Billy Bob Thornton (born August 4, 1955) is an American actor, screenwriter, director, singer and musician. Thornton first became known for his acting on the CBS sitcom "Hearts Afire" and in a number of early 1990s movies. These movies included "On Deadly Ground" and "Tombstone". In the mid-1990s, after writing, directing, and starring in the independent movie "Sling Blade", he won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. He had many large movie roles after "Sling Blade" 's success. These included 1998's "Armageddon" and "A Simple Plan." During the late 1990s, Thornton began a career as a singer-songwriter. He has released three albums. Thorton was the singer in a blues rock band.