Meet William Langston Thornton: The Private Son of Billy Bob Thornton

William Langston Thornton may not be a household name, but once you know who his dad is, everything clicks. He is the son of Billy Bob Thornton, a famous actor known for movies like Sling Blade, Armageddon, and A Simple Plan. Billy Bob won an Oscar, acted in big Hollywood films, and has been in the spotlight for years.

But William is the total opposite. While his dad is always in front of cameras, William chooses to live a private and quiet life. That’s exactly why so many people are curious about him. Who is he really? What does he do? Why does he stay out of the spotlight?

In this article, we’ll share everything you need to know about William Langston Thornton — from his family and early life to his education, siblings, and personal choices. Let’s start with the basics.

William Langston Thornton Quick Bio

Where Was William Born and Raised?

William was born and raised in the United States, where he lived with his parents and younger brother. Even though his dad was getting more and more famous in Hollywood, William’s life was kept mostly private.

After his parents divorced, William lived mostly with his mother. Unlike many celebrity children who are often seen in the media, William didn’t grow up in front of cameras. He stayed away from the spotlight and built a more normal life behind the scenes.

This quiet upbringing may be one reason why he still avoids social media and public attention today.

Who Is William’s Dad, Billy Bob Thornton?

You’ve probably heard the name Billy Bob Thornton before. He’s a famous actor, director, and screenwriter. He wrote and starred in the movie Sling Blade, which won him an Academy Award. Over the years, he appeared in hit films like Primary Colors, Armageddon, and A Simple Plan.

Billy Bob has had a very public career and personal life. He’s been married six times and has four children from different relationships. He’s also known for his wild and sometimes controversial past, including his short marriage to Angelina Jolie.

But even with all the fame and media attention, Billy Bob has always said that family is important to him. William is his first son, which makes their relationship even more special.

Who Is William’s Mom, Pietra Dawn Cherniak?

William’s mother is Pietra Dawn Cherniak, a Russian-born actress and former Playboy model. She became well-known in the 1990s after posing for Playboy magazine in 1998. But her name also made headlines during her rocky marriage to Billy Bob Thornton.

Pietra and Billy Bob got married in 1993, and that same year, William was born. A year later, they had their second son, Harry James Thornton. Unfortunately, the marriage didn’t last. In 1997, Pietra filed for divorce and also asked for a restraining order, claiming that Billy Bob had abused her.

She won full custody of William and Harry, and the two boys were raised mostly by her after the divorce. Pietra stayed out of the public eye in later years but is remembered for standing up for herself and protecting her children.

William Langston Thornton’s Brothers and Sisters

William is not an only child. In fact, he has three siblings — one full brother and two half-sisters.

His younger brother is Harry James Thornton, born in 1994, just a year after William. Harry is a bit more public than William. He has worked in the entertainment industry as a set dresser and even appeared in a reality show called Relatively Famous: Ranch Rules. Today, he also works as a real estate agent in Beverly Hills.

William also has two half-sisters. One is Amanda Brumfield, born in 1979. She is Billy Bob Thornton’s oldest child from his first marriage. Amanda made news in 2008 when she was charged and later convicted in a manslaughter case. She served nearly 9 years in prison and was released in 2020.

His second half-sister is Bella Thornton, born in 2004. She is the daughter of Billy Bob and his current wife, Connie Angland. Bella is known to be smart and curious, even wanting to become a scientist when she was younger. Unlike William, Bella has appeared with her parents at public events a few times.

William Langston Thornton’s Life in a Famous Family

Growing up as the son of a Hollywood star isn’t always easy. While some celebrity kids enjoy the attention, William chose a different path. Even as a child, he stayed away from red carpets and TV cameras. He appeared only a few times with his dad, such as at the Rugrats movie premiere in 1998 and Whiskey Tango Foxtrot in 2016.

After the divorce, William lived with his mom, Pietra, and his brother Harry. His mom tried to give them a normal life, far from the fame and drama that surrounded their father. This private and quiet life seems to have shaped William’s personality and choices today.

He rarely speaks to the media and doesn’t share anything on social media. You won’t find him giving interviews or trying to become a star. Instead, he seems happy just living a normal life — something very rare in Hollywood families.

William’s School and Education

Not much is known about William’s early schooling. He likely attended private schools, but those names were never shared publicly. However, there are reports that he graduated from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 2013.

