Editing Billy Bob Thornton (section)

===1986–1995: Early roles and breakthrough ===
In September 1987, Thornton appeared on stage in a [[one-act play]], "Beethoven Symphonies," as part of the West Coast Theatre Ensemble in Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-09-16-ca-5273-story.html |title=Fringe Festival: Stage Reviews: "Art Violated" |work=Los Angeles Times |last=Lond |first=Ray |date=September 16, 1987 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> His first on-screen role was playing a character named Billy Bob in the thriller ''[[Hunter's Blood]]''. He was a [[stand-in]] on that film for the whole production, and then appeared in two scenes.<ref>{{cite interview|last=Thornton|first=Billy Bob|interviewer=Will Harris|title=Billy Bob Thornton on Goliath, Fargo, and working with Warren Zevon|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=October 19, 2016|url=https://www.avclub.com/billy-bob-thornton-on-goliath-fargo-and-working-with-1798253728|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516194305/https://www.avclub.com/billy-bob-thornton-on-goliath-fargo-and-working-with-1798253728|archive-date=May 16, 2022|access-date=December 8, 2023}}</ref>

He subsequently appeared in minor roles in the film ''[[South of Reno]]'' and the 1987 ''[[Matlock (1986 TV series)|Matlock]]'' episode "The Photographer". Another one of his early screen roles was as a cast member on the CBS sitcom ''[[Hearts Afire]]'' and in 1989 he appeared as an angry heckler in [[Adam Sandler]]'s debut film ''[[Going Overboard]]''.<ref>Smoron, Paige (January 30, 2000). "Biofeedback The Jeers Of A Clown". ''Chicago Sun–Times'', p.14E col.4</ref>  He played the role as the villain in 1992's ''[[One False Move]]'', which he also co-wrote. He also had roles in the 1990s films ''[[Indecent Proposal]]'', ''[[On Deadly Ground]]'', ''[[Bound by Honor]]'', and ''[[Tombstone (film)|Tombstone]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cote |first=Anna |date=2024-03-17 |title=All Billy Bob Thornton Movies In Order |url=https://medium.com/@annacote/all-billy-bob-thornton-movies-in-order-46f0ea7178df |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=Medium |language=en}}</ref>