Billy Bob Thornton's Four Children: The Full List And What They Are Doing Now (Updated 2025)

Few Hollywood figures boast a personal life as colorful and complex as Billy Bob Thornton, and his role as a father is no exception. As of late 2025, the Oscar-winning actor is a proud dad to four adult children, each born from a different chapter in his storied romantic life. His kids range from their early 20s to their mid-40s, creating a fascinating family dynamic that spans decades and multiple marriages. This comprehensive look reveals the full list of his children, their mothers, and what they are all up to today, based on the most recent updates.

Billy Bob Thornton, known for his gritty roles in films like Sling Blade and Fargo, has been married six times, resulting in four children with three different women. While some of his children have stepped into the public spotlight, others maintain a fiercely private life. The actor has publicly discussed his protective "helicopter parent" tendencies, particularly with his youngest daughter, showing the deep bond he shares with his unique family.

Billy Bob Thornton: A Full Biography and Marital History

Billy Bob Thornton, born William Robert Thornton on August 4, 1955, in Hot Springs, Arkansas, is a celebrated American actor, filmmaker, and musician. His career took off in the 1990s, culminating in an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for his 1996 film, Sling Blade, in which he also starred. He is known for his versatile roles in critically acclaimed works such as A Simple Plan, Monster's Ball, and the television series Fargo and Goliath.

• 7 Shocking Things Jessica Capshaw Revealed About Growing Up With Steven Spielberg As Her Stepfather 892ho

Thornton’s personal life, particularly his six marriages, has often captured as much attention as his filmography. His list of wives is a key part of his life story, as three of them are the mothers of his four children:

• Melissa Lee Gatlin (m. 1978; div. 1980): Mother of his first child, Amanda.
• Toni Lawrence (m. 1986; div. 1988): No children.
• Cynda Williams (m. 1990; div. 1992): No children.
• Pietra Dawn Cherniak (m. 1993; div. 1997): Mother of his two sons, William and Harry.
• Angelina Jolie (m. 2000; div. 2003): No children, but their highly publicized marriage remains a pop culture staple.
• Connie Angland (m. 2014; together since 2003): Mother of his youngest daughter, Bella, and his current wife.

Meet Billy Bob Thornton's Four Children (The Full List)

Thornton's children are split between three different mothers, each with their own unique path in life. The family includes an eldest daughter, two middle sons, and a youngest daughter.

Amanda Brumfield (Daughter)

Amanda Brooke Brumfield (née Thornton) is Billy Bob Thornton's eldest child, born on July 28, 1979, during his first marriage to Melissa Lee Gatlin. She is the most private of his children and has largely stayed out of the public eye. Amanda’s parents divorced just one year after she was born. As the firstborn, she has seen her father’s career evolve from his early struggles to his status as an Academy Award winner.

• Shania Twains Bold Statement Why The Star Chose Nude Photoshoots At 57 Qf9cg

William Langston Thornton (Son)

William Langston Thornton, often called "Billie," was born in June 1993, the first child from Thornton's marriage to former Playboy model Pietra Dawn Cherniak. As of late 2025, William is approximately 32 years old. He has maintained a significantly lower profile than his younger brother, Harry, and is rarely seen in public or mentioned in interviews, preferring a life away from the Hollywood spotlight.

Harry James Thornton (Son)

Harry James Thornton was born on June 19, 1994, making him approximately 31 years old as of late 2025. He is the second son from the marriage to Pietra Dawn Cherniak. Unlike his older brother, Harry has embraced the entertainment industry, though not as an actor, but as a reality television personality. He has provided many of the most recent public updates on the Thornton family.

Bella Thornton (Daughter)

Bella Thornton, whose full name is Bella Langston Thornton, is Billy Bob's youngest child, born in September 2004 in Los Angeles. She is the only child from his long-term relationship with his current wife, Connie Angland. As of late 2025, Bella is around 21 years old. Bella grew up largely out of the spotlight due to her parents' desire for privacy, but she has recently begun her college career and is the subject of her father's most recent public comments on parenting.

• The Unseen Story Jessica Simpsons Battle For Privacy And Body Image In A Digital Age Mlvqa

The Latest Updates on the Thornton Kids (2024–2025)

The most recent news about the Thornton children revolves around Harry James and Bella, who have both been in the news for their public activities and their father's comments on their lives.

Harry James Thornton's Reality TV Career and Angelina Jolie Connection

Harry James Thornton made headlines for his appearance on the E! reality series Relatively Famous: Ranch Rules in 2022. The show provided a rare look into the life of a celebrity child, where Harry bonded with other famous offspring over the unique challenges of growing up with a movie star parent.

A surprising and fresh update came from Harry, who revealed that his father’s ex-wife, Angelina Jolie, still maintains a connection with him. Harry shared that Angelina Jolie still sends him holiday gifts every year, indicating a lasting and positive bond that survived the famous couple’s 2003 divorce. Harry also once shared a candid story about his father not knowing about the birth of one of his grandchildren for a period of time, underscoring the complexities of their family life.

Bella Thornton: College, Privacy, and the 'Helicopter Dad'

Bella Thornton is the child Billy Bob most often discusses in recent interviews, highlighting her transition to young adulthood. In a November 2024 interview, Billy Bob Thornton admitted to being a "helicopter parent," especially now that Bella has left for college. He and his wife, Connie Angland, are navigating the challenges of their youngest child attending Cal Poly, which is a significant life change for the private family.

Bella has shown a keen interest in unique hobbies, particularly a liking for insects, and is described as a book lover. Her parents have credited their shared dedication to raising Bella as a key component of their successful and long-lasting relationship, which began in the early 2000s.

A Complex Legacy of Family and Fame

Billy Bob Thornton’s family life is a testament to his unconventional path. His four children—Amanda, William, Harry, and Bella—represent different eras of his life, from his early struggles to his current stability with Connie Angland. While Amanda and William maintain lives outside the public eye, Harry and Bella offer glimpses into the reality of growing up with a famous father.

The fact that a child from one marriage (Harry) still receives gifts from a subsequent ex-wife (Angelina Jolie) speaks volumes about the unique, blended, and enduring relationships within the extended Thornton family. As the children continue to forge their own paths, whether in reality TV or college, they remain a central and defining part of the legendary actor’s personal story.