Bill Paxton

Iconic actor-turned-filmmaker

Bill Paxton

Divine judgment

southern gothic horror

versatile icon of film and television

Biography

As one of Hollywood’s most versatile artists and leading men, Bill Paxton’s long career included numerous and varied roles in both film and television. He amassed over 90 acting credits, seven production credits, and five credits each as a writer and director.

After gaining critical attention in the 1985 John Hughes comedy Weird Science, and James Cameron’s 1986 Aliens, Paxton emerged as a leading man with his performance as the small-town sheriff in Carl Franklin’s One False Move. He went on to star in a host of blockbusters including Tombstone, True Lies, Apollo 13, Twister, Mighty Joe Young, Titanic, U-571, and Vertical Limit. Among his last films were 2 Guns with Denzel Washington and Edge of Tomorrow with Tom Cruise.

Critical acclaim

creative depth and directorial vision

In 1998, Roger Ebert cited Paxton as his Best Actor choice for his turn as Hank Mitchell in Sam Raimi’s A Simple Plan. In addition, Paxton was a four-time Golden Globe® and Primetime Emmy® award nominee, among many other awards and acknowledgements.

Throughout his years starring in major motion pictures and television, Paxton also worked hard behind the camera, honing his skills as a creator and director of films. In 1980, he directed the music video short Fish Heads (by Barnes & Barnes), which aired on “Saturday Night Live.” But it wasn’t until 2001, when Paxton directed his first feature film – the gothic thriller Frailty, which he also starred in alongside Matthew McConaughey – that his directing skills got wide notice. Roger Ebert and Stephen King both praised Paxton and the film. Along with all the accolades for Frailty, the National Board of Review acknowledged Paxton with a “Special Recognition for Excellence in Filmmaking.” Working again as a director, Paxton followed Frailty with 2005’s sports drama The Greatest Game Ever Played, starring Shia LaBeouf. Both films are considered modern genre classics. Additionally, Paxton served as a producer on Parkland, The Good Life, and Traveller, in which he starred along with Mark Wahlberg and Julianna Margulies.

fan favorite

memorable performances & prestige tv

Throughout his career, Paxton enjoyed a cult following for his work in movies including Near Dark, Boxing Helena, The Dark Backward, and Broken Lizard’s Club Dread. Other credits include Trespass, Indian Summer, The Evening Star, Streets of Fire, Frank & Jesse, Navy Seals, Predator 2, The Vagrant, and Pass the Ammo.

On television, Paxton was also honored with three Golden Globe® nominations for his work on HBO’s critically acclaimed series “Big Love,” playing a character, Bill Henrickson, who is husband to three wives. He also starred in the miniseries “Hatfields & McCoys” opposite Kevin Costner, where he was nominated for both Primetime Emmy® and SAG awards for his work. Paxton also played Sam Houston in “Texas Rising,” a miniseries based on the Texas Revolution, and Colonel John Paul Vann in HBO’s “A Bright Shining Lie,” where he was nominated for a Golden Globe®.

off-camera impact

Deep Dives & Enduring legacy

In addition to his awards for acting and directing, Paxton holds the distinction of being the only actor to have visited the wreck site of the Titanic with James Cameron, for the documentary Ghosts of the Abyss. Paxton completed four descents to the site, which lies 2.5 miles below the surface of the North Atlantic.

Paxton, a native of Fort Worth, Texas, is survived by his wife, Louise, and his children, James and Lydia.

DEPTH OF FIELD