Billy Bob Thornton’s Six Wives: The Untold Story Of His Longest Marriage To Connie Angland

Billy Bob Thornton’s marital history is as dramatic and compelling as his filmography, spanning six marriages over several decades. While his three-year union with superstar Angelina Jolie often dominates the headlines, as of December 2025, the Academy Award winner is happily married to his sixth wife, Connie Angland, in what has become his longest and most stable relationship to date. This article dives deep into the woman who "dragged him out of the gutter" and explores the full timeline of his famously complex romantic life, including fresh details on his current projects like the hit 2024 series *Landman*. Billy Bob Thornton, a celebrated actor, filmmaker, and musician, has always lived life on his own terms, a philosophy reflected in his numerous high-profile relationships. His current wife, Connie Angland, represents a significant shift from the whirlwind romances of his past, providing a quiet, grounded foundation that has allowed the star to focus on his career, which is currently enjoying a resurgence with his leading role in the Paramount+ drama *Landman*.

Billy Bob Thornton: A Complete Biographical Profile

William Robert "Billy Bob" Thornton is an American actor, filmmaker, and singer-songwriter known for his distinctive voice, intense performances, and versatile career spanning several decades. He is a true multi-hyphenate in the entertainment industry.

• Full Name: William Robert Thornton
• Born: August 4, 1955
• Age (as of 2025): 70
• Birthplace: Hot Springs, Arkansas, U.S.
• Occupation: Actor, Filmmaker, Musician, Screenwriter
• Notable Awards: Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay (Sling Blade), three Academy Award nominations, and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama (Fargo).
• Current Project (2024/2025): Starring as Tommy Norris in the critically acclaimed Paramount+ series Landman.
• Total Marriages: Six
• Children: Four (Amanda, William, Harry, and Bella)

The Six Wives of Billy Bob Thornton: A Full Relationship Timeline

Billy Bob Thornton has been married six times, with each relationship marking a different phase of his life and career. His history is a fascinating study of a man searching for stability amidst the chaos of Hollywood fame.

1. Melissa Lee Gatlin (1978–1980)

Thornton's first marriage was to Melissa Lee Gatlin, a woman he met in his hometown of Hot Springs, Arkansas. The couple married in 1978 and divorced two years later. They share his eldest child, daughter Amanda Brumfield. This marriage predates his major Hollywood success.

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2. Toni Lawrence (1986–1988)

After moving to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career, Thornton married actress Toni Lawrence. Their marriage was also short-lived, lasting from 1986 to 1988.

3. Cynda Williams (1990–1992)

His third marriage was to actress Cynda Williams, whom he met on the set of the 1990 film One False Move, which he co-wrote. The relationship lasted two years, ending in 1992.

4. Pietra Dawn Cherniak (1993–1997)

Pietra Dawn Cherniak, a former Playboy model, was Thornton’s fourth wife. This was a significant relationship, producing two sons, William and Harry. The marriage was reportedly volatile and ended in 1997 amidst allegations of abuse, which Cherniak later recanted.

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5. Angelina Jolie (2000–2003)

The most famous of his unions, his marriage to Angelina Jolie, was a media sensation. They met on the set of the film Pushing Tin and married in Las Vegas in 2000. Their three-year relationship was characterized by intense, eccentric displays of affection, including wearing vials of each other's blood around their necks. They divorced in 2003, citing conflicting lifestyles and career demands.

Connie Angland: The Woman Who Saved Billy Bob Thornton

Billy Bob Thornton’s sixth and current wife, Connie Angland, is widely credited by the actor himself as the person who brought stability and peace to his life. They met in 2003 on the set of the Christmas comedy classic Bad Santa, where Thornton played the titular role and Angland was working behind the scenes.

From Dating to His Longest Marriage

Connie Angland and Billy Bob Thornton began dating shortly after his divorce from Angelina Jolie was finalized. They welcomed their daughter, Bella, in September 2004, a year after they met. Despite the immediate commitment of starting a family, the couple took their time before officially tying the knot, a clear departure from Thornton’s previous rapid-fire marriages. They finally married in a private ceremony at their Los Angeles home in February 2014, after over a decade together. This deliberate pace, spanning 11 years before marriage, proved to be the key to their lasting success.

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Who is Connie Angland? A Visual Effects Artist

Unlike his previous wives who were often actors or public figures, Connie Angland maintains a lower profile, working primarily in the specialized field of special effects and visual arts. She is a professional puppeteer and visual effects artist with an impressive resume. Her career credits include working on major Hollywood blockbusters such as Men in Black, Men in Black II, Planet of the Apes, and the cult classic Arachnophobia. Her background in the technical, behind-the-scenes world of filmmaking offers a grounding contrast to Thornton’s on-screen persona.

Thornton has been very open about the positive influence Angland has had on him. He has publicly stated that she "drug me out of the gutter" and helped him overcome some of his more self-destructive tendencies and anxieties. Their relationship is characterized by quiet support and a shared commitment to raising their daughter, Bella, away from the intense spotlight that defined his previous marriage to Angelina Jolie.

Billy Bob Thornton’s Current Career and Family Life in 2025

The stability provided by his marriage to Connie Angland has coincided with a creative resurgence in Thornton's career. His starring role as Tommy Norris, a "landman" in the high-stakes world of West Texas oil, in the 2024 Paramount+ series *Landman*, has garnered significant attention, proving his enduring talent and appeal. The show, which broke records for the streaming service, is a testament to his continued relevance in the industry.

Beyond his current acting roles, Thornton continues to pursue his passion as a musician, touring and recording with his band, The Boxmasters. He has successfully balanced his multifaceted career as an actor, filmmaker, and musician with his role as a husband and father. His four children—Amanda, William, Harry, and Bella—are a central focus of his life, with his youngest daughter, Bella, keeping him grounded in his current, settled chapter. After six attempts, Billy Bob Thornton has finally found a lasting partnership in Connie Angland, proving that sometimes the quietest relationships are the strongest.