Bill Paxton.

Bill Paxton — Actor

Born 17 May 1955 Fort Worth, United States

Died 25 Feb 2017 Beverly Grove, United States

Citizenship United States

Would Be 71 yr If Living

16 min read

Reading time

3,076

Words

Jul 14, 2026

Published

110

Film credits

1

Award

TL;DR

Bill Paxton made his film debut in Roger Corman’s Crazy Mama 1975 and later starred in James Cameron films such as Aliens 1986 and Titanic 1997. He earned a Screen Actors Guild Award for his role in Apollo 13 1995. Paxton died in 2017 at age 61 following heart surgery.

Identity & family.

KIN · 4

Names, aliases, and relatives of Bill Paxton — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Nicknames Wild Bill, Knuckles

Aliases Bill, Pete Lautrec, Wild Bill Paxton, William Paxton

Parents: John Lane Paxton
Spouses: Louise Newbury Kelly Lynn Rowan
Children: James Paxton

At a glance.

STATS

Bill Paxton by the numbers — life, work, and family.

61 Years lived

110 Film credits

1 Award

2 Marriages

1 Child

Who was Bill Paxton?

BIOGRAPHY

Bill Paxton — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

At age eighteen, Bill Paxton moved to Los Angeles and began working as a set dresser for Roger Corman’s New World Pictures after his family relocated from Texas.

Paxton was born on May 17, 1955 in Fort Worth, Texas, the son of Mary Lou and John Lane Paxton. He attended Arlington Heights High School, where he caddied for golf legend Ben Hogan. He also studied acting under Stella Adler at New York University after briefly attending Richmond, The American International University in London.

Career

Paxton made his film debut in the Corman-produced Crazy Mama 1975, directed by Jonathan Demme. He landed a small role in Stripes 1981 and then appeared in James Cameron’s The Terminator 1984 as a punk. His breakout performance came as Private Hudson in Aliens 1986. He also played Chet in Weird Science 1985 and a vampire in Near Dark 1987.

His lead role in One False Move 1991 brought critical acclaim, followed by supporting roles in Tombstone 1993 as Morgan Earp and Apollo 13 1995 as Fred Haise. He starred in Twister 1996 and played Brock Lovett in Titanic 1997. He later starred in the HBO series Big Love 2006-2011 and played John Garrett in Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. 2013-2014.

Personal life

Paxton married Kelly Lynn Rowan in 1979, divorced in 1980. He married Louise Newbury in 1987, whom he met on a London bus. They had two children: James born 1994 and Lydia born 1997.

He had rheumatic fever in seventh grade, requiring hospitalization and penicillin into adulthood.

Legacy

Paxton was the only actor to be killed by a Terminator, an Alien, a Predator, the Grim Reaper, and a serial killer. He was inducted into the Texas Film Hall of Fame in 2007. After his death, storm chasers formed his initials using GPS coordinates as a tribute to his role in Twister.

He appeared in three films selected for the National Film Registry: The Terminator, Apollo 13, and Titanic. His most iconic moments include the line Game over, man! from Aliens and his role as the storm-chasing scientist in Twister.

Filmography.

FILMS · 110

The complete filmography of Bill Paxton — every film, TV show, and documentary credit, ranked by popularity.

TV

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

1962
TV

Frasier

1993
TV

Saturday Night Live

1975
TV

Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

2013
TV

Miami Vice

1984
TV

Golden Globe Awards

1944
Movie

Titanic

1997
Movie

The Terminator

1984
TV

American Experience

1988
TV

Tales from the Crypt

1989
Movie

Aliens

1986
TV

Big Love

2006
TV

The Reichen Show

2005
TV

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno

1992

Showing 14 of 110 View all 110 films

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 1

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Bill Paxton — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 8

A wall of memorable lines from Bill Paxton — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.

It’s Very Liberating to Be Naked in Front of a Hundred People, but There’s Nothing Sexual About Lovemaking on a Movie Set…
. . . 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.
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.
I’ve Always Loved Movies About Con Men. I Think Con Men Are as American as Apple Pie.
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.
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.
My Biggest Disappointment Is Not Getting to Do the Romantic Roles I Always Dreamed Of. but I’ve Had a Pretty Good Career. and You Know What? We’e Grist for the Mill Out Here, and If I Quit Doing This, There’s 10 Guys Ready to Take My Place.
I Don’t Believe in Heroes and Villains Ultimately. I Believe People Are Capable of Great Villainy and Great Heroism – the Same Person.

Did you know?

