Billy Bob Thornton is an American actor, screenwriter, director, and musician. He achieved international fame in 1996 with the film *Sling Blade*, which he wrote, directed, and starred in. For this work, he won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and received a nomination for Best Actor. His acting career includes acclaimed performances in films such as *A Simple Plan*, for which he received another Oscar nomination, *Monster's Ball*, *The Man Who Wasn't There*, and the cult comedy *Bad Santa*. He has also directed films such as *All the Pretty Horses*. In television, he has achieved great success with the series *Fargo* and *Goliath*, winning a Golden Globe for Best Actor for both. Known for his versatility, Thornton has received numerous other accolades, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, cementing his status as a multifaceted and influential artist in contemporary cinema.