--- name: "Billy Zane" canonical: "https://film.one/person/billy-zane" fi1m_id: "billy-zane" imdb_id: "nm0000708" tmdb_id: 1954 wikidata_id: "Q205435" roles: ["Actor"] born: "24 February 1966" reviewed_on_fi1m: 7 average_fi1m_score: 69 average_as: "actor" average_over: 7 updated: "2026-10-04T23:28:41.385421+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." --- # Billy Zane ## Identity Billy Zane - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/billy-zane - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** billy-zane - **IMDb ID:** nm0000708 - **TMDB ID:** 1954 - **Wikidata ID:** Q205435 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Zane, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q205435, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000708/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1954 Actor. Born 24 February 1966 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 24 February 1966, Chicago, Illinois, USA - **Active:** 1985–2018 - **Also known as:** William George Zane, Jr. , William Zane - **Average Fi1m score:** 69, as actor, over 7 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 80 (3), 1990s 74 (3), 2010s 24 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 69 to 65 across 7 titles - **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 2 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 1 of 5 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Drama 4, Adventure 3, Comedy 3, Science Fiction 2, Action 1, Crime 1 - **Screen time:** 13 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $3,052m across 7 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Zane, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q205435, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000708/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1954 ## Streaming the US now - **Paramount+:** [*Titanic*](https://film.one/film/titanic.md) (84) - **The Roku Channel:** [*Dead Calm*](https://film.one/film/dead-calm.md) (73) - **Tubi:** [*Posse*](https://film.one/film/posse.md) (58) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Billy Zane > Billy Zane can make charm feel threatening, and he embraces the heightened acting that pulp invites. We rate the commitment, though *Titanic* shows how easily a screenplay can use his force to make the same point once too often. In *Titanic* (1997), Billy Zane gives Cal Hockley enough force to make the screenplay’s repeated explanations unnecessary. James Cameron keeps insisting on how we should judge the people on either side of the class divide. Zane leaves little doubt about Cal, which makes that insistence tiresome. We were frustrated by how little room the writing gave him once his character had been established. The performance does its job in a film we warmly recommend, but there is scarcely an opportunity to suggest something we have not already understood. His breakthrough came as the menacing Hughie Warriner in *Dead Calm* (1989). Small parts in *Back to the Future* (1985) and *Critters* (1986) had come first. There were alternatives to villainy: Shelmerdine opposite Tilda Swinton in *Orlando* (1992), then the title hero of *The Phantom* (1996). The latter gave his taste for heightened, self-aware acting a suitable comic-book setting. We value an actor willing to embrace that sort of material without apologising for its tone. After *Titanic*, villainous typecasting limited the offers of heroic leads, while his career moved towards lower-profile films and character work in features and television. That is no reason to judge all his work by Cal. The ability to combine charm with menace is worth having, even if casting him as another villain can become an easy decision. His willingness to play at a heightened pitch also needs material that welcomes it. Cameron’s film is the useful caution here, precisely because so much of it works. Kate Winslet supplies conviction where the dialogue is weak; Zane faces a character whose broadness leaves less to work with. His force cannot make Cal