Billy Bob Thornton and Angelina Jolie. From vials of each other's blood worn around their necks to red carpet displays of fiery passion, their brief two-year marriage burned bright and fast. But after their sudden split in 2002, fans were left stunned and speculating. Now, two decades later, Billy Bob Thornton has finally opened up and confirmed the real reason behind the breakup.
In a recent interview, the Oscar-winning actor and musician looked back on his whirlwind relationship with Jolie with surprising honesty. “We just had very different lifestyles,” Thornton admitted. “She was out there saving the world. I was back home watching baseball.”
While their physical chemistry was undeniable, Thornton confessed that the two were ultimately incompatible at a deeper level. “We loved each other, no doubt. But it was like mixing fire and water. I was a quiet guy from Arkansas who didn’t feel comfortable in that Hollywood spotlight. She thrived in it.”
Their relationship made headlines not just for their passion, but also for their eccentric behavior. At the height of their marriage, they famously carried necklaces containing each other’s blood—a gesture Thornton now says was wildly misunderstood. “It was just a simple thing, not as crazy as people made it out to be,” he explained. “But that’s the kind of relationship we had—intense, passionate, and blown out of proportion by the media.”
Despite the breakup, Thornton has always spoken fondly of Jolie. He insists there was no betrayal, no drama—just a gradual realization that they were heading in different directions. “We didn’t fight. We didn’t scream. We just grew apart,” he said. “She wanted to adopt kids, travel, be a humanitarian. I wanted to stay home and write music.”