• Bill Paxton was an American actor and director, who became famous through his roles in the films “Apollo 13” and “Twister”, and the TV drama series “Big Love.”
• He started his career in 1974 as a production assistant, and gained more projects in the 1980s, including the sci-fi hit “Aliens” in 1986.
• In the 1990s he starred in the movie “Tombstone” in 1993 and “True Lies” in 1994, before he gained more fame for his performances in the movie “Apollo 13” in 1995, and “Twister” in 1996.
• In 2006, he decided to focus more on television, and subsequently starred in the drama series “Big Love.”
• Paxton died on 25 February 2017 from a stroke following a heart surgery.
Known for movies
Titanic (1997)
as Brock Lovett
Apollo 13 (1995)
as Fred Haise
Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
as Master Sergeant Farell
Aliens (1986)
as Private Hudson
Short Info
| Net Worth | $30 million |
| Date Of Birth | May 17, 1955 |
| Spouse | Louise Newbury, Kelly Rowan |
| Mark | Frequently works with James Cameron |
| Fact | Son of John Paxton. |
Contents
Who was Bill Paxton from “Titanic”?
Born William Paxton on the 17th of May 1955, Bill was an American actor and director, who became famous through his roles in the films “Apollo 13” and “Twister”, and the TV drama series “Big Love.”
Bill Paxton’s Childhood and Early Life
Paxton attended Arlington Heights High School, and after matriculating flew to England for college, studying in Richmond College. He then also studied for awhile at New York University, before he moved to Los Angeles to become an actor, and where he studied under the mentorship of Stella Adler, but decided to leave after two years.
How did Bill Paxton become famous?
Posted by Bill Motherfuckin Paxton on Monday, July 10, 2017
Paxton’s career started in 1974 when he moved to Los Angeles and tried to find work in the film industry. His first job was as a production assistant in an industrial film, and later on he found work as a set dresser. It wasn’t until 1975 that he was cast in a support role in the film “Crazy Mama.”
In the 1980’s Paxton gained more projects, and starred in a couple of films including “The Lord of Discipline” in 1983, “The Terminator” in 1984, and the sci-fi hit “Aliens” in 1986. In 1992, he made a memorable appearance in the movie “One False Move”, leading the film alongside Billy Bob Thornton. His early years as an actor helped establish his career, and also increased his net worth considerably.
Eventually, Paxton gained more lead roles in the ‘90s, initially in the movies “Tombstone” in 1993 and “True Lies” in 1994, before he gained more fame for his performances in the movie “Apollo 13” in 1995, and “Twister” in 1996, significantly raising his net worth.
Paxton appeared in more movies in the 2000s, starring in films including “Vertical Limit”, “Ghosts of the Abyss”, and “Thunderbirds.” Then in 2006, he decided to focus more on television, and subsequently starred in the drama series “Big Love.”
Happy #AlienDay tribute to the mighty #BillPaxton gone way too soon! #alienday426 pic.twitter.com/B1k6ieH3TS
— Serena Chloe Gardner (@SerenaChloe) April 26, 2018
The HBO series became a huge hit, with the story revolving around Paxton’s character Bill Henrickson who’s involved in a polygamous relationship. He starred alongside Jeanne Tripplehorn, Chloe Sevigny, and Ginnifer Goodwin as his wives, and received multiple nominations for Best Actor from various award-giving bodies. The success of the show also helped elevate his career, and tremendously increased his wealth.
After the success of “Big Love”, Paxton continued to appear in other television series, including “Hatfields & McCoys” in 2012, “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” in 2014, and “Texas Rising” in 2015.
Before he passed away, Paxton also joined the film “The Circle”, which became his final film appearance. The movie was released two months after his passing.
Bill Paxton’s Net Worth
Based on authoritative sources, Paxton’s net worth is reported to be over $40 million as of early 2018. His longstanding career in the film industry, in which he appeared in more than 60 movies and over 20 television productions, provided the main source of his wealth.
