Billy Bob Thornton (born August 4, 1955) is an American actor, screenwriter, director and musician. Thornton gained early recognition as a cast member on the CBS sitcom, Hearts Afire, and in several early 1990s films including On Deadly Ground and Tombstone. In the mid-1990s, after writing, directing, and starring in the independent film, Sling Blade, he won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. He appeared in several major film roles following Sling Blade's success, including 1998's Armageddon and A Simple Plan. During the late 1990s, Thornton began a career as a singer-songwriter. He has released three albums and was the singer of a blues rock band.
In "Livin' on a Prayer", Lois and Hope & Ben Jennings observe their children Stewie and Scotty Jennings playing and Lois notes that they get along better than Billy Bob Thornton and his cat. The ensuing cutaway gag shows a naked Thorton receiving a bath from his cat.