Billy Zane

William George Zane, Jr. (Greek: Βασίλειος Γεωργίου Ζανετάκος) (born February 24, 1966), better known as Billy Zane, is a Greek-American actor and director.

Biography

Early life

Zane was born in Chicago, Illinois to William George , Sr. and Thalia Zanetakos, who ran a medical technical school.Both of his parents are of Greek descent.^* He has an older sister, Lisa Zane, who is also an actress. After completing a year abroad at TASIS (The American School in Switzerland), Zane graduated from the Francis W. Parker School, where two of his classmates were Daryl Hannah and Jennifer Beals.

Career

Zane's first screen role was in Back to the Future (1985) playing Biff Tannen's friend Match. He landed the role as a fluke by appearing nonchalant, dressed in a T-shirt. Zane later reprised the role for the 1989 sequel, Back to the Future II. He gained prominence starring in the thriller Dead Calm opposite Nicole Kidman. Zane is best known for playing Caledon Hockley in the 1997 movie blockbuster Titanic, the eponymous classic comic book hero in the big budget action film The Phantom (based on Zane's favorite comic) and most recently, a cameo in the 2001 comedy Zoolander as himself. As of 2006, Zane has appeared in over 60 films.

Zane keeps busy in other parts of the entertainment industry as well. He is a singer and can occasionally be seen in various Broadway shows, like "Chicago", where he played lawyer Billy Flynn. He also played the voice of Ansem in Squaresoft and Disney's renowned video game Kingdom Hearts. Zane also had a recurring role in the popular television series Charmed in which he played poetry loving ex-demon Drake. He was voted as the favorite guest character by the show's fans.

Premature hair loss has not diminished Zane's acting career. Sometimes, while in character, he wears a wig, although he usually shaves his head while not in character and has been forefront in promoting this look.

In 1999, Zane participated in the first Gumball 3000 rally, driving a 1964 Aston Martin DB5. He was featured in the music video, Epiphany, by Staind.

Billy is currently up for the role of Marlon Brando in the upcoming biopic written by Johnny Bas. Zane has been described as a Brando look-a-like countless times before by press and fans.

Zane directed his debut film, Big Kiss, a light-hearted romantic comedy about two journalists involved in a diamond caper, which is awaiting distribution. Zane is reportedly interested in directing and producing more movies in the future.

Personal life

Zane married co-actress Lisa Collins in 1989. The couple divorced in 1995. He was also engaged for a time to Chilean actress Leonor Varela, his costar in the 1999 television movie Cleopatra. As of 2006, Zane is engaged to marry British actress Kelly Brook who he met on the set of "Survival Island".

He has also a rumored affair with Madonna in the late 1990s.

Trivia

Is close friends with Leonardo Dicaprio, Robert Downey Jr., and Marilyn Manson.

Zane was instrumental in getting the film The Believer made, which won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance in 2001.

For his role in Titanic, Zane won the Blockbuster award for Favorite Supporting Actor.

Zane starred in and produced I Woke Up Early The Day I Died, a silent film of Ed Wood's last script.

Zane has stated that one of the most physically challenging and fun roles he has played so far was The Phantom, and that it was his dream to play that character.

Zane executive-produced a CD made by bluesman Tim O'Connor. The album includes three songs from Dead Calm, where Zane had one of the lead roles.

Billy attended Parker School in Chicago. Billy attended Harand Camp of the Theater Arts, located in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, along with Jeremy Piven.

Zane pumped iron for over a year to play The Phantom. He also studied comic book stories with the Phantom in his attempt at copying the Phantom's body language.

Filmography

Valley of the Wolves Iraq (2006) .... Sam William Marshall
''Survival Island (also known as "Three")(2006) .... Jack
BloodRayne (2006) .... Elrich
Mem-o-re (2005) .... Taylor Briggs
The Pleasure Drivers (2005) .... Marvin
The Last Drop (2005) .... Oates
Silver City (2004) .... Chandler Tyson
Big Kiss (2004) .... Billy
Dead Fish (2004) .... Virgil
The Kiss (2003) .... Alan Roberts/young Philip Naudet
Vlad (2003) .... Adrian
Imaginary Grace (2003) .... Nero
Starving Hysterical Naked (2003)
Claim (2002) .... Roberto Bealing
Landspeed (2002) .... Michael Sanger
CQ (2001) .... Mr. E
The Believer (2001) .... Curtis Zampf
Zoolander (2001) ....Himself (uncredited)
Taxman (1999/II) .... George Putter
Morgan's Ferry (1999) .... Sam
Susan's Plan (1998) .... Sam Myers
I Woke Up Early the Day I Died (1998) .... The Thief
Titanic (1997) .... Caledon Hockley
This World, Then the Fireworks (1997) .... Marty Lakewood
Danger Zone (1997) .... Rick Morgan
Head Above Water (1996) .... Kent
The Phantom (1996) .... The Phantom/Kit Walker
Demon Knight (1995) .... The Collector
The Set Up (1995) .... Charles Thorpe
Only You (1994) .... Harry, The False Damon Bradley
Silenzio dei prosciutti, Il (1994) .... Joe Dee Foster
Reflections on a Crime (1994) .... Colin
Tombstone (1993) .... Mr. Fabian
Poetic Justice (1993) .... Brad
Posse (1993) .... Colonel Graham
Sniper (1993) .... Richard Miller
Betrayal of the Dove (1993) .... Dr. Jesse Peter
Flashfire (1993) .... Jack Flinder
Orlando (1992) .... Shelmerdine
Blood and Concrete (1991) .... Joey Turks
Femme Fatale (1991) .... Elijah
Miliardi (1991) .... Maurizio Ferretti
Memphis Belle (1990) .... Lt. Val Kozlowski
Megaville (1990) .... Palinov/Jensen

Back to the Future Part II (1989) .... Match
Dead Calm (1989) .... Hughie Warriner
Going Overboard (1989) .... King Neptune
Critters (1986) .... Steve Elliot
Back to the Future (1985) .... Match

Television

Charmed (2005) (TV) .... Drake
Bet Your Life (2004) (TV) .... Joseph
Invincible (2001/I) (TV) .... Os
The Diamond of Jeru (2001) (TV) .... Mike Kardec
Hendrix (2000) (TV) .... Michael Jeffrey
Sole Survivor (2000) (mini) TV Series .... Joe Carpenter
Cleopatra (1999) (TV) .... Marc Antony
Running Delilah (1994) (TV) .... Paul
Lake Consequence (1993) (TV) .... Billy
Twin Peaks (1991) (TV) .... John Justice Wheeler
The Case of the Hillside Stranglers (1989) (TV) .... Kenneth Bianchi
Police Story: Monster Manor (1988) (TV) .... Officer Don Varney
''21 Jump Street' (1987) (TV) .... Matthew Goldblatt
Conspiracy: The Trial of the Chicago 8 (1987) (TV) .... Police Officer
Brotherhood of Justice (1986) (TV) .... Les

Other

Chain of Memories (2004) (Video Game) .... Ansem (archive)
Kingdom Hearts (2002) (Video Game) .... Ansem
SSX Tricky (2001) (Video Game) .... Brodi

External link

Official Billy Zane website

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