Bill Paxton’s Family
Paxton was married to Kelly Rowlan from 1979 to 1980. Later on, he remarried in 1987 to Louise Newbury and together they had two children, James and Lydia, and remained together until his demise.
Bill Paxton’s Death
Paxton died on 25 February 2017 from a stroke following a heart surgery. Prior to his death, he opened up in an interview that he had a damaged heart valve due to rheumatic fever he had suffered during his youth.
Paxton had surgery to have a heart valve and aorta operated on, but complications arose afterwards that cost him his life at the age of 61. He is interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
General Info
| Full Name | Bill Paxton |
| Net Worth | $30 million |
| Date Of Birth | May 17, 1955 |
| Height | 1.8 m |
| Profession | Film producer, Film director, Actor |
| Education | New York University |
| Nationality | American |
Family
| Spouse | Louise Newbury, Kelly Rowan |
| Children | James Paxton, Lydia Paxton |
| Parents | John Paxton, Mary Lou Paxton |
| Siblings | Bob Paxton |
Accomplishments
| Awards | Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture |
| Nominations | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Movie, Satellite Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama, Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama, Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a... |
| Movies | Aliens, Titanic, Frailty, Twister, The Terminator, Edge of Tomorrow, Weird Science, True Lies, Apollo 13, Tombstone, One False Move, Near Dark, Nightcrawler, U-571, A Simple Plan, Vertical Limit, Mighty Joe Young, 2 Guns, Predator 2, Club Dread, Next of Kin, Haywire, The Greatest Game Ever Played, T... |
| TV Shows | Texas Rising, Hatfields & McCoys, America in Primetime, Big Love, Fresno, The Atlanta Child Murders, The Six O'Clock Follies, Biography, Festival Pass with Chris Gore |
Social profile links
Marks
| # | Marks / Signs |
|---|---|
| 1 | Frequently works with James Cameron |
| 2 | Frequently portrays characters who are dead by the end of their respective films (i.e. The Terminator (1984), Aliens (1986), Next of Kin (1989), Navy Seals (1990), Predator 2 (1990), Tombstone (1993), U-571 (2000), Vertical Limit (2000), Club Dread (2004)) |
Quotes
| # | Quote |
|---|---|
| 1 | [on his experiences as a director] I have great empathy for my actors. They trust me because they know that I have been on the front end of the camera. |
| 2 | Anyone who's worked very hard on a craft or an art to get a certain precision in terms of execution and performance wants to get past all that stuff that holds you up - your ego, all the doubts. |
| 3 | [on James Cameron] This guy has more integrity than anyone I ever met in my life. |
| 4 | [on auditioning for The Doors (1991)] I read my ass off. At the time I was doing Navy Seals (1990) and I flew up with short hair and a mustache to read for the lead. [Oliver Stone's] response was, "Well, I just don't see it". |
| 5 | I support the troops. This is tough time right now. I think a lot of people in our industry are afraid to speak out. I had a drink with Sean Penn the other night. He went over to Baghdad in December just to see for himself what was going on. And that guy is as American as anybody I ever met. |
| 6 | I've always loved movies about con men. I think con men are as American as apple pie. |
| 7 | I want people to re-evaluate me. My dream would be to make films like Clint Eastwood did... You have to be a self-starter out here at a certain point. It's important to take the reigns or, otherwise, you can be regaled to obscurity so quickly. |
| 8 | . . . but it was movies I had always wanted to be in. I'm into the whole thing, not just performing. I love watching what goes on behind the camera. My heroes are Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd -- complete filmmakers. |