more complicated than the screenplay allows, and asking him to do so would confuse an actor’s task with a writer’s. We would welcome more parts that let his charm complicate our first impression rather than confirm it. For a different introduction, try *The Phantom*, where he gets to be the hero. ## Biography Billy Zane is an American actor, also credited as William George Zane Jr. Born on 24 February 1966 in Chicago, Illinois, he attended the American School in Switzerland and Harand Camp of the Theatre Arts before graduating from Francis W. Parker School. He has an older sister, the actress Lisa Zane. Zane began his screen career with a role in *Back to the Future* (1985). He played Shelmerdine in *Orlando* (1992) and Cal Hockley in *Titanic* (1997). Other credits include John Justice Wheeler in *Twin Peaks* (1990) and the title role in *The Phantom* (1996). *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (7) - *Holmes & Watson* (2018), Fi1m 24, as Billy Zane — [page](https://film.one/film/holmes-and-watson.md) - *Titanic* (1997), Fi1m 84, as Cal Hockley — [page](https://film.one/film/titanic.md) - *Posse* (1993), Fi1m 58, as Colonel Graham — [page](https://film.one/film/posse.md) - *Orlando* (1992), Fi1m 81, as Shelmerdine — [page](https://film.one/film/orlando.md) - *Back to the Future Part II* (1989), Fi1m 74, as Match — [page](https://film.one/film/back-to-the-future-part-ii.md) - *Dead Calm* (1989), Fi1m 73, as Hughie Warriner — [page](https://film.one/film/dead-calm.md) - *Back to the Future* (1985), Fi1m 92, as Match — [page](https://film.one/film/back-to-the-future.md) ## Complete filmography (176) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *President Curtis* (2026), series, as Salem Montgomery (voice) - *Takeover* (2026), as Gamal Akopyan - *Special Op: Rent-a-Cop* (2026), as Malachi - *Tapawingo* (2025), as Stoney Tarwater - *Waltzing with Brando* (2025), as Marlon Brando · Producer - *Deadly Vows* (2025), as Det. Manny - *Day of Reckoning* (2025), as Butch Hayden · Executive Producer - *Don't Mess with Grandma* (2024), as Stan - *Held Hostage in My House* (2024), as Dr. Walter - *Devil on Campus: The Larry Ray Story* (2024), as Larry Ray - *Single Car Crashes* (2024), as Coach Jim - *The Oath* (2023), as King Aaron - *INT. HALLWAY / NIGHT* (2023), as Graham · Director - *Stay Calm* (2023), as Giorgio - *Centurion: The Dancing Stallion* (2023), as Jeffrey Hall - *Prophets of Change* (2022), as Narrator - *Iké Boys* (2022), as Newt Grafstrom - *Titanic Secrets* (2022), series, as Narrator - *Trouble Sleeping* (2022), as Charles - *Hellblazers* (2022), as Joshua - *MacGruber* (2021), series, as Brigadier Commander Enos Queeth - *Rupture* (2021), as Victor - *True Story* (2021), series, as Ari - *The Believer* (2021), as Dr. Benedict - *Battle of the Bulge: Winter War* (2020), Actor - *Final Kill* (2020), as Carl Riser - *Guest House* (2020), as Douglas Masters - *Ghosts of War* (2020), as Dr. Engel · Executive Producer - *The Great War* (2019), as Colonel Jack Morrison - *The Boys* (2019), series, as Alastair Adana in 'Not Without My Dolphin', Billy Zane — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-boys.md) - *The Ballet of the Nations* (2019), as Narrator - *Cliffs of Freedom* (2019), as Christo - *Curfew* (2019), series, as Joker Jones - *Holmes & Watson* (2018), as Billy Zane — Fi1m 24, [page](https://film.one/film/holmes-and-watson.md) - *Lucid* (2018), as Elliot - *Deception* (2018), series, as Switch, Bishop - *Samson* (2018), as King Balek - *Sniper: Ultimate Kill* (2017), as Richard Miller - *Blue World Order* (2017), Actor - *The Adventure Club* (2017), as Langley - *Swing State* (2017), as Richard Sollow - *A Winter Rose* (2016), as Preston Holdsworth - *Sniper: Ghost Shooter* (2016), as Richard Miller - *White Island* (2016), as Leo - *Dead Rising: Endgame* (2016), as Dr. Leon Rand - *Guilt* (2016), series, as Stan Gutterie - *Zoolander 2* (2016), as Billy Zane - *DC's Legends of Tomorrow* (2016), series, as P.T. Barnum - *West of