What subject he studied or what degree he earned hasn’t been confirmed. But it’s clear that education was important in his life. He didn’t rush into acting or music like some celebrity kids. Instead, he seems to have focused on building a quiet and steady future for himself.

What Job Does William Langston Thornton Do?

This is one of the biggest questions people ask about William Langston Thornton — what does he actually do?

The truth is, nobody knows for sure. William has never shared what career he chose. He doesn’t act, sing, or work in the entertainment world like his dad or brother. There are no interviews, no career pages, and no public business records linked to his name.

But maybe that’s exactly how he wants it. Some people enjoy being in the spotlight, while others want to live quietly. William clearly prefers privacy. It’s possible he works a normal job or runs a business, just without putting it all over the internet. And in today’s world, that’s actually pretty rare and brave.

Is William Langston Thornton Married or Dating Anyone?

You might wonder, Is William married? Does he have a girlfriend? Any kids?

Again, the answer is no one knows for sure. As of 2025, there are no records of him being married or in a public relationship. He’s never been spotted with a partner on the red carpet, and there’s no mention of any children.

Some sources suggest he is still single and waiting for the right person. Others believe he might already be in a relationship, but just keeps it private. Either way, it’s clear that William likes to keep his personal life out of public view.

Does William Langston Thornton Use Social Media?

Unlike many celebrity kids who post on Instagram, go viral on TikTok, or start YouTube channels, William Langston Thornton is nowhere to be found online.

He doesn’t have any verified social media accounts. You won’t see him tweeting, sharing selfies, or promoting products. He’s not chasing fame or likes. In fact, he’s done the opposite — he’s stepped back from public life completely.

This choice makes him very different from most people his age, especially those with famous parents. But it also makes him interesting. In a world full of noise, William’s silence stands out.

Interesting Things to Know About William

Even though William lives privately, there are some fun and surprising facts about him:

He was named after a Civil War soldier. Billy Bob once shared a touching story about a soldier named William Langston who couldn’t have children. Naming his son after that man gave the name deep meaning.

William’s parents divorced when he was just 3 years old. He and his younger brother, Harry, were raised by their mother, Pietra, after she filed for full custody.

His mother won a restraining order against Billy Bob in court, claiming he had hurt her during their marriage. The judge granted her request, and she protected both sons.

William’s half-sister, Amanda, was once sentenced to 20 years in prison for manslaughter. She was later released in 2020 after nearly 9 years, with the help of a justice project.

He has made only a few public appearances — like at the Whiskey Tango Foxtrot and Bad Santa 2 premieres — but always looked calm and close to his father.

What Is William Langston Thornton’s Net Worth?

Since William doesn’t have a public job or business, his net worth is unknown. There are no records of what he earns or owns. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t doing well.

His father, Billy Bob Thornton, is worth around $45 million. His mother, Pietra Dawn Cherniak, is worth about $1 million. With parents that successful, William is likely to inherit or already have access to family resources.

Still, money doesn’t seem to be his focus. He’s not using his family name to gain fame or fortune. He’s simply living life on his own terms.

Final Thoughts

In a world where most celebrity kids chase attention, William Langston Thornton chose peace. He could’ve been in movies, TV shows, or tabloids. But instead, he stayed private, kind, and quiet.

We may not know what he does for work, who he dates, or what his hobbies are — but that’s okay. Not everyone needs to be in the spotlight. Some people shine best by staying out of it.

And maybe that’s what makes William Langston Thornton truly special.

(FAQs)

How many kids does Billy Bob Thornton really have?

Billy Bob Thornton has four children with three different women, but only one of them, Harry, is somewhat public. William and the others live very private lives, and one daughter, Amanda, even served time in prison.

Is William Langston Thornton on Instagram?

No, William has zero public social media. No Instagram, no Twitter, no Facebook. In 2025, that’s rare for anyone, let alone the son of a Hollywood star.

How old is William Langston Thornton today?

William was born on June 27, 1993, which makes him 32 years old as of 2025. He shares a birthday month with his younger brother, Harry, who was born just one year later.

What does William Langston Thornton do for work?

Nobody knows. Seriously, his job or career has never been shared. Unlike his dad and brother, William has stayed completely off the public career path.

Is William married? What’s his net worth?

William is not married, and he doesn’t have any children. His net worth is unknown, but his dad is worth $45 million, and his mom has about $1 million — so William is likely doing just fine.