FACTS · 50

Little-known facts about Bill Paxton — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

Following his death, storm chasers nationwide used GPS coordinates to form his initials B.P. as a tribute to his Twister character.
Pictures at the Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas show an eight-year-old Paxton on the shoulders of an onlooker during President Kennedy’s final appearance in Fort Worth on November 22, 1963.
In seventh grade, Paxton contracted rheumatic fever, leading to a month of hospitalization and four months bedridden, requiring penicillin until age 18.
Paxton was the only actor killed on screen by a Terminator, an Alien, a Predator, the Grim Reaper, and a serial killer.
His wild sense of humor and love for pranks earned him the nickname Wild Bill among friends and co-stars.
To prepare for Pat Benatar’s music video Shadows of the Night 1982, Paxton learned to speak German.
Paxton often shared pictures of himself as an eight-year-old sitting on someone’s shoulders to see President Kennedy during his final speech on November 22, 1963.
Paxton nearly landed the lead in Darkman 1990 but after telling friend Liam Neeson about the audition, Neeson got the part, and Paxton did not speak to him for months.
First choice for Robert Langdon in The Da Vinci Code 2006, Paxton turned down the role due to his commitment to Big Love; Tom Hanks took the part and later executive produced Big Love.
As a teenager in Fort Worth, Paxton caddied for golf legend Ben Hogan.
Paxton attended Arlington Heights High School, alma mater of John Denver and Lee Harvey Oswald who left before graduating.
For Tombstone 1993, Paxton received weapons training from Hollywood gun coach Thell Reed, who also trained Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, and others.
Alongside Lance Henriksen, Paxton was the only actor to appear in the Alien, Predator, and Terminator series.
Paxton was a member of the 1980s New Wave band Martini Ranch; James Cameron directed a video for their song Reach featuring Cameron regulars.
Before his death, Paxton completed all thirteen episodes of the TV series Training Day 2017.
Paxton appeared in five films with Michael Biehn: The Lords of Discipline, The Terminator, Aliens, Navy Seals, and Tombstone.
He met his second wife, Louise Newbury, on a number 13 bus in London.
While working on Texas Rising 2015, Paxton discovered he was a second cousin, four times removed, of Sam Houston, sharing common grandparents six generations back.
After a slow period, Paxton requested inclusion in the 2 Guns 2013 promotional tour with Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg, leading to roles in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Edge of Tomorrow.
Paxton spoke the second line of dialogue in The Terminator 1984 as the blue-spike-haired punk, one of the first humans to confront the Terminator.
Considered for Dr. Ian Malcolm in Jurassic Park 1993, the role went to Jeff Goldblum.
After Weird Science, John Hughes offered Paxton a garage attendant role in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, but he declined as too small, a decision he later regretted as Hughes never offered him another part.
With wife Louise Newbury, Paxton had two children: James born 1994 and Lydia born 1997.
On March 9, 2007, Paxton was inducted into the Texas Film Hall of Fame at Austin Studios for career achievement.
Paxton died from a stroke after surgery on February 14, 2017 for an aortic aneurysm and bicuspid aortic valve replacement, three months before his 62nd birthday.
For a film prop, Paxton wanted a unique axe name and met a homeless man named Otis in Pasadena who refused charity but agreed to sell the use of his name, leading to OTIS carved on the handle.
Commando 1985 was the only film Paxton made with Arnold Schwarzenegger not directed by James Cameron.
Paxton was a great-great-grandson of Confederate General Elisha F. Paxton.
He was offered the role played by Steve Guttenberg in Cocoon 1985.
Originally cast as Stifler’s father in American Pie 2, Paxton had to withdraw due to scheduling; Chris Penn replaced him but the character was cut.
Considered for Lance in Pulp Fiction 1994, the role went to Eric Stoltz.
Paxton and Glenne Headly played Emma Watson’s parents in The Circle 2017, which was his final film; he died two months before its release, and Headly died four months later.
Paxton declined the role of Sgt. Proctor in Police Academy 2 due to a multi-film contract, choosing Aliens instead; Lance Kinsey took the part.
After his death, Paxton was interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills.
He once worked as a parking lot attendant.
Paxton’s ancestry included English, Scots-Irish, Scottish, Austrian, German, French, Swiss, Dutch, and distant Welsh and Norwegian roots.
Considered for Alan Parrish in Jumanji 1995, the role went to Robin Williams.
Paxton played a sheriff in Limp Bizkit’s music video Eat You Alive 2003.
Paxton co-wrote and produced the short film Scoop 1982, which earned an Honorable Mention at the 1983 USA Film Festival.
His paternal grandfather was a friend and neighbor of painter Thomas Hart Benton.
Originally chosen for Hardware 1990, the studio didn’t contact his agent due to unfamiliarity, and he opted for Navy Seals; Dylan McDermott played the role.
Considered for Jake Brigance in A Time to Kill 1996, the role went to Matthew McConaughey.
He studied at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting.
Three of Paxton’s films are in the National Film Registry: The Terminator, Apollo 13, and Titanic.
Considered for the lead in Godzilla 1998, the role went to Matthew Broderick.
Briefly set to star in U Turn 1997 after Sean Penn declined, Paxton dropped out a week before filming, and Penn returned.
A fan of MAD Magazine, Paxton was thrilled when Aliens was parodied but dismayed to see his character replaced by a chicken head.
Considered for Lt. Gabriel Cash in Tango & Cash 1989, the role went to Kurt Russell.
Considered for John Nada in They Live 1988, the role went to Roddy Piper.
Paxton was the son of John Paxton, a businessman and occasional actor.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 40

