The Six Wives Of Billy Bob Thornton: How Connie Angland Cracked The Code On His Longest Marriage

The romantic history of Hollywood icon Billy Bob Thornton is as complex and dramatic as any of his film roles, spanning six marriages and five divorces. As of late 2024, the Oscar-winning actor is firmly settled in his longest and seemingly most stable relationship with his sixth wife, Connie Angland, a union that has lasted over two decades and counting. This deep dive explores the full list of women who have walked down the aisle with the *Sling Blade* and *Landman* star, culminating in the fascinating story of the special effects artist who finally "stopped him from being an idiot." The journey through Thornton’s love life—which includes a famously intense, high-profile marriage to Angelina Jolie—offers a unique look at the evolution of a man who has openly admitted that his chaotic past relationships were a result of his own struggles. His current wife, Connie Angland, represents a new chapter of stability, a relationship that began quietly in 2003 and has withstood the test of time, proving that the sixth time really can be the charm.

Billy Bob Thornton: Full Biography and Career Profile

Known for his distinctive voice, intense performances, and versatile career as an actor, filmmaker, and musician, Billy Bob Thornton has carved out a unique place in Hollywood. His personal life, particularly his multiple marriages, has often garnered as much attention as his professional achievements.

• Full Name: Billy Bob Thornton
• Date of Birth: August 4, 1955
• Place of Birth: Hot Springs, Arkansas, U.S.
• Occupation: Actor, Filmmaker, Singer, Songwriter, Musician
• Years Active: 1974–present
• Notable Filmography: Sling Blade (Writer, Director, and Actor - for which he won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay), A Simple Plan, Armageddon, Monster's Ball, Bad Santa, and the TV series Fargo.
• Current Project: The upcoming series Landman.
• Children: Amanda Brumfield (from Melissa Lee Gatlin), William (from Pietra Dawn Cherniak), Harry James (from Pietra Dawn Cherniak), and Bella (from Connie Angland).
• Awards: Academy Award, three Golden Globe Awards, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.

The Current Wife: Connie Angland and the Secret to a Lasting Union

After five failed marriages, Billy Bob Thornton finally found enduring love and stability with special effects artist Connie Angland. Their relationship is a testament to patience, privacy, and finding the right partner at the right stage of life. The couple has been together for over 20 years, a stark contrast to the brief, whirlwind romances of his past.

Who is Connie Angland? A Profile

Connie Angland is a respected veteran of the film industry, but not in front of the camera. She is a talented makeup artist, puppeteer, and special effects wizard. Her professional background is in visual and practical effects, having contributed her skills to major blockbuster films.

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• Occupation: Special Effects Wizard, Puppeteer, Makeup Artist.
• Notable Work: She is credited for her work on films such as Men in Black, Men in Black II, and Tim Burton’s Planet of the Apes.
• Family Background: Connie Angland is the adopted daughter of Water March, an Oscar-winning film editor.
• How They Met: Thornton and Angland met in 2003 on the set of the black comedy film, Bad Santa.

The Timeline of Their Enduring Relationship

Their relationship followed a non-traditional, slow-burn path compared to Thornton's previous, fast-paced marriages.

• 2003: They began dating shortly after Thornton’s divorce from Angelina Jolie was finalized.
• 2004: They welcomed their daughter, Bella Thornton, into the world, a year into their relationship.
• 2003–2014: The couple dated for an impressive 11 years, choosing to cohabitate and raise their daughter before officially tying the knot.
• October 2014: Billy Bob Thornton and Connie Angland quietly married in a private ceremony at their home in Los Angeles.
• 2024: They remain married, with recent public appearances, including the premiere of Thornton’s series Landman in November 2024.

The Secret to Success: "She Stopped Me From Being an Idiot"

In recent interviews, Thornton has been candid about why his marriage to Angland has lasted when the others did not. He attributes the stability to her grounding influence and his own personal growth. He has stated that Angland helped him overcome some of his more destructive tendencies and eccentricities.

Thornton explained that their relationship works because they have a quiet, home-focused life, unlike the high-octane, intense public scrutiny that plagued his marriage to Angelina Jolie. He credited Angland with helping him slow down and focus on his family and work, essentially "stopping him from being an idiot." This partnership is a clear example of how mutual respect and a desire for a low-key, private life can be the foundation for a long-lasting Hollywood marriage.

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A List of All Six Wives of Billy Bob Thornton

Billy Bob Thornton’s six marriages are a central part of his public persona, each relationship marking a different phase of his life and career. Here is a complete list of all the women he married.

1. Melissa Lee Gatlin (1978–1980)

Melissa Lee Gatlin was Billy Bob Thornton's first wife. They married in 1978, early in his career, and divorced two years later. This marriage produced his first child, daughter Amanda Brumfield.

2. Toni Lawrence (1986–1988)

Thornton married Toni Lawrence in 1986. Like his first marriage, this union was brief, lasting only two years before they divorced in 1988.

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3. Cynda Williams (1990–1992)

Cynda Williams, an actress, became his third wife. They met on the set of the film One False Move, which Thornton co-wrote. The marriage began in 1990 and ended in 1992.

4. Pietra Dawn Cherniak (1993–1997)

Pietra Dawn Cherniak was his fourth wife, a model and former Playboy Centerfold. This was one of his longer marriages, lasting four years from 1993 to 1997. They had two sons together: William and Harry James.

5. Angelina Jolie (2000–2003)

The marriage to actress Angelina Jolie remains his most famous and scrutinized relationship. Their intense, whirlwind romance was characterized by public displays of affection, matching tattoos, and the infamous blood-vial necklaces, which Thornton has since clarified were merely a symbolic gesture. They married in 2000 and divorced in 2003, with Thornton later citing a difference in lifestyles—Jolie’s focus on global humanitarian work contrasted with his desire for a simple, quiet life—as the reason for the split.

6. Connie Angland (2014–Present)

His current and longest relationship, which began in 2003 and culminated in marriage in 2014, has brought him a sense of peace and domesticity. Connie Angland’s down-to-earth nature and professional distance from the acting spotlight are widely seen as the key factors in providing the stability that Thornton sought after years of turbulent relationships. Her role as a puppeteer and special effects artist keeps her grounded and out of the intense media glare, allowing their family life to flourish privately.