — Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)
• Spouses: Cynda Williams (1990–1992), Toni Lawrence (1986–1988), Pietra Dawn Cherniak (1993–1997), Angelina Jolie (2000–2003), and current wife Connie Angland (2014–present) — Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)

Marriage to Angelina Jolie

• His most famous marriage was to actress Angelina Jolie from 2000 until their divorce in 2003 — Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)

Other marriages

• Each union lasted between two and four years, except his current marriage — Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)

The catch: Public fascination with his love life overshadows the quiet stability he has found with Angland.

What disabilities does Billy Bob Thornton have?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

• Thornton has been diagnosed with OCD and has discussed his compulsions in interviews — Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)

Other reported conditions

• He has mentioned anxiety and a need for order, but no other clinical disabilities have been confirmed — Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)

How he manages his OCD

• Thornton takes medication and practices coping techniques — Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)

What this means: Thornton’s disorder, rather than limiting him, may be a hidden asset in his method.

Why did Angelina Jolie leave Billy Bob Thornton?

Reasons for divorce

• Thornton has said the split was amicable and that they remained friends — Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)
• He cited their heavy work schedules as the primary reason — Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)

Mutual decision

• Jolie said in a 2004 interview that the separation was mutual and that they wanted different things — Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)

Thornton’s perspective

• He told reporters that there was no bad blood and that Jolie is “a wonderful person” — Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)

The catch: While Thornton’s major life events are well-documented, the exact amounts and current habits remain private. The public knows the shape of his struggles, not all the details.

Summary

Billy Bob Thornton built a career on characters who feel broken yet resilient — because he draws from real experience. His Oscar win, his TV reinvention, his five marriages, his sobriety, his OCD all feed into a body of work that refuses easy labels. For audiences, watching Thornton is a reminder that the most compelling characters come from real, messy lives. Thornton’s filmography serves as a map: every scar on screen has a story behind it.

För en komplett lista över hans produktioner, se Billy Bob Thorntons filmer och TV-program.

Frequently asked questions

For more on related figures, read Kimberly Williams-Paisley: Marriage, Career, Health, and Advocacy and Cast of Suits LA: Stars, Original Crossovers & More.