Redemption* (2015), as Hank Keller - *Winter Dragon* (2015), as Ishamael - *Zombie Killers: Elephant's Graveyard* (2015), as Seiler - *Mad Dogs* (2015), series, as Milo - *Beyond the Game* (2014), as Tom Reynolds - *Mining for Ruby* (2014), as Sam Goodwell - *The Ganzfeld Haunting* (2014), as Father - *Ghost of Goodnight Lane* (2014), as Alan - *Guido* (2014), as Sid Shine - *Scorned* (2013), as Kevin - *Blood of Redemption* (2013), as Quinn - *The Employer* (2013), as Alan - *A Green Story* (2013), as Greg Hutchins - *Barabbas* (2013), series, as Barabbas - *Barabbas* (2012), as Barabbas - *Blackout* (2012), as Frank Wilcox - *Border Run* (2012), as Aaron - *The Kill Hole* (2012), as Marshall - *2 Jacks* (2012), as Max Faraday - *Electrick Children* (2012), as Paul - *Hannah's Law* (2012), as Lockwood - *Leprechaun's Revenge* (2012), as Sheriff Connor O'Hara - *The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption* (2012), as Talus - *Lovemakers* (2011), as Jake's Agent - *Mysteria* (2011), as Producer - *Flutter* (2011), as Edwin - *Mercenaries* (2011), as Colonel Torida - *Sniper: Reloaded* (2011), as Richard Miller - *The Roommate* (2011), as Professor Roberts - *The Confidant* (2010), as Monty - *Enemies Among Us* (2010), as Graham - *The Deep End* (2010), series, as Cliff Huddle - *Journey to Promethea* (2010), as King Laypach - *Attack on Darfur* (2009), as Bob Jones - *Magic Man* (2009), as Darius - *Evil - In the Time of Heroes* (2009), as Prophitis - *Community* (2009), series, as Honda Boss — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/community.md) - *The Gold Retrievers* (2009), as Hector - *Surviving Evil* (2009), as Sebastian Beazley - *Blue Seduction* (2009), as Mikey Taylor - *Love n' Dancing* (2009), as Kent Krandel - *The Hessen Affair* (2009), as Jack Durant - *Perfect Hideout* (2008), as Victor - *The Man Who Came Back* (2008), as Ezra - *Samantha Who?* (2007), series, as Winston Funk - *Fishtales* (2007), as Thomas Bradley - *Alien Agent* (2007), as Tom / Saylon - *The Mad* (2007), as Jason Hunt - *Memory* (2006), as Taylor Briggs - *Psych* (2006), series, as Ian Collins - *The Pleasure Drivers* (2006), as Marvin - *The Last Drop* (2006), as Robert Oates - *Valley of the Wolves: Iraq* (2006), as Sam William Marshall - *BloodRayne* (2006), as Elrich - *Three* (2005), as Jack - *Dead Fish* (2005), as Virgil - *Silver City* (2004), as Chandler Tyson - *Vlad* (2004), as Adrian - *Bet Your Life* (2004), as Joseph - *The Kiss* (2003), as Alan Roberts / Young Philip - *Silent Warnings* (2003), as Bill Willingham - *Starving Hysterical Naked* (2003), as Jack - *Claim* (2002), as Roberto Bealing - *Landspeed* (2002), as Michael Sanger - *Morgan's Ferry* (2001), as Sam - *Invincible* (2001), as Oz - *The Diamond of Jeru* (2001), as Mike Kardec - *Zoolander* (2001), as Billy Zane (uncredited) — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/zoolander.md) - *The Believer* (2001), as Curtis Zampf - *CQ* (2001), as Mr. E - *Boston Public* (2000), series, as Matthew Baskin - *Hendrix* (2000), as Michael Jeffrey - *Sole Survivor* (2000), as Joe Carpenter - *Howard Hughes: His Women and His Movies* (2000), as Narrator (voice) - *Promise Her Anything* (1999), as George Putter - *Cleopatra* (1999), series, as Marc Antony - *Susan's Plan* (1998), as Sam Myers - *Charmed* (1998), series, as Drake - *I Woke Up Early the Day I Died* (1998), as The Thief · Producer - *Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World* (1998), as John Rolfe (voice) - *Titanic* (1997), as Cal Hockley — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/titanic.md) - *The New Batman Adventures* (1997), series, as Etrigan the Demon / Jason Blood (voice) - *This World, Then the Fireworks* (1997), as Marty Lakewood · Executive Producer - *Head Above Water* (1996), as Kent - *Danger Zone* (1996), as Rick Morgan · Co-Producer - *The Phantom* (1996), as The Phantom / Kit Walker - *The Set Up* (1995), as Charles Thorpe - *Lake Consequence* (1995), as Billy - *Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight* (1995), as The Collector - *Flashfire* (1994), as Jack Finder - *Reflections on a Crime* (1994), as Colin - *Running Delilah* (1994), as Paul - *The Silence of the Hams* (1994), as Jo Dee Foster - *Only You* (1994), as The False Damon Bradley - *Tombstone* (1993), as Mr. Fabian - *Poetic Justice* (1993), as Brad - *Betrayal of the Dove* (1993), as Jesse Peter - *Posse* (1993), as Colonel Graham — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/posse.md) - *Sniper* (1993), as Richard Miller - *Orlando* (1992), as Shelmerdine — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/orlando.md) - *Megaville* (1992), as Palinov / Jenson - *Critters 3* (1991), as Steve (archive footage) - *Blood and Concrete* (1991), as Joey Turks - *Femme Fatale* (1991), as Elijah - *Millions* (1991), as Maurizio Ferretti - *Memphis Belle* (1990), as Val Kozlowski - *Twin Peaks* (1990), series, as John Justice Wheeler — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/twin-peaks.md) - *Back to the Future Part II* (1989), as Match — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/back-to-the-future-part-ii.md) - *Tales from the Crypt* (1989), series, as Miles Federman - *Going Overboard* (1989), as King Neptune - *Dead Calm* (1989), as Hughie Warriner — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/dead-calm.md) - *The Case of the Hillside Stranglers* (1989), as Kenneth Bianchi - *Police Story: Monster Manor* (1988), as Officer Don Varney - *Police Story* (1988), series, as Officer Don Varney - *Conspiracy: The Trial of the Chicago 8* (1987), as Cop - *Heart of the City* (1986), series, as Greg - *The Brotherhood of Justice* (1986), as Les - *Critters* (1986), as Steve Elliot - *Matlock* (1986), series, as Eric Dawson - *Back to the Future* (1985), as Match — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/film/back-to-the-future.md) - *Murder, She Wrote* (1984), series, as Tony Gambini - *Big Kiss*, as Billy - *Wekiwa*, Actor - *Mascotland*, Actor - *Faceless*, Actor - *Redemption*, Actor - *Blood Rush*, as Aamon - *Milliseconds*, as Executive Producer ## Gallery - ![Billy Zane (2008)](https://film.one/media/person/81500/gallery-7dea5eff2761.jpg) Billy Zane (2008) — Elena Torre from Viareggio, Italia; edited by Jaqen, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/09/Billy_Zane.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Billy Zane at GalaxyCon Raleigh in 2019](https://film.one/media/person/81500/gallery-f2febddc8f31.jpg) Billy Zane at GalaxyCon Raleigh in 2019 — Super Festivals from Ft. Lauderdale, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/55/Billy_Zane_%2848482180502%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Billy Zane at GalaxyCon Raleigh in 2019](https://film.one/media/person/81500/gallery-be72a55d970d.jpg) Billy Zane at GalaxyCon Raleigh in 2019 — Super Festivals from Ft. Lauderdale, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c5/Billy_Zane_%2848483759231%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Billy Zane](https://film.one/media/person/81500/gallery-8feeedd52662.jpg) Billy Zane — Super Festivals, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/da/Billy_Zane_Photo_Op_GalaxyCon_Raleigh_2019.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Billy Zane](https://film.one/media/person/81500/gallery-3da37015241d.jpg) Billy Zane — Image via TMDB - ![Billy Zane](https://film.one/media/person/81500/gallery-1b2c455dc3bb.jpg) Billy Zane — Image via TMDB - ![Billy Zane](https://film.one/media/person/81500/gallery-fb9ab81d201a.jpg) Billy Zane — Image via TMDB - ![Billy Zane at GalaxyCon Raleigh in 2025](https://film.one/media/person/81500/gallery-92ae39f4777e.jpg) Billy Zane at GalaxyCon Raleigh in 2025 — Super Festivals, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/86/Billy_Zane_Photo_Op_GalaxyCon_Raleigh_2025.jpg/1280px-Billy_Zane_Photo_Op_GalaxyCon_Raleigh_2025.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) --- © 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/billy-zane