William George “Billy” Zane Jr. is a successful American actor and director. William managed to achieve success in the film industry thanks to his strong personality and perseverance. Learn more about him at chicago-trend.com.
Childhood and education
Zane was born in Chicago on February 24, 1966. His father William George and mother Thalia were amateur actors and founders of a school for medical technicians. William George Jr. grew up in complete prosperity. As a teenager, he trained at Harand Camp of the Theatre Arts in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.
In 1982, Zane went to Switzerland, where he enrolled in the American School in Switzerland (TASIS). Then he returned to the United States and began attending Francis W. Parker School.
Acting career
Billy Zane began his career after graduating from school, mainly playing secondary roles. In 1985, he moved to California in search of work and three weeks after his arrival, he was cast as Match in the Back to the Future movie. A year later, he starred in the movie Critters.
In 1986, Zane tried himself on TV, starring in the TV movie Brotherhood of Justice.
In 1990, Billy achieved success in the film industry, showed his best side and was recognized by critics. In 1997, he played the role of “Cal” Hockley in the legendary Titanic, which earned him a nomination for the Screen Actors Guild Award (SAG). In addition, the film was nominated for 14 Oscars and won 11.
The most famous dramas in Billy Zane’s career were Matlock, the historical drama Crime Story, Murder, She Wrote and others.
Zane received his first nomination for the Chicago Film Critics Association Award in the Most Promising Actor category for his role in the psychological thriller Dead Calm (1989). Thus, he attracted international attention.
The Case of the Hillside Strangler, in which he played the serial killer Kenneth Bianchi, turned out no less successful. In 1990, the actor starred in two films Megaville and Memphis Belle, which were well-received too.
In 1996, the actor starred in The Phantom, which failed at the box office, although it was well-sold when released on DVD.
In 1998, Zane voiced one of the first English settlers in North America, John Rolfe in the animated film Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World. During that period, Billy Zane produced the comedy I Woke Up Early the Day I Died, in which he also played the main character.
The popularity of Billy Zane as an actor and producer grew with each coming year. He was recognized all over the world and became the idol of many people.
Personal life
Billy’s first wife was Lisa Collins, he married her in April 1989. Unfortunately, the couple divorced in 1995. Soon, Zane had an affair with the Chilean actress Leonor Varela Palma, but their relationship didn’t lead to marriage. On the set of Survival Island (2005), he met Kelly Brook, but their relationship also didn’t work out.
Then he met American model Candice Neil, with whom he was introduced by his sister in 2010. In 2013, the couple got engaged and had two children.
In his free time from filming, Zane likes to swim, which he has been doing since 1997.
As of 2022, Billy Zane’s net income was $25 million. He earned that money thanks to his work in blockbuster films.
Billy Zane is a director of RadioactiveGiant, a film and TV production and distribution company.
For his great contribution to the development of the film industry, the actor received an honorary degree from Lium University (Switzerland).
