---
name: "Bill Paxton"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/bill-paxton"
fi1m_id: "bill-paxton"
imdb_id: "nm0000200"
tmdb_id: 2053
wikidata_id: "Q110374"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "17 May 1955"
died: "25 February 2017"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 17
average_fi1m_score: 78
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 17
updated: "2026-10-23T04:10:05.926621+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Bill Paxton

## Identity

Bill Paxton

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/bill-paxton
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** bill-paxton
- **IMDb ID:** nm0000200
- **TMDB ID:** 2053
- **Wikidata ID:** Q110374
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Paxton, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110374, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000200/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2053

Actor. Born 17 May 1955 in Fort Worth, Texas, USA. Died 25 February 2017.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 17 May 1955, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
- **Died:** 25 February 2017
- **Active:** 1981–2014
- **Also known as:** William Paxton , William "Bill" Paxton, Білл Пекстон, بیل پکستون
- **Frequently works with:** [James Cameron](https://film.one/person/james-cameron.md), [Billy Bob Thornton](https://film.one/person/billy-bob-thornton.md), [Gregory Jacobs](https://film.one/person/gregory-jacobs.md), [Lance Henriksen](https://film.one/person/lance-henriksen.md)
- **SAG Awards:** 1 SAG Award (1 won · 2 nominated)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 78, as actor, over 17 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 81 (5), 1990s 76 (7), 2000s 68 (2), 2010s 80 (3)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 78 to 72 across 16 titles
- **Score spread:** 9 at 80+, 7 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 5 of 14 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Action 10, Thriller 10, Drama 8, Science Fiction 4, Adventure 3, Crime 3
- **Screen time:** 32 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $4,643m across 16 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Paxton, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110374, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000200/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2053

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*One False Move*](https://film.one/film/one-false-move.md) (86), [*Haywire*](https://film.one/film/haywire.md) (74), [*Vertical Limit*](https://film.one/film/vertical-limit.md) (58)
- **Apple TV:** [*Aliens*](https://film.one/film/aliens.md) (91), [*Edge of Tomorrow*](https://film.one/film/edge-of-tomorrow.md) (82)
- **Netflix:** [*Nightcrawler*](https://film.one/film/nightcrawler.md) (85), [*Apollo 13*](https://film.one/film/apollo-13.md) (84)
- **Paramount+:** [*Titanic*](https://film.one/film/titanic.md) (84)
- **HBO Max:** [*Big Love*](https://film.one/tv/big-love.md) (79)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*Twister*](https://film.one/film/twister.md) (64)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Bill Paxton

> Bill Paxton’s warmth could make a supporting part matter in minutes. We value his comic timing and the complications he found in ordinary men; casting him only as someone dependable left too much unused.

In *Haywire* (2011), Bill Paxton plays John Kane, the heroine’s father, and supplies warmth in two brief scenes. Soderbergh has filled the film with famous men who are mostly there to underestimate its central woman. Paxton gives us a reason to care about someone between the fights. We felt grateful for him: the family connection brings a little feeling to a thriller whose coolness can become indifference. It is a small part, and a useful measure of what he could do.

James Cameron had already found a louder use for him in *Aliens* (1986), as the panicked marine Private Hudson. The Texan drawl made him easy to recognise; the fear made the comedy work. A leading role as small-town sheriff Dale Dixon in *One False Move* (1992) gave him scope to reveal complications beneath an ordinary manner. Cameron’s *True Lies* (1994) returned him to comic supporting work as Simon. We enjoy that film’s comic cast, Paxton included, though the cruelty of its marital detour makes it a qualified pleasure.

In *Apollo 13* (1995), he put that ability to work alongside others to use within an ensemble. As actor and director of *Frailty* (2001), he took on the more difficult business of keeping a morally unsettling story under control. His handling of tone and child actors matters here as much as his own performance. The move to a sustained television lead in *Big Love* (2006–2011) allowed his dramatic work to extend beyond the short supporting appearance.

The danger was that his dependable manner could become all a casting director wanted. Treating him simply as wholesome overlooks both the agitation of Hudson and the complicated sheriff in *One False Move*. In *Haywire*, the warmth is welcome, but two scenes can only give us so much of him. That is no failure of the performance; we would simply have liked more of it. To see what he could do with a leading part, try *One False Move*.

