The Sixth Time's The Charm: Who Is Billy Bob Thornton's Current Spouse, Connie Angland?
Few Hollywood careers are as defined by a distinctive blend of raw talent and tumultuous personal life as that of Billy Bob Thornton. As of late 2024, the Oscar-winning actor and musician has once again captured the public eye with his starring role in the new Taylor Sheridan series, Landman, yet the perennial question remains: who is the woman who finally anchored the famously restless star? The answer is his sixth wife, Connie Angland, a relationship that has quietly thrived for over two decades, proving that the sixth time can indeed be the charm.
The saga of Billy Bob Thornton's marriages—a public spectacle that included a headline-grabbing union with Angelina Jolie—has given way to a stable, low-key partnership. After a string of five high-profile and short-lived marriages, Thornton has credited Angland, a talented special effects artist, with pulling him out of his darkest hours and providing the foundation for his longest and most successful relationship, a journey that began way back in 2003.
Billy Bob Thornton: Full Biography and Complete Marriage Timeline
William Robert "Billy Bob" Thornton is an Academy Award-winning American actor, filmmaker, and singer-songwriter known for his distinctive Southern drawl and intensely committed performances. His career spans decades, marked by his Oscar win for Best Adapted Screenplay for his masterpiece, Sling Blade, and memorable roles in films like Bad Santa, A Simple Plan, and the acclaimed TV series Fargo and Goliath.
- Full Name: William Robert Thornton
- Date of Birth: August 4, 1955
- Age (as of December 2024): 69
- Place of Birth: Hot Springs, Arkansas, U.S.
- Occupation: Actor, Filmmaker, Singer-Songwriter, Musician (The Boxmasters)
- Children: 4 (Amanda, William, Harry, Bella)
The Six Wives of Billy Bob Thornton: A Detailed Timeline
Thornton's romantic history is famously complex, with six trips down the aisle. His marriages span from his early twenties to his late fifties, culminating in his current, long-lasting union.
- Melissa Lee Gatlin (1978–1980): Thornton’s first marriage was to waitress Melissa Lee Gatlin. The couple had one daughter, Amanda, before divorcing after two years.
- Toni Lawrence (1986–1988): His second marriage was to actress Toni Lawrence. This union was also brief, lasting approximately two years.
- Cynda Williams (1990–1992): Thornton met actress Cynda Williams on the set of his early film, One False Move. They married but divorced shortly thereafter.
- Pietra Dawn Cherniak (1993–1997): This was his longest marriage prior to his current one. Pietra Dawn Cherniak, a former *Playboy* model, is the mother of his two sons, William Langston and Harry James. The marriage ended amid controversy and legal battles.
- Angelina Jolie (2000–2003): The most famous of his marriages, the union with actress Angelina Jolie was a whirlwind of red-carpet PDA, vials of blood, and matching tattoos. They met on the set of the film Pushing Tin and married in a quick Las Vegas ceremony. They divorced after three years, citing conflicting lifestyles and career demands.
- Connie Angland (2014–Present): His current and most stable marriage is to Connie Angland. They began dating in 2003, welcomed their daughter Bella in 2004, and finally married in a private ceremony on October 22, 2014, after more than a decade together.
Connie Angland: The Woman Who Saved Billy Bob Thornton
Connie Angland is not a Hollywood actress or a celebrity; she is a highly accomplished professional in the film industry, but behind the scenes. She is a visual effects artist and puppeteer, a career that has kept her largely out of the spotlight that scorched Thornton’s previous relationships. This low-key professional life has been instrumental in providing the stability he needed.
Angland's impressive technical credits include work on major blockbuster films suching as Men in Black, Men in Black II, Planet of the Apes, and the horror-comedy Arachnophobia. Her work as a special effects technician, seamer, and fabricator highlights a talent for intricate, detailed craftsmanship, a stark contrast to the volatile world of celebrity acting.
The couple first met in May 2003 on the set of the film Bad Santa, where Angland was working in the special effects department. Their relationship began shortly after his divorce from Angelina Jolie was finalized, marking a turning point in Thornton’s life.
The Secret to the Longest-Lasting Marriage
After five failed attempts, Thornton has been very candid about why his relationship with Connie Angland has endured. He has often credited her with providing a grounding presence during a period he describes as his "darkest hour." He famously stated that Angland "kind of drug me out of the gutter" at a time when he was struggling with personal issues.
Unlike his marriage to Jolie, which involved a high-octane, public spectacle of passion, his life with Angland is deliberately quiet and private. The key to their success, according to Thornton, lies in their mutual understanding and their shared daughter, Bella, who was born in 2004, a full decade before they officially married. Thornton has emphasized the importance of their daughter as a great bond, and the general lack of "high-drama" in their daily lives. The relationship is built on companionship and stability rather than pure, volatile romance.
In a recent interview, the Landman star revealed that the secret to a successful marriage, especially for him, is a simple lack of expectation and a shared routine. Angland understands his need for solitude and his unique lifestyle, including his commitment to his rock band, The Boxmasters, which he founded in 2007 and has released ten albums with. This acceptance of his eccentricities has allowed him to thrive both professionally and personally.
Billy Bob Thornton's Career Revival and Current Projects
While his personal life has found peace, Thornton's professional career remains as dynamic as ever, constantly adding new entities to his already vast filmography. As of late 2024, his name is back in the spotlight for his leading role in the Paramount+ original series, Landman. This series, created by Taylor Sheridan (known for *Yellowstone*), features Thornton as Tommy Norris, a crisis manager for an oil company in the boomtowns of West Texas.
The role in *Landman* is a return to the gritty, character-driven dramas that initially defined his career, following his critically acclaimed work as the title character in the Amazon series Goliath, where he played the disgraced lawyer Billy McBride. His performance in the first season of FX’s Fargo also earned him a Golden Globe, further cementing his status as a versatile, powerhouse actor.
His multifaceted career also continues with his musical endeavors. The Boxmasters, a rock and roll group with a decidedly retro sound, remains an active part of his life, demonstrating that his creative energy is not limited to the screen.
The Enduring Legacy of the Six Marriages
Ultimately, Billy Bob Thornton's journey through six marriages—a timeline that includes Melissa Lee Gatlin, Toni Lawrence, Cynda Williams, Pietra Dawn Cherniak, and Angelina Jolie—is a testament to his search for a connection that could withstand his unique personality. His current spouse, Connie Angland, represents the final, successful chapter of that quest.
By prioritizing a low-key life, mutual respect, and a shared connection through their daughter Bella, Angland has provided the foundation that his previous, more volatile relationships lacked. This stability has allowed Thornton to focus on his work—from the intensity of *Landman* to the touring with The Boxmasters—proving that a quiet, enduring love can be the most powerful force in a chaotic life.
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