Billy Bob Thornton: Biography, Health, and Sobriety

You’ve probably seen Billy Bob Thornton’s face in everything from Sling Blade to Bad Santa, but the man behind those characters has lived a life just as layered as his roles. Behind the Oscar statuette and the tabloid headlines about his marriage to Angelina Jolie lies a story of early health crises, a hard-won sobriety that’s lasted decades, and a career that refuses to be pinned down — here’s a fact-checked look at the man beyond the screen.

Born: August 4, 1955 ·
Academy Award: Best Adapted Screenplay (Sling Blade, 1997) ·
Spouse: Angelina Jolie (2000–2003) ·
Children: 4 ·
Occupation: Actor, filmmaker, screenwriter, singer-songwriter

Eight key facts at a glance — the biographical essentials in one place.

The takeaway: Thornton’s career spans nearly four decades, but his personal narrative is equally defining — and often more surprising than the roles he’s played.

What was Billy Bob Thornton accused of?

The most significant accusation against Thornton came from his childhood friend Jack Reeves, who claimed that Thornton stole the script for Sling Blade from him. A plagiarism lawsuit followed in the late 1990s. According to Justia (legal case database), the case was dismissed in 1998 for lack of evidence. No criminal charges or convictions were ever filed against Thornton related to the claim.

Thornton himself has rarely addressed the lawsuit publicly, and the dismissal effectively closed the matter in court. Some entertainment journalists have noted that the accusation was a blip in a career otherwise defined by creative recognition, not controversy.

The implication: a single dismissed lawsuit does not define a decades-long creative legacy.

What condition does Billy Bob Thornton have?

Thornton lives with atrial fibrillation, a heart condition that causes an irregular heartbeat. He was hospitalized in 2010 for heart-related issues and has spoken openly about managing the condition. Earlier in his life, during his early days in Los Angeles, he was hospitalized with myocarditis — inflammation of the heart muscle — brought on by malnutrition after surviving on an all-potato diet, according to Wikipedia (community encyclopedia). A 2012 interview summary from Tony Clayton-Lea (entertainment journalist) described that hospital episode as a heart attack brought on by malnutrition.

In a 2026 interview with Fox News (news outlet), Thornton also revealed he has allergies to wheat, dairy, shellfish, and meat — and noted his blood type is AB negative, which he described as the rarest blood type in the world, accounting for less than 1% of the population. In a 2025 interview with The Hollywood Reporter (entertainment industry publication), he discussed his experience with psychedelic drugs and said he realized he needed to stop using them for his health.

What this means: Thornton’s health management is a continuous, adaptive process rather than a single event.

What happened between Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob?

Thornton married Angelina Jolie in May 2000, when Jolie was 24 and Thornton was 44. They had met on the set of Pushing Tin (1999) and became one of the most talked-about couples of the early 2000s. During their marriage, they adopted a child together (Maddox). The couple divorced in May 2003, citing irreconcilable differences, as reported by Vanity Fair (culture and society magazine). Coverage from The Hollywood Reporter (entertainment industry publication) in 2025 confirmed the marriage lasted three years.

Why did Billy Bob leave Angelina Jolie?

Thornton later stated in interviews that they had different lifestyles and priorities. In a 2025 interview with E! Online (entertainment news), he said he and Jolie remained very close more than 20 years after their breakup.

How old was Angelina Jolie when she got with Billy Bob Thornton?

Angelina Jolie was 24 years old when she married Thornton in 2000; he was 44 — a 20-year age difference that drew significant media attention at the time.

The catch: public perception of a bitter split doesn’t match the private reality of continued closeness.

What did Billy Bob Thornton say about Trump?

In a 2016 interview, Thornton called Donald Trump a “good friend” and described him as “entertaining,” adding that they had mutual respect. However, Thornton did not formally endorse Trump for president. The comments generated headlines, especially given Thornton’s Southern roots and working-class persona, which some saw as aligning with Trump’s base. The full context from the interview — as reported by multiple outlets including The Independent (UK news publication) — was that Thornton was speaking personally, not politically.

“He is a good friend of mine and I think he’s entertaining.” — Billy Bob Thornton, 2016 interview

The implication: what sounded like a political statement was actually a personal remark.

Is Billy Bob Thornton sober in real life?

Yes. Thornton has been sober since the 1990s, having quit alcohol and drugs on his own without formal rehab. In an interview with David Sheff (interview archive), Thornton said he quit drinking early, in his early 20s, and described himself as a sporadic drinker who simply didn’t need alcohol. He has also spoken publicly about his past substance abuse and recovery. He was featured in “Sober Celebrity Spotlight” and is recognized as an advocate for sobriety. In the 2025 Hollywood Reporter interview, he discussed using psychedelic drugs and realizing he needed to stop for his health — a continuation of the same self-aware, self-managed approach to sobriety.

“I realized I needed to stop using them for my health.” — Billy Bob Thornton, 2025 Hollywood Reporter interview

The pattern: Thornton’s approach to sobriety mirrors his approach to health — self-managed, practical, and long-term.

Frequently asked questions

Billy Bob Thornton’s life, marked by early health crises, a high-profile marriage, and a self-directed sobriety, illustrates a career that has thrived despite personal and professional challenges.