With a decorated career spanning over three decades and countless accolades to his name, like an Academy Award and two Golden Globes,Billy Bob Thorntonis undeniably one of Hollywood’s most exciting chameleon performers. Thornton has dominated both the big and small screen while showcasing his dazzling acting prowess, memorably appearing in a slew of cinematic knockouts, includingSling Blade, Armageddon, Bad Santa,andMonster’s Ball,while also shifting his focus to the world of television with unforgettable roles inFargoand the 2024 streaming sensationLandman.
In 2016, Thornton continued proving why he is one of the entertainment industry’s most charismatic actors when he starred in the gripping legal dramaGoliath,in which he portrayed a down-on-his-luck lawyer who sets out to exact revenge against a law firm he helped create and one that brutally forced him out after a case went horrifically wrong. Thornton was once again in peak form in the captivating Prime Video hit, nabbing yet another Golden Globe and proving there was no genre or character he couldn’t brilliantly master. Let’s take a closer look at the criminally underrated series.
Thornton Shines in ‘Goliath’
Following his tour de force performance in the critically-acclaimed anthology seriesFargo,Academy Award-winner Billy Bob Thorntoncontinued to dominate the small screen when he headlined the 2016 legal dramaGoliath,in whichhe appears as the washed-up and bitter Billy McBride, a once-powerful lawyer who was ousted by the firm he helped build after a heinous crime left him the shell of the man he once was. McBride had successfully represented a murder suspect whom he helped evade conviction, with the client going on to brutally kill an entire family after being acquitted and forever tarnishing his once-revered image.
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Now an ambulance chaser who lives in an extended-stay hotel after his wife left him,the booze-loving McBride finds himself once again at the center of controversy when he agrees to take on a high-profile wrongful death lawsuit against the mighty firm he once worked for. The down-on-his-luck lawyer becomes targeted by menacing presences and receives ominous death threats after agreeing to represent his client, with McBride uncovering a shocking conspiracy that puts an even bigger target on his back. With the help of his eclectic team and fueled by his burning desire to exact revenge, McBride makes it his mission to win the case and hit back against his formidable foe.
‘Goliath’ Features Several Big Names
Featuring the additional talents of famous faces like William Hurt, Maria Bello, Morris Chestnut,and J.K. Simmons, the gripping series ran for four lauded seasons and followed Thornton’s resilient character, Billy McBride, as he tackled countless complex and high-stakes cases in an attempt to rebuild his self-worth. Co-created by television titan David E. Kelley (Ally McBeal, Big Little Lies),Goliathgarnered widespread praise from both audiences and critics for its many juicy twists and turns, refreshingly flawed characters, and Billy Bob Thornton’s knockout performance as the haunted anti-hero, with the seasoned star rightfully going on to win a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama.
Despite the overwhelmingly positive critical responseGoliathreceived and Thornton’s powerhouse presence,the gritty legal drama has largely flown under the radar of audiences and is undeniably one of both Prime Video and the streaming world’s most underrated gems. The compelling series showcases Thornton’s versatility and charisma as a performer, with the Hollywood staple’s illustrious career spanning over 30 years on both the big and small screen. Not only has Thornton appeared in countless cinema hits, he has also shared similar success when it comes to tackling the world of television.
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In addition to his phenomenal work in Noah Hawley’s crime black comedyFargo(based on the Coen brothers masterpiece) and the rivetingGoliath,Thornton continued his streak of TV gold when he began portraying the tough and determinedTommy Norris in the Taylor Sheridan-createddramaLandman,which takes place in the heart of Texas and centers on the M-TEX Oil landman as he fights to make his company the top dog amid a lucrative fuel boom. Thornton is joined by stars like Ali Larter, Jon Hamm,and Demi Moorein the Paramount+ streaming sensation, with one rip-roaring season already under its belt and fans anxiously awaiting the official confirmation of a highly anticipated sophomore entry.
Unsurprisingly,Thornton received both a Golden Globe and Satellite Award nomination for his performance as the headstrong-yet-weary Tommy Norris, with the drama series currently holding a 78% Rotten Tomatoes score and dazzling audiences with its fiery characters and electrifying storytelling. Fans were in universal agreement that Thornton was in fine form in the thrilling Sheridan original, with thePittsburgh Tribuneboldly declaring, “Taylor Sheridan’s best series yet. It’s even more entertaining thanYellowstone.Partly that’s the perfect match of actor and material – Billy Bob Thornton was born to play oil company fixer Tommy Norris.“StreamGoliathonPrime Video.