## Biography

Bill Paxton was an American actor. He was born in Fort Worth, Texas, on 17 May 1955 and died in Los Angeles on 25 February 2017.

Paxton began in the film industry as a set dresser for New World Pictures before studying acting with Stella Adler in New York. He appeared in small roles in *The Terminator* (1984) and gained notice as Private Hudson in *Aliens* (1986). Later credits include *Apollo 13* (1995), *Twister* (1996), *Titanic* (1997) as Brock Lovett, *True Lies* (1994), *Edge of Tomorrow* (2014) and *Nightcrawler* (2014). He starred as Bill Henrickson in the HBO series *Big Love* (2006–2011) and played John Kane in *Haywire* (2011). Paxton also directed the film *Frailty* (2001).

He received Golden Globe nominations for *Big Love* and an Emmy nomination for the miniseries *Hatfields & McCoys* (2012).

*Sources: imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org, britannica.com.*

## On Fi1m (17)

- *Edge of Tomorrow* (2014), Fi1m 82, as Master Sergeant Farell — [page](https://film.one/film/edge-of-tomorrow.md)
- *Nightcrawler* (2014), Fi1m 85, as Joe Loder — [page](https://film.one/film/nightcrawler.md)
- *Haywire* (2011), Fi1m 74, as John Kane — [page](https://film.one/film/haywire.md)
- *Big Love* (2006), Fi1m 79, as Bill Henrickson — [page](https://film.one/tv/big-love.md)
- *Vertical Limit* (2000), Fi1m 58, as Elliot Vaughn — [page](https://film.one/film/vertical-limit.md)
- *A Simple Plan* (1998), Fi1m 86, as Hank Mitchell — [page](https://film.one/film/a-simple-plan.md)
- *Titanic* (1997), Fi1m 84, as Brock Lovett — [page](https://film.one/film/titanic.md)
- *Twister* (1996), Fi1m 64, as Bill — [page](https://film.one/film/twister.md)
- *Apollo 13* (1995), Fi1m 84, as Fred Haise — [page](https://film.one/film/apollo-13.md)
- *True Lies* (1994), Fi1m 68, as Simon — [page](https://film.one/film/true-lies.md)
- *One False Move* (1992), Fi1m 86, as Dale "Hurricane" Dixon — [page](https://film.one/film/one-false-move.md)
- *Predator 2* (1990), Fi1m 63, as Jerry Lambert — [page](https://film.one/film/predator-2.md)
- *Near Dark* (1987), Fi1m 82, as Severen — [page](https://film.one/film/near-dark.md)
- *Aliens* (1986), Fi1m 91, as Private Hudson — [page](https://film.one/film/aliens.md)
- *Commando* (1985), Fi1m 74, as Intercept Officer — [page](https://film.one/film/commando.md)
- *The Terminator* (1984), Fi1m 88, as Punk Leader — [page](https://film.one/film/the-terminator.md)
- *Stripes* (1981), Fi1m 70, as Soldier — [page](https://film.one/film/stripes.md)