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Bill Paxton.

When was Bill Paxton born?

Bill Paxton was born on May 17, 1955 in Fort Worth, Texas. He was the son of Mary Lou and John Lane Paxton. Paxton’s birth date is often noted because he died just three months before his 62nd birthday.
Where was Bill Paxton born?

Bill Paxton was born in Fort Worth, Texas, USA on May 17, 1955. He spent his childhood there and later attended Arlington Heights High School. His Texas roots influenced his roles in films like Apollo 13 and Twister.
When did Bill Paxton die?

Bill Paxton died on February 25, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. He was 61 years old. His death was caused by a stroke following heart surgery he had on February 14, 2017.
How old was Bill Paxton when he died?

Bill Paxton was 61 years old when he died on February 25, 2017. He was born on May 17, 1955. He passed away just three months before his 62nd birthday.
Where did Bill Paxton die?

Bill Paxton died in Beverly Grove, Los Angeles, California, USA. He passed away on February 25, 2017. His remains were interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills.
How did Bill Paxton die?

Bill Paxton died from a stroke following an aortic aneurysm repair and bicuspid aortic valve replacement surgery. He underwent the surgery on February 14, 2017 and passed away on February 25, 2017. His death was unexpected and shocked fans worldwide.
What does Bill Paxton do for a living?

Bill Paxton was an actor, producer, and writer. He began his career as a set dresser for Roger Corman and later became a prolific film actor. He also directed short films and was a member of the band Martini Ranch.
What nationality is Bill Paxton?

Bill Paxton was an American citizen. He was born in Fort Worth, Texas, and worked primarily in the United States film industry. He also studied in London for a time.
What language does Bill Paxton speak?

Bill Paxton’s native language was English. He also learned German for a role in Pat Benatar’s music video Shadows of the Night.
Who are Bill Paxton's parents?

Bill Paxton’s parents were Mary Lou Gray and John Lane Paxton. His father was a businessman and actor who performed under the name John Paxton. His paternal grandfather was a friend of painter Thomas Hart Benton.
Who is Bill Paxton married to?

Bill Paxton was married twice. He married Kelly Lynn Rowan in 1979 and divorced in 1980. He then married Louise Newbury in 1987, whom he met on a London bus, and they remained married until his death in 2017.
Does Bill Paxton have children?

Yes, Bill Paxton had two children with his wife Louise Newbury: son James Paxton, born in 1994, and daughter Lydia, born in 1997. James Paxton has also become an actor.
Where did Bill Paxton go to school?

Bill Paxton attended Arlington Heights High School in Fort Worth, Texas. He studied at Richmond, The American International University in London. He later studied acting under Stella Adler at New York University.
What awards has Bill Paxton won?

Bill Paxton won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for his role in Apollo 13 1995. He was also inducted into the Texas Film Hall of Fame in 2007.
How many major awards did Bill Paxton win?

Bill Paxton won at least one major award, the Screen Actors Guild Award. He also received multiple nominations and was honored by the Texas Film Hall of Fame.
What is Bill Paxton best known for?

Bill Paxton is best known for his roles in films such as Aliens 1986, Apollo 13 1995, Titanic 1997, and Twister 1996. He also starred in the TV series Big Love and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. His catchphrase Game over, man! from Aliens is iconic.
How tall was Bill Paxton?

Bill Paxton was 6 feet 0 inches 1.83 meters tall. His height was typical for leading men in Hollywood, though he often played everyman roles.
What were Bill Paxton's nicknames and why did he have them?

Bill Paxton was nicknamed Wild Bill due to his crazy sense of humor and love for pranks. He also was called Knuckles by some friends. His energetic personality earned these monikers among co-stars.
Did Bill Paxton use any stage names or aliases?