| 9 | It's very liberating to be naked in front of a hundred people, but there's nothing sexual about lovemaking on a movie set... |
Facts
| # | Fact |
|---|---|
| 1 | Working on Texas Rising (2015), he found out that he is actually related to Sam Houston. "Sam Houston and I share common grandparents, going back six generations. His mother would be a great-aunt of mine. That makes Sam Houston and me second cousins four times removed". |
| 2 | He has English, and smaller amounts of Scots-Irish, Austrian, German, French, and Swiss, ancestry. |
| 3 | Appeared on Limp Bizkit's video, "Eat You Alive". [September 2003] |
| 4 | Worked as a parking lot attendant. |
| 5 | Utters the very first line of dialog in The Terminator (1984) and, along with Brian Thompson and Brad Rearden, were the first hapless humans to confront the Terminator in the 'flesh'. Paxton was the punk with the blue spiky hairdo. |
| 6 | As an eight-year-old, he was in the crowd waving when President John F. Kennedy emerged from the Hotel Texas in Fort Worth, Texas, on the morning of November 22, 1963. There are pictures at the Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas where the young Paxton can clearly be seen astride the shoulders of an unidentified man. |
| 7 | Is the only other actor, along with Lance Henriksen, to have been killed by a terminator, an alien, and a predator on screen. Bill was also killed by his character's own son in Frailty (2001). |
| 8 | Is the only other actor, along with Lance Henriksen, to appear in the Alien, Predator and Terminator film series. |
| 9 | Lives in Ojai, California. |
| 10 | For his role on Tombstone (1993), he was trained by renowned Hollywood Gun Coach Thell Reed, who has also trained such actors as: Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Sam Elliot, Leonardo DiCaprio, Girard Swan, Michael Biehn and Ben Foster. |
| 11 | Inducted into the Texas Film Hall of Fame during their annual induction gala at Austin Studios in Austin, Texas on March 9, 2007 for his career achievement in the motion picture film industry. The Texas Film Hall of Fame inductees are native-born Texans who have achieved excellence in their film career. |
| 12 | Was the first choice as Robert Langdon in The Da Vinci Code (2006). He turned the part down because he was already signed for Big Love (2006). Tom Hanks was cast for the film instead. Coincidentally, Hanks served as executive producer on Paxton's show "Big Love (2006). |
| 13 | Has appeared in five films with Michael Biehn: The Lords of Discipline (1983), The Terminator (1984), Aliens (1986), Navy Seals (1990) and Tombstone (1993). |
| 14 | He has earned the nickname "Wild Bill" among friends and co-stars for his apparently crazed sense of humor and his love for elaborate pranks. |
| 15 | Attended Arlington Heights High School in Fort Worth, Texas, the same high school as John Denver and Lee Harvey Oswald (who left before he graduated). |
| 16 | Learned to speak German to prepare for his part in the Pat Benatar video "Shadows of the Night". |
| 17 | Bill's paternal grandfather was a friend and neighbor to the great American painter Thomas Hart Benton. |
| 18 | Met his wife Louise Newbury on a #13 bus in London. She is his second wife. |
| 19 | Son of John Paxton. |
| 20 | Member of the 1980s rock band Martini Ranch. James Cameron directed a video for their song "Reach" featuring many Cameron alumni (Kathryn Bigelow, Lance Henriksen, Jenette Goldstein). |
| 21 | Co-authored and produced the short "Scoop" (1983), which won an Honorable Mention at the 1983 USA Film Festival. |
| 22 | Has two children with Louise Newbury: James Paxton (b. 1994) and Lydia (b. 19 December 1997). |
| 23 | As a teen, Bill caddied for golf great Ben Hogan in Fort Worth. |