## Complete filmography (96)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *The Circle* (2017), as Vinnie Holland
- *Training Day* (2017), series, as Frank Rourke
- *Mean Dreams* (2016), as Wayne Caraway
- *Term Life* (2016), as Detective Keenan
- *The Gamechangers* (2015), as Jack Thompson
- *Pixies* (2015), as Eddie Beck (voice)
- *Texas Rising* (2015), series, as Sam Houston
- *Nightcrawler* (2014), as Joe Loder — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/nightcrawler.md)
- *Edge of Tomorrow* (2014), as Master Sergeant Farell — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/edge-of-tomorrow.md)
- *Million Dollar Arm* (2014), as Tom House
- *JFK: The Final Hours* (2013), as Narrator (voice)
- *Red Wing* (2013), as Jim Verret
- *Parkland* (2013), Producer
- *Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.* (2013), series, as John Garrett
- *2 Guns* (2013), as Earl
- *The Colony* (2013), as Mason
- *Hatfields & McCoys* (2012), series, as Randall McCoy
- *Shanghai Calling* (2012), as Donald
- *Haywire* (2011), as John Kane — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/haywire.md)
- *Tattoo* (2011), Story, Director
- *The Good Life* (2007), as Robbie · Executive Producer
- *Big Love* (2006), series, as Bill Henrickson — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/tv/big-love.md)
- *The Greatest Game Ever Played* (2005), Director
- *Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon* (2005), as Ed Mitchell (voice)
- *Haven* (2004), as Carl Ridley
- *Thunderbirds* (2004), as Jeff Tracy
- *Club Dread* (2004), as Coconut Pete
- *Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over* (2003), as Dinky Winks
- *Resistance* (2003), as Ted Brice
- *Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams* (2002), as Dinky Winks
- *Frailty* (2002), as Dad Meiks · Director
- *Vertical Limit* (2000), as Elliot Vaughn — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/vertical-limit.md)
- *U-571* (2000), as Lt. Cmdr. Mike Dahlgren
- *Mighty Joe Young* (1998), as Gregg O'Hara
- *A Simple Plan* (1998), as Hank Mitchell — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/a-simple-plan.md)
- *A Bright Shining Lie* (1998), as John Paul Vann
- *Titanic* (1997), as Brock Lovett — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/titanic.md)
- *Traveller* (1997), as Bokky · Producer
- *The Evening Star* (1996), as Jerry Bruckner
- *Twister* (1996), as Bill — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/twister.md)
- *The Last Supper* (1995), as Zachary Cody
- *Apollo 13* (1995), as Fred Haise — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/apollo-13.md)
- *Frank & Jesse* (1994), as Frank James
- *True Lies* (1994), as Simon — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/true-lies.md)
- *Future Shock* (1994), as Vince
- *Tombstone* (1993), as Morgan Earp
- *Frasier* (1993), series, as Ernie (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/frasier.md)
- *Monolith* (1993), as Tucker
- *Indian Summer* (1993), as Jack Belston
- *Boxing Helena* (1993), as Ray O'Malley
- *Trespass* (1992), as Vince
- *The Vagrant* (1992), as Graham Krakowski
- *One False Move* (1992), as Dale "Hurricane" Dixon — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/one-false-move.md)
- *The Dark Backward* (1991), as Gus
- *Predator 2* (1990), as Jerry Lambert — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/predator-2.md)
- *Navy Seals* (1990), as Floyd Dane
- *The Last of the Finest* (1990), as Howard 'Hojo' Jones
- *Brain Dead* (1990), as Jim Reston
- *The Making of Slipstream* (1989), Actor
- *Next of Kin* (1989), as Gerald Gates
- *Slipstream* (1989), as Matt Owens
- *Tales from the Crypt* (1989), series, as Billy DeLuca
- *The Roommate* (1989), Actor
- *Back to Back* (1989), as Bo Brand
- *Pass the Ammo* (1988), as Jesse Wilkes
- *Martini Ranch: Reach* (1988), as The Outlaw · Writer, Producer
- *Near Dark* (1987), as Severen — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/near-dark.md)
- *Zabagabee* (1987), Director
- *Fresno* (1986), series, as Billy Joe Bobb
- *Aliens* (1986), as Private Hudson — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/film/aliens.md)
- *Commando* (1985), as Intercept Officer — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/commando.md)
- *Weird Science* (1985), as Chet
- *An Early Frost* (1985), as Bob Maracek
- *The Atlanta Child Murders* (1985), series, as Campbell
- *The Terminator* (1984), as Punk Leader — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/the-terminator.md)
- *Impulse* (1984), as Eddie
- *Miami Vice* (1984), series, as Vic Romano — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/miami-vice.md)
- *Streets of Fire* (1984), as Clyde the Bartender
- *The Hitchhiker* (1983), series, as Trout
- *Deadly Lessons* (1983), as Eddie Fox
- *The Lords of Discipline* (1983), as Gilbreath
- *Riding Fast* (1983), as Bobo
- *Great Day* (1983), as Rudy
- *Taking Tiger Mountain* (1982), as Billy Hampton · Production Design
- *Mortuary* (1982), as Paul Andrews
- *Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker* (1981), as Eddie
- *Galaxy of Terror* (1981), as Set Decoration
- *Stripes* (1981), as Soldier — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/stripes.md)
- *Fish Heads* (1980), Director, Producer, Cinematography, Editor
- *The Six O'Clock Follies* (1980), series, Actor
- *The Egyptian Princess* (1977), as The Man · Producer
- *Death Game* (1977), Assistant Art Director
- *Eat My Dust* (1976), as Set Decoration
- *Beach Blanket Bango* (1975), as Art Direction
- *Crazy Mama* (1975), as John
- *Big Bad Mama* (1974), as Set Dresser

