Michelle Randolph, star of the Paramount+ series Landman, revealed she asked her on-screen father Billy Bob Thornton about the infamous Angelina Jolie blood story after growing more comfortable with him during filming. The 28-year-old actress shared on The Drew Barrymore Show that since most of her scenes involve Thornton, she felt compelled to bring up the rumor that Thornton drank Jolie’s blood.
“God, like what, all I know is that he drank Angelina Jolie’s blood or something,”
Randolph confessed.
“Which I since have asked him about. I can’t lie.”
The Origin of the Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton Blood Bond
Billy Bob Thornton and Angelina Jolie’s relationship, which began on the 1998 film Pushing Tin, became one of Hollywood’s most talked-about romances. At the time, Thornton was engaged to Laura Dern, while Jolie was dating Timothy Hutton. Jolie and Thornton famously sealed their bond with a dramatic act at their 2000 Las Vegas wedding, where Jolie wore a white T-shirt inscribed with “Billy Bob” written in blood and tattooed his name on her shoulder.
Thornton has described the symbolic gesture to Rolling Stone, saying,
“We each had a little locket, literally with a drop of blood in them. That’s a romantic little idea, and that’s all that was. But by the time it’s over, we’re vampires. We live in a dungeon, we drink each other’s blood, and this kind of stuff.”
Life After Angelina: Thornton Reflects on the Breakup and Friendship
The couple’s marriage ended three years later, but Thornton spoke about the separation as amicable and mature.
“That was one of the greatest times of my life. She and I are still very, very close friends,”
he explained.
“And that was the one that ended up being a really civilized breakup. We simply split up because our lifestyles were so different.”
Michelle Randolph Praises Billy Bob Thornton’s Acting and On-Set Demeanor
Randolph, who plays Ainsley, Tommy Norris’s cheerleader daughter, described Thornton as the embodiment of ease and sincerity in their work together. She told Drew Barrymore that despite his impressive career, Thornton makes those around him feel comfortable and encourages honesty in performances.
“That’s why he’s so good at what he does,”
Randolph said.
“You think someone with his résumé is going to be so intimidating, but instead, he’s such a great actor because he pulls honesty out of you, and he settles you in a scene and in life. I tend to talk a lot and move fast, and he just makes me want to just chill.”
Strong Bonds Formed Among Cast During Filming of Landman
Randolph also highlighted the close connection she developed with her on-screen mother Ali Larter. The two leaned on one another during the first season as they adjusted to the dramatic nature of Landman.
“We didn’t know what we had gotten ourselves. I mean, we were so excited to be there, but going, how do our characters fit into this very dramatic show?”
Randolph said.
“And so we just really relied on each other and we just grabbed each other’s hands and we were like, ‘Okay, I think it’s jumping in together.’”
Upcoming Recognition and Future of Landman Series
Randolph and 12 of her Landman castmates are nominated for the Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series at the 32nd Actor Awards, which will air on Netflix on March 1. The show, created by Taylor Sheridan and Christian Wallace, adapts Wallace’s 2019 Boomtown podcast and features a notable cast including Demi Moore, Sam Elliott, and Andy Garcia.
Paramount+ renewed the Texan oil drama for a third season on December 5, after the second season premiere attracted 9.2 million viewers within two days. Production for the next season is scheduled to begin this April or May.
