At the Critics Choice Awards on January 4 in Santa Monica, California, Michelle Randolph opened up about a question she had before working alongside Billy Bob Thornton on the TV series Landman. Randolph, 28, admitted the long-circulated Billy Bob Thornton blood rumor was on her mind during filming preparations for the acclaimed Taylor Sheridan drama.
Randolph shared her curiosity about the infamous story during an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show.
“Most of my scenes are with him, and I’m thinking, ‘God, like what, all I know is that he drank Angelina Jolie’s blood or something,’”
she said.
“Which I since have asked him about.”
Billy Bob Thornton’s Calm Response Eases Randolph’s Concerns
Despite Randolph’s unexpected question, Thornton remained composed and approachable. She described him as the embodiment of calmness.
“He just, I mean, he’s just ease,”
Randolph said.
“If ease was a person, that’s who he is.”
Randolph elaborated on Thornton’s talent, noting that his relaxed nature enhances his acting ability.
“That’s why he’s so good at what he does,”
she explained.
“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.”
She added that her own fast-talking and high-energy tendencies were calmed by Thornton’s presence.
“I tend to talk a lot and move fast, and he just makes me want to just chill,”
Randolph admitted.
Billy Bob Thornton Addresses the Infamous Blood Drinking Story
Billy Bob Thornton recently discussed the rumor that made headlines during his marriage to Angelina Jolie. In an interview with Rolling Stone, he clarified the nature of the story.
“We each had a little locket, literally with a drop of blood in them,”
Thornton said.
“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.”
Thornton and Jolie’s relationship began during the filming of Pushing Tin in 1999, despite both dating others at the time—Thornton engaged to Laura Dern and Jolie reportedly dating Timothy Hutton. Their intense connection led to marriage in Las Vegas by 2000.
Reflecting on His Relationship and Divorce with Angelina Jolie
The Sling Blade star described his breakup with Jolie as amicable and respectful.
“That was one of the greatest times of my life,”
he told Rolling Stone.
“She and I are still very, very close friends. And that was the one that ended up being a really civilized breakup. We simply split up because our lifestyles were so different.”
The Role of Billy Bob Thornton and Michelle Randolph in Landman
Both actors star in the Taylor Sheridan series Landman, which is based on the podcast Boomtown. The show explores the Permian Basin oil boom in West Texas during the early 2010s, driven by new technology in oil drilling. Thornton plays Tommy Norris, a landman who works as a crisis manager for the oil company M-Tex.
Michelle Randolph plays Ainsley Norris, the character closely connected to Thornton’s Tommy Norris. The series also features performances by Demi Moore, Jon Hamm, Ali Larter, and Jacob Lofland.
Why This Matters: The Impact of Rumors on On-Set Dynamics
Michelle Randolph’s willingness to confront the Billy Bob Thornton blood rumor highlights how celebrity myths can linger even on professional sets. Her openness about the topic, paired with Thornton’s calm response, reveals an environment built on trust and mutual respect, essential for delivering honest performances. As Landman continues to attract attention, this behind-the-scenes interaction underscores the challenges and reliefs actors may face when confronted with persistent pop culture stories.