## Gallery

- ![Bill Paxton as Fred Haise in Apollo 13 (1995)](https://film.one/media/title/4389/still-19a4a5cb67ff.jpg) Bill Paxton as Fred Haise in *Apollo 13* (1995) — Image via TMDB
- ![Bill Paxton as Bill Henrickson in Big Love (2006)](https://film.one/media/title/8665/still-a19e066cd382.jpg) Bill Paxton as Bill Henrickson in *Big Love* (2006) — Image via TMDB
- ![Bill Paxton](https://film.one/media/person/9444/gallery-e40ab215c1cc.jpg) Bill Paxton — Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2f/Bill_Paxton_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg/1280px-Bill_Paxton_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Bill Paxton speaking at the 2014 WonderCon, for "Edge of Tomorrow", at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore i](https://film.one/media/person/9444/gallery-68fb6d0e96b7.jpg) Bill Paxton speaking at the 2014 WonderCon, for "Edge of Tomorrow", at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore i — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a6/Bill_Paxton_%2813924251066%29.jpg/1280px-Bill_Paxton_%2813924251066%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Bill Paxton speaking at the 2014 WonderCon, for "Edge of Tomorrow", at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore i](https://film.one/media/person/9444/gallery-890cd5f00268.jpg) Bill Paxton speaking at the 2014 WonderCon, for "Edge of Tomorrow", at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore i — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/19/Bill_Paxton_%2813924271042%29.jpg/1280px-Bill_Paxton_%2813924271042%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Bill Paxton speaking at the 2014 WonderCon, for "Edge of Tomorrow", at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore i](https://film.one/media/person/9444/gallery-1dbe4420c54a.jpg) Bill Paxton speaking at the 2014 WonderCon, for "Edge of Tomorrow", at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore i — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/05/Bill_Paxton_%2813924286501%29.jpg/1280px-Bill_Paxton_%2813924286501%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Bill Paxton](https://film.one/media/person/9444/gallery-771ffa88b0f3.jpg) Bill Paxton — Image via TMDB
- ![Bill Paxton](https://film.one/media/person/9444/gallery-0f97175fc9c6.jpg) Bill Paxton — Image via TMDB
- ![Bill Paxton](https://film.one/media/person/9444/gallery-9ce5219350e5.jpg) Bill Paxton — Image via TMDB
- ![Bill Paxton speaking at the 2014 WonderCon, for "Edge of Tomorrow", at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore i](https://film.one/media/person/9444/gallery-b620bafc384c.jpg) Bill Paxton speaking at the 2014 WonderCon, for "Edge of Tomorrow", at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore i — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0b/Bill_Paxton_%2813924200742%29.jpg/1280px-Bill_Paxton_%2813924200742%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Bill Paxton speaking at the 2014 WonderCon, for "Edge of Tomorrow", at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore i](https://film.one/media/person/9444/gallery-35878215bc1c.jpg) Bill Paxton speaking at the 2014 WonderCon, for "Edge of Tomorrow", at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore i — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/77/Bill_Paxton_%2813924218661%29.jpg/1280px-Bill_Paxton_%2813924218661%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Bill Paxton](https://film.one/media/person/9444/gallery-897d04ab6bc4.jpg) Bill Paxton — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 2012: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie (nominated), for *Hatfields & McCoys*

### SAG Awards — 1 won, 2 nominated

- 2013: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie (nominated), for *Hatfields & McCoys*
- 1998: Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture (nominated), for *Titanic*
- 1996: Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture (won), for *Apollo 13*

### Other awards — 0 won, 4 nominated

- Satellite Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama 2009: Satellite Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama (nominated), for *Big Love*
- Satellite Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama 2007: Satellite Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama (nominated), for *Big Love*
- Best Sports Movie ESPY Award 2006: Best Sports Movie ESPY Award (nominated), for *The Greatest Game Ever Played*
- Satellite Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama 2006: Satellite Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama (nominated), for *Big Love*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/bill-paxton