Hollywood legend Billy Bob Thornton has broken his silence about his whirlwind early-2000s romance with Angelina Jolie, offering fresh insights into one of Tinseltown's most talked-about relationships.
The actor, now 70, spoke candidly about their intense connection that captivated global media attention and spawned numerous myths, including the infamous blood vial story that he's finally setting straight.
The Whirlwind Romance That Captivated Hollywood
Thornton and Jolie first met on the set of their 1999 film Pushing Tin, embarking on a relationship that would quickly escalate into marriage. After just two months of dating, the couple tied the knot in Las Vegas in May 2000, despite their significant 20-year age difference.
Their union became instant tabloid fodder, with Thornton recalling the intense media scrutiny as "very weird." He told Rolling Stone this week: "When we got together... for some reason, the people and the media were very interested in celebrity couples. So it was weird. We couldn't go anywhere."
Debunking the Blood Vial Myth
One of the most persistent legends from their relationship involves the alleged exchange of blood vials they wore around their necks. Thornton insists this story has been dramatically exaggerated over the years.
"We each had a little locket, literally with a drop of blood in them," he clarified. "That's a romantic little idea, and that's all that was." The actor explained that the items were simple lockets similar to those used to carry photos of loved ones, not the dramatic "vials" often portrayed.
He expressed frustration at how the gesture became twisted in public perception: "By the time it's over, we're vampires. We live in a dungeon, we drink each other's blood, that kind of stuff."
Civilised Parting and Lasting Friendship
Despite Thornton's current long-term relationship with Connie Angland - spanning 23 years with 12 years of marriage - he doesn't hesitate to rank his time with Jolie among the best periods of his life.
"Angelina and I had a great time together," he revealed. "That was one of the greatest times of my life."
The actor also disclosed that they maintain a strong friendship today, even as Jolie remains embroiled in her lengthy legal battle with ex-husband Brad Pitt. "She and I are still very, very close friends," Thornton said, describing their split as uniquely civilised.
He attributed their breakup to practical differences rather than dramatic fallout: "That was the one that ended up being a really civilised breakup. We simply split up because our lifestyles were so different."
Jolie has previously echoed these sentiments, telling press in 2008: "I still love him dearly and think the world of him. And I'm proud to have been his wife for a time."
Thornton shares daughter Bella, 20, with current partner Connie Angland, plus three other children from previous relationships. Jolie is mother to six children, including twins Knox and Vivienne, now 16.