| 24 | Bill had rheumatic fever in the 7th grade. It kept him hospitalized for a month and bedridden for four months. He had to take regular doses of penicillin until he was 18. |
Pictures
Movies
Actor
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Training Day | 2017 | TV Series | Det. Frank Rourke |
| The Circle | 2017/I | Vinnie | |
| Mean Dreams | 2016 | Wayne Caraway | |
| Term Life | 2016 | Joe Keenan | |
| The Gamechangers | 2015 | TV Movie | Jack Thompson |
| Texas Rising | 2015 | TV Mini-Series | Sam Houston |
| Pixies | 2015 | Eddie Beck (voice) | |
| Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare - Exo Zombies | 2015 | Video Game | Kahn (voice) |
| Nightcrawler | 2014 | Joe Loder | |
| Edge of Tomorrow | 2014 | Master Sergeant Farell | |
| Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. | 2014 | TV Series | John Garrett |
| Million Dollar Arm | 2014 | Tom House | |
| Red Wing | 2013 | Jim Verret | |
| 2 Guns | 2013 | Earl | |
| Head Smash: The Prequel | 2013 | Short | Maurice (voice) |
| The Colony | 2013/I | Mason | |
| Hatfields & McCoys | 2012 | TV Mini-Series | Randall McCoy |
| Sky Soldier | 2012 | TV Movie | Narrator |
| Shanghai Calling | 2012 | Donald | |
| Haywire | 2011 | John Kane | |
| Big Love | 2006-2011 | TV Series | Bill Henrickson |
| Big Love: In the Beginning | 2007 | TV Series | Bill Henrickson |
| The Good Life | 2007 | Robbie | |
| Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D | 2005 | Documentary short | Ed Mitchell (voice) |
| Haven | 2004/I | Carl Ridley | |
| Thunderbirds | 2004 | Jeff Tracy | |
| Club Dread | 2004 | Coconut Pete | |
| Spy Kids 3: Game Over | 2003 | Dinky Winks | |
| Resistance | 2003 | Maj. Theodore 'Ted' Brice | |
| Frasier | 2003 | TV Series | Ernie |
| Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams | 2002 | Dinky Winks | |
| Frailty | 2001 | Dad Meiks | |
| Vertical Limit | 2000 | Elliot Vaughn | |
| U-571 | 2000 | Lt. Cmdr. Mike Dahlgren | |
| Mighty Joe Young | 1998 | Gregg O'Hara | |
| A Simple Plan | 1998 | Hank | |
| A Bright Shining Lie | 1998 | TV Movie | John Paul Vann |
| Titanic | 1997 | Brock Lovett | |
| Traveller | 1997 | Bokky | |
| The Evening Star | 1996 | Jerry Bruckner | |
| Twister | 1996 | Bill Harding | |
| Frank & Jesse | 1995 | Frank James | |
| The Last Supper | 1995/I | Zachary Cody | |
| Apollo 13 | 1995/I | Fred Haise | |
| True Lies | 1994 | Simon | |
| Future Shock | 1994 | Vince | |
| Tombstone | 1993 | Morgan Earp | |
| Tales from the Crypt | 1993 | TV Series | Billy DeLuca |
| Monolith | 1993 | Tucker | |
| Indian Summer | 1993 | Jack Belston | |
| Boxing Helena | 1993 | Ray O'Malley | |
| Trespass | 1992 | Vince | |
| The Vagrant | 1992 | Graham Krakowski | |
| One False Move | 1992 | Dale 'Hurricane' Dixon | |
| The Dark Backward | 1991 | Gus | |
| Predator 2 | 1990 | Jerry Lambert | |
| Navy Seals | 1990 | Dane | |
| The Last of the Finest | 1990 | Howard 'Hojo' Jones | |
| Brain Dead | 1990 | Jim Reston | |
| New Order: Substance | 1989 | Video short video "Touched by the Hand of God" uncredited | |
| Next of Kin | 1989 | Gerald Gates | |
| Back to Back | 1989 | Bo Brand | |
| Slipstream | 1989 | Matt Owens | |
| The Roommate | 1989 | Short | |
| Riding Fast | 1988 | Bobo | |
| Pass the Ammo | 1988 | Jesse Wilkes | |
| Martini Ranch: Reach | 1988 | Video short | The Outlaw |
| Near Dark | 1987 | Severen | |
| The Hitchhiker | 1987 | TV Series | Trout |
| Miami Vice | 1986 | TV Series | Vic Romano |
| Fresno | 1986 | TV Mini-Series | Billy Joe Bobb |
| Aliens | 1986 | Private Hudson | |
| An Early Frost | 1985 | TV Movie | Bob Maracek |
| Commando | 1985 | Intercept Officer | |
| Weird Science | 1985 | Chet Donnelly | |
| The Atlanta Child Murders | 1985 | TV Mini-Series | Campbell |
| Pat Benatar: Hit Videos | 1984 | Video short | Radio Operator (Radio Operator (segment "Shadows of the Night") |
| The Terminator | 1984 | Punk Leader | |
