Billy Zane
|
|
William George Zane, Jr. (born February 24, 1966 in Chicago, Illinois), better known as Billy Zane, is an American actor/model.
He was born as William Zanetakos, of Greek-American heritage. His parents, George and Thalia, were also actors. Zane is the younger brother of actress Lisa Zane. He is a graduate of the Francis W. Parker School.
His first prominent 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. He is perhaps best known for playing Caledon Hockley in the 1997 movie blockbuster Titanic.
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. For an example, see Zane's appearance in Zoolander.
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.
In 1999 he participated in the first Gumball 3000 rally, driving a 1964 Aston Martin DB5.
Zane is also a singer and can occasionally be seen in various Broadway shows.
Billy Zane 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.