Bill Paxton sometimes used the alias Pete Lautrec, likely as a pseudonym. His birth name is William Paxton, but he was known as Bill. Wild Bill Paxton was a common nickname used in credits.
What is Bill Paxton's date of death?

Bill Paxton died on February 25, 2017, in Los Angeles, California. He was 61 years old. His death was caused by complications from heart surgery.
What caused Bill Paxton's death?

Bill Paxton died from a stroke following an aortic aneurysm repair and valve replacement surgery. The surgery occurred on February 14, 2017, and he died 11 days later. He had a history of rheumatic fever which may have contributed.
At what age did Bill Paxton pass away?

Bill Paxton was 61 years old when he died on February 25, 2017. He was born on May 17, 1955, and would have turned 62 later that year.
In which city did Bill Paxton die?

Bill Paxton died in Beverly Grove, Los Angeles, California. He had been hospitalized there after heart surgery. His body was interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills.
What is Bill Paxton's birth date?

Bill Paxton was born on May 17, 1955, in Fort Worth, Texas. He celebrated his 61st birthday just months before his death.
What location was Bill Paxton born in?

Bill Paxton was born in Fort Worth, Texas, USA. He grew up there and attended Arlington Heights High School. He later moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting.
What was Bill Paxton's full birth name?

Bill Paxton’s full birth name was William Paxton. He used the nickname Bill professionally. He also used the alias Pete Lautrec on occasion.
Which movies is Bill Paxton most famous for?

Bill Paxton is most famous for his roles in Aliens 1986, Apollo 13 1995, Twister 1996, and Frailty 2001. He also appeared in Titanic 1997 and the TV series Big Love.
How many times was Bill Paxton married?

Bill Paxton was married twice. His first marriage to Kelly Lynn Rowan lasted from 1979 to 1980. He then married Louise Newbury in 1987 and remained with her until his death.
How many children did Bill Paxton have?

Bill Paxton had two children with his wife Louise Newbury: a son James born 1994 and a daughter Lydia born 1997. James followed his father into acting.
What are the names of Bill Paxton's parents?

Bill Paxton’s parents were Mary Lou Gray and John Lane Paxton. His father was a businessman and actor. His mother was a homemaker.
Which James Cameron films did Bill Paxton appear in?

Bill Paxton appeared in several James Cameron films: The Terminator 1984, Aliens 1986, True Lies 1994, and Titanic 1997. He also worked with Cameron on the music video for his band Martini Ranch.
What role did Bill Paxton play in Aliens?

In Aliens 1986, Bill Paxton played Private Hudson, a brash Colonial Marine. His iconic line Game over, man! became a pop culture staple.
Did Bill Paxton play in the band Martini Ranch?

Yes, Bill Paxton was a member of the experimental New Wave band Martini Ranch. James Cameron directed a music video for their song Reach featuring many Cameron alumni.
What was Bill Paxton's role in Titanic?

In Titanic 1997, Bill Paxton played Brock Lovett, a treasure hunter searching for the Heart of the Ocean necklace. He was the modern-day character who frames the story.
What TV series did Bill Paxton star in?

Bill Paxton starred in the HBO series Big Love from 2006 to 2011, playing Bill Henrickson, a polygamist. He also played John Garrett in Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Did Bill Paxton direct any films?

Yes, Bill Paxton directed, wrote, and produced award-winning short films, including Barnes & Barnes: Fish Heads 1980, which aired on Saturday Night Live. He also directed the feature film Frailty 2001 in which he also starred.
What is the significance of the name 'Otis' on the axe in Frailty?

In Frailty 2001, the axe used by Paxton’s character has OTIS carved into the handle. Paxton came up with the name after meeting a homeless man named Otis in Pasadena, who sold him the use of the name.
Which actors did Bill Paxton work with multiple times?

Bill Paxton worked multiple times with Michael Biehn five films, James Cameron, and Lance Henriksen. He also appeared in several films with Arnold Schwarzenegger.
What was Bill Paxton's first film role?

Bill Paxton’s first film role was in Crazy Mama 1975, a Roger Corman production directed by Jonathan Demme. He worked as a set dresser on the film before being cast.
How did Bill Paxton meet his second wife?

Bill Paxton met his second wife, Louise Newbury, on a number 13 bus in London. They married in 1987 and had two children together.

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Audited & updated by

Sophia has 4 years of editorial experience and a habit of becoming the person any team leans on when they need to know where something stands. At Famousy, she manages the content pipeline, coordinates reviews, and handles the detail work that keeps a large editorial operation from falling apart. She reads a lot of profiles in the process and she's developed a sharp instinct for when something doesn't feel right. She flags it. It usually is.

Published on July 14, 2026

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