| Impulse | 1984 | Eddie | |
| Streets of Fire | 1984 | Clyde the Bartender | |
| Taking Tiger Mountain | 1983 | Billy Hampton | |
| Mortuary | 1983/I | Paul Andrews | |
| Deadly Lessons | 1983 | TV Movie | Eddie Fox |
| The Lords of Discipline | 1983 | Gilbreath (as 'Wild' Bill Paxton) | |
| Great Day | 1983 | TV Movie | Rudy |
| Night Warning | 1982 | Eddie (as William Paxton) | |
| McClain's Law | 1982 | TV Series | Michael |
| Barnes & Barnes: Love Tap | 1981 | Short | The Man |
| Stripes | 1981 | Soldier | |
| The Six O'Clock Follies | 1980 | TV Series | |
| Fish Heads | 1980 | Short | Main Character (uncredited) |
| The Egyptian Princess, an Unfolding Fantasy | 1977 | Short | The Man |
| Crazy Mama | 1975 | John (uncredited) |
Producer
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parkland | 2013 | producer | |
| The Good Life | 2007 | executive producer | |
| Traveller | 1997 | producer | |
| Martini Ranch: Reach | 1988 | Video short producer | |
| Barnes & Barnes: Fish Heads | 1980 | Short executive producer - uncredited | |
| Fish Heads | 1980 | Short producer | |
| The Egyptian Princess, an Unfolding Fantasy | 1977 | Short co-producer |
Director
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tattoo | 2011/II | Short | |
| The Greatest Game Ever Played | 2005 | ||
| Frailty | 2001 | ||
| Saturday Night Live | 1980 | TV Series 1 episode | |
| Fish Heads | 1980 | Short |
Writer
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tattoo | 2011/II | Short story | |
| Barnes & Barnes: Love Tap | 1981 | Short co-writer | |
| Barnes & Barnes: Fish Heads | 1980 | Short head writer | |
| Fish Heads | 1980 | Short |
Art Department
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flicks | 1987 | assistant set dresser | |
| Death Game | 1977 | assistant set decorator | |
| Big Bad Mama | 1974 | set dresser |
Set Decorator
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy of Terror | 1981 | uncredited | |
| Eat My Dust | 1976 |
Soundtrack
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Good Life | 2007 | performer: "On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe" | |
| Club Dread | 2004 | performer: "Pleasure Island", "Ponytails Cocktails", "Pina Coladaburg", "Naughty Cal" |
Art Director
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beach Blanket Bango | 1975 | as Pete Lautrec |
Editor
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnes & Barnes: Fish Heads | 1980 | Short |
Production Designer
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taking Tiger Mountain | 1983 |
Production Manager
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trap | 1998 | unit manager |
Miscellaneous
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lost Moon: The Triumph of Apollo 13 | 1996 | Video documentary additional footage |
Thanks
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. | 2017 | TV Series in loving memory of - 1 episode | |
| Carried Away | 2009 | special thanks | |
| Hate* (*a comedy) | 1999 | Short special thanks | |
| Warner Bros. 75th Anniversary: No Guts, No Glory | 1998 | TV Movie documentary special thanks | |
| Lost Moon: The Triumph of Apollo 13 | 1996 | Video documentary special thanks |
Self
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Making of 'Alien 3' | 1992 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
| The Making of 'Trespass' | 1992 | TV Movie documentary | Vince |
| The Howard Stern Show | 1991 | TV Series | Himself - Guest |
| The Predator 2: International | 1990 | Video short | Himself |
| Martini Ranch: How Can the Laboring Man Find Time for Self-Culture | 1988 | Short | Himself |
| The Making of 'Terminator' | 1984 | TV Short documentary | Himself |
| Barnes & Barnes: Soak It Up | 1983 | Short | Himself |
| Barnes & Barnes: Fish Heads | 1980 | Short | Himself |
| Last Call with Carson Daly | 2017 | TV Series | Himself - Guest |
| The 48th NAACP Image Awards | 2017 | TV Special | Himself - Presenter |
| The Late Late Show with James Corden | 2017 | TV Series | Himself - Guest |
| The Talk | 2017 | TV Series | Himself |
| The 43rd Annual People's Choice Awards | 2017 | TV Special | Himself |
| Tom Hanks: A League of His Own | 2016 | Documentary | Himself |
| Today | 2016 | TV Series | Himself - Guest |
| Good Morning, Texas | 2015 | TV Series | Himself |
| Texas Rising: Capturing the Revolution - Filming Texas Rising | 2015 | Video short | Himself |
| Texas Rising: General Santa Anna: Leading Mexico | 2015 | Video short | Himself |
| Texas Rising: Sam Houston - A Man of the Revolution | 2015 | Video short | Himself |
| The 5th Annual Critics' Choice Television Awards | 2015 | TV Special | Himself |
| Good Morning America | 2015 | TV Series | Himself - Guest |
| Larry King Now | 2013-2015 | TV Series | Himself - Guest |
| Who Do You Think You Are? | 2015 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
| Entertainment Tonight | 2008-2015 | TV Series | Himself |
| A World on the 'Edge of Tomorrow' | 2014 | Video short | Himself |
| Edge of Tomorrow: Storming the Beach | 2014 | Video short | Himself |
| Edge of Tomorrow: Weapons of the Future | 2014 | Video short | Himself |
| The Queen Latifah Show | 2014 | TV Series | Himself - Guest |
| 2 Guns: Boston Premiere Documentary | 2013 | Video documentary short | Himself |
| JFK: The Final Hours | 2013 | TV Movie documentary | Narrator (voice) |
| Nerdist Presents: A Conversation with... Bill Paxton | 2013 | TV Movie | Himself - Guest |
| Made in Hollywood | 2013 | TV Series | Himself |
| Reflections on Titanic | 2012 | Documentary | Himself |
| Live with Kelly and Ryan | 2007-2012 | TV Series | Himself - Guest |
| Late Night with Jimmy Fallon | 2009-2012 | TV Series | Himself - Guest |
| Titanic: 100 Years On | 2012 | Himself | |
| America in Primetime | 2011 | TV Series documentary | Himself / Bill Henrickson, Big Love |
| Curiosity | 2011 | TV Series documentary | Himself - Host / Narrator (US version) |
| Overheard | 2011 | TV Series | Himself |
| Tornado Alley | 2011 | Documentary short | Himself - Narrator |
| 5 Things I Learned Today | 2010 | TV Series | Himself |
| 8th Annual Visual Effects Society Awards | 2010 | TV Special | Himself |
| Rachael Ray | 2010 | TV Series | Himself - Guest |
| The Jay Leno Show | 2010 | TV Series | Himself - Guest |
| The 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards | 2010 | TV Special | Himself - Nominee |
| Tavis Smiley | 2009 | TV Series | Himself - Guest |
| Séries express | 2009 | TV Series | Himself |
| His Highness Hollywood | 2008 | Video documentary | Himself |
| Sexo en serie | 2008 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
| E! True Hollywood Story | 2008 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
| Biography | 2008 | TV Series documentary | |
| Do You Sleep in the Nude? | 2007 | Documentary | |
| Secret's Out | 2007 | TV Series | Himself - Guest |
| The 64th Annual Golden Globe Awards | 2007 | TV Special | Himself - Nominee: Best Actor in a Television Series - Drama |
| The WIN Awards 2006 | 2006 | TV Special | Himself |
| Shootout | 2006 | TV Series | Himself |
| The View | 2006 | TV Series | Himself - Guest |
| The Reichen Show | 2005 | TV Series | Himself |
| The Tonight Show with Jay Leno | 1996-2005 | TV Series | Himself - Guest / Himself |
| The Predator Goes to Town | 2005 | Video short | Himself |
| No Strings Attached: The Making of Thunderbirds | 2003 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
| Superior Firepower: The Making of 'Aliens' | 2003 | Video documentary | Himself |
| The University Greys: From Students to Soldiers | 2003 | Documentary | Narrator (voice) |
| Modern Marvels | 2003 | TV Series documentary | Host |
| Ghosts of the Abyss | 2003 | Documentary | Himself |
| The Making of 'Frailty' | 2002 | Video documentary | Himself |
| The Making of 'Tombstone' | 2002 | Video documentary short | Himself / Morgan Earp |
| Festival Pass with Chris Gore | 2002 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
| Living in Darkness | 2002 | Video documentary | Himself |
| Anatomy of a Scene | 2002 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
| American Experience | 2001 | TV Series documentary | Himself - Reader |
| Breaking the Silence: The Making of 'Hannibal' | 2001 | Video documentary | Himself - L.A. Premiere |
| The 2001 IFP/West Independent Spirit Awards | 2001 | TV Special | Himself (uncredited) |
| The 58th Annual Golden Globe Awards | 2001 | TV Special | Himself - Presenter: Best Actress / Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV |
| HBO First Look | 1996-2000 | TV Series documentary short | Himself |
| Anatomy of a 'Twister' | 2000 | Video documentary short | Himself |
| Larry King Live | 2000 | TV Series | Himself - Guest |
| The 56th Annual Golden Globe Awards | 1999 | TV Special documentary | Himself - Nominee & Presenter |
| Saturday Night Live | 1999 | TV Series | Himself - Host / Various / Ted Nugent |
| Warner Bros. 75th Anniversary: No Guts, No Glory | 1998 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
| Late Night with Conan O'Brien | 1998 | TV Series | Himself - Guest |
| Charlie Rose | 1998 | TV Series | Himself - Guest |
| Twister: Ride It Out | 1998 | Short | Himself |
| Directors: James Cameron | 1997 | Video documentary | Himself |
| Abducted: An MTV News Special Report | 1997 | TV Movie documentary | Himself - Actor |
| The Rosie O'Donnell Show | 1997 | TV Series | Himself - Guest |
| Lost Moon: The Triumph of Apollo 13 | 1996 | Video documentary | Himself |
| The 22nd Annual People's Choice Awards | 1996 | TV Special | Himself - Presenter |
| The Oprah Winfrey Show | 1996 | TV Series | Himself - Guest |
| The 21st Annual People's Choice Awards | 1995 | TV Special | Himself - Presenter: Special Award for Ron Howard |
| The Annual 1995 ShoWest Awards | 1995 | TV Special | Himself - Presenter |
| Late Show with David Letterman | 1995 | TV Series | Himself - Guest |
| Showbiz Today | 1995 | TV Series | Himself |
| 100 Years of the Hollywood Western | 1994 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
| The Making of 'True Lies' | 1994 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
| The 9th Annual IFP/West Independent Spirit Awards | 1994 | TV Special | Himself |
Archive Footage
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extra | 2017 | TV Series | Himself |
| Hollywood Today Live | 2016-2017 | TV Series | Himself |
| Entertainment Tonight | 2015 | TV Series | Himself |
| Rumble on the Lot: Walter Hill's Streets of Fire Revisited | 2013 | Video documentary | Clyde the Bartender (uncredited) |
| Cinemassacre's Monster Madness | 2013 | TV Series documentary | Pvt. Hudson |
| Movie Guide | 2013 | TV Series | Earl |
| 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards | 2013 | TV Special | Himself - Nominee |
| Nostalgia Critic | 2011 | TV Series | Private Hudson |
| Saturday Night Live: Just Shorts | 2009 | TV Special | Himself (uncredited) |
| Reinventando Hollywood | 2008 | TV Movie documentary | Bill Henrickson |
| Boffo! Tinseltown's Bombs and Blockbusters | 2006 | Documentary | Fred Haise (uncredited) |
| Derailroaded | 2005 | Documentary | Himself |
| The Hunters and the Hunted: The Making of 'Predator 2' | 2005 | Video documentary short | Himself |
| Pat Benatar: Choice Cuts - The Complete Video Collection | 2003 | Video | Radio Operator (sRadio Operator (segment "Shadows of the Night") (uncredited) |
| Biography | 1999 | TV Series documentary | Fred Haise |
| Gomorron | 1997 | TV Series | Himself |
| Joe Bob's Drive-In Theater | 1995 | TV Series | Morgan Earp |
| Dr. Demento 20th Anniversary Collection | 1991 | Video | Main Character (segment "Fish Heads") |
| Pat Benatar: The Visual Music Collection | 1986 | Video | Radio Operator (segment "Shadows of the Night") |
| Saturday Night Live | 1980 | TV Series | Man in 'Fish Heads' |
Awards
Won Awards
| Year | Award | Ceremony | Nomination | Movie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Bronze Wrangler | Western Heritage Awards | Western Documentary | Hatfields & McCoys (2012) |
| 2006 | WIN Award | Women's Image Network Awards | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series | Big Love (2006) |
| 2003 | Filmmaker's Showcase Award | Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA | Bill Paxton is one of the most respected actors working today. Following a long string of ... More | |
| 2001 | Texas Filmmaker Award | Deep Ellum Film Festival | ||
| 1996 | Actor | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by a Cast | Apollo 13 (1995) |
| 1987 | Saturn Award | Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA | Best Supporting Actor | Aliens (1986) |
Nominated Awards
| Year | Award | Ceremony | Nomination | Movie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Golden Nymph | Monte-Carlo TV Festival | Outstanding Actor in a Mini-Series | Hatfields & McCoys (2012) |
| 2013 | Actor | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries | Hatfields & McCoys (2012) |
| 2012 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie | Hatfields & McCoys (2012) |
| 2012 | OFTA Television Award | Online Film & Television Association | Best Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries | Hatfields & McCoys (2012) |
| 2010 | Golden Globe | Golden Globes, USA | Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama | Big Love (2006) |
| 2009 | Satellite Award | Satellite Awards | Best Actor in a Series, Drama | Big Love (2006) |
| 2008 | Golden Globe | Golden Globes, USA | Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama | Big Love (2006) |
| 2007 | Golden Globe | Golden Globes, USA | Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama | Big Love (2006) |
| 2007 | Satellite Award | Satellite Awards | Best Actor in a Series, Drama | Big Love (2006) |
| 2006 | Satellite Award | Satellite Awards | Best Actor in a Series, Drama | Big Love (2006) |
| 2003 | Saturn Award | Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA | Best Director | Frailty (2001) |
| 2003 | CFCA Award | Chicago Film Critics Association Awards | Most Promising Director | Frailty (2001) |
| 2003 | DVDX Award | DVD Exclusive Awards | Best Audio Commentary (New for DVD) | Aliens (1986) |
| 2003 | OFTA Film Award | Online Film & Television Association | Best First Feature | Frailty (2001) |
| 2003 | OFCS Award | Online Film Critics Society Awards | Best Breakthrough Filmmaker | Frailty (2001) |
| 1999 | Golden Globe | Golden Globes, USA | Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television | A Bright Shining Lie (1998) |
| 1998 | Actor | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by a Cast | Titanic (1997) |
| 1997 | Saturn Award | Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA | Best Actor | Twister (1996) |
| 1995 | Saturn Award | Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA | Best Supporting Actor | True Lies (1994) |
| 1995 | CableACE | CableACE Awards | Actor in a Dramatic Series | Tales from the Crypt (1989) |
| 1988 | Saturn Award | Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA | Best Supporting Actor | Near Dark (1987) |
2nd Place Awards
| Year | Award | Ceremony | Nomination | Movie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | ACCA | Awards Circuit Community Awards | Best Cast Ensemble | Apollo 13 (1995) |
Source: IMDb, Wikipedia
