Billy Bob Thornton reflected on finding massive success later in life after struggling during his early years in Hollywood.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, the 69-year-old actor, who stars in Taylor Sheridan’s new series “Landman,” explained that he thought becoming famous while he was further along in his career would help him. was ultimately beneficial and contributed to its longevity. in his profession.

“I’m happy that I became famous or successful – whatever you want to call it – in my 30s,” Thornton said.

Billy Bob Thornton has explained why he is “glad” to have found success later in life. (Getty)

“I think if it had happened when I was 18 or 21, who knows if I would be here now because I was a little looser back then,” he continued with a smile.

BILLY BOB THORNTON SAYS THERE IS AN “ANTI-SOUTH PREJUDICE” IN HOLLYWOOD

“And yeah, I’m kind of happy about that because I grew up in the music business, so I already knew the entertainment business, but not to that extent. And I think growing up as a musician gave me helped prepare me for some because we could be local heroes, sometimes as musicians or regional. But it was a big blast.

“And I think if I had been nominated for an Oscar at 21, who knows what I would have done with it?”

WATCH: ‘Landman’ Star Billy Bob Thornton Admits He’s Glad He Wasn’t Successful Earlier in Life

Born in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Thornton moved with his family several times within the state before settling in the town of Malvern. In an interview with the Houston Chronicle in August, Thorton recalled working alongside brothers Nick and Mike Shipp in their father’s equipment rental business. While in Arkansas, Thornton, Nick and Mike formed a rock trio called Nothin’ Doin’ and moved to Houston, Texas in the 1970s when the company relocated.

After moving to Houston, Nothin’ Doin’ played a show at Cardi’s club, where a promoter heard them and noted that the trio had a similar sound to the band. rock band ZZ Top. At the promoter’s suggestion, Nothin’ Doin’ became ZZ’s cover band Top Tres Hombres, named after the legendary group’s hit album from 1973.

“I think if I had been nominated for an Oscar at 21, who knows what I would have done with it?”

—Billy Bob Thornton

Tres Hombres featured Mike on guitar and vocals, Nick on bass and vocals, with Thornton as drummer. They found success playing local Houston clubs.

“We played their songs very well in the Houston area,” Thornton told the Houston Chronicle. “We were playing at parties and places that I guess don’t exist anymore.”

During their time together, Tres Hombres released one album, 1983’s “Gunslinger,” which contained nine original songs.

Thornton starred opposite John Ritter in the CBS television series “Hearts Afire.” (CBS via Getty Images)

Around 1985, Thornton moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. In the early years, he struggled to land positions and supported himself by working as a telemarketer, offshore wind power producer and fast-food manager between auditions.

Thorton joined the West Coast Theater Ensemble and made his acting debut in the one-man play “Beethoven Symphonies.” He played small roles in a handful of films and TV shows and became a cast member on the CBS sitcom “Hearts Afire,” which ran from 1992 to 1995.

During an appearance on “Charlie Rose,” Thornton recalled working as a waiter at a Hollywood party when he met legendary director Billy Wilder. The two struck up a conversation during which Wilder guessed that Thornton wanted to become an actor.

Wilder told Thornton he was “too ugly to be a movie star” and suggested he become a screenwriter to create his own acting opportunities.

“’It’s your ticket,’” Thornton remembers Wilder telling him. “‘That’s the only way to do it. So write your own stuff, play your own stuff, make your own way. You know, no one’s going to wait for you.'”

Billy Bob Thornton and his “One False Move” co-star Bill Paxton are pictured with Heath Ledger in 1993. (Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc)

Thornton later co-wrote the 1991 independent film “One False Move” with frequent collaborator Tom Epperson and also starred in the film as murderous thug Ray Malcolm. The low-budget crime thriller received critical acclaim and revived the then 36-year-old’s career in the entertainment industry.

The actor took on small roles in the mid-1990s films “Indecent Proposal,” “Bound by Honor,” “Tombstone,” “On Deadly Ground,” “The Stars Fell on Henrietta” and “Dead Man” before to make his breakthrough with his own independent project.

At the age of 41, Thornton directed, wrote and starred in the 1996 independent film “Sling Blade.” The crime thriller follows Karl Childers (Thornton), a mentally disabled man released from the mental hospital where he spent most of his life after murdering his mother and her lover. Childers sets out to start a new life in a small town and befriends a young boy and his mother.

Thornton rose to fame after “Sling Blade” became a surprise box office hit and received rave reviews from critics. The Arkansas native won the Oscar for Best Screenplay and earned an Academy Award nomination for his performance. He was later nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the 1998 neo-noir crime thriller “A Simple Plan.”

Thornton rose to fame thanks to the success of his film “Sling Blade”. (Deanne Fitzmaurice/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

The “Bad Santa” actor has also received numerous accolades for his work in television. He won a Golden Globe Award for his starring role in the first season of the FX anthology series “Fargo” and was also nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie. Thornton won his second Golden Globe for his performance in Amazon’s legal drama series “Goliath,” which he starred in for four seasons from 2016 to 2021.

In addition to acting, Thornton also pursued his musical career. In 2001, the country singer released his first solo album “Private Radio”, which he followed with “The Edge of the World” in 2003, “Hobo” in 2005 and “Beautiful Door” in 2007. Thornton is also the frontman of the rock band The Boxmasters, which he formed in 2007 with sound engineer JD Andrew. The Boxmasters have released 17 albums and released their latest record “Love & Hate In Desperate Places” in June.

Thornton is now returning to the small screen with Sheridan’s new series “Landman.” The show marks the on-screen reunion of Thornton and his “Indecent Proposal” co-star Demi Moore and also stars Ali Larter and Jon Hammwith appearances by Michael Peña and Andy Garcia.

The actor is the frontman of the rock band The Boxmasters. (Matt Carr/Getty Images)

The plot synopsis reads: “Set in the proverbial boom towns of West Texas, ‘Landman’ is a modern story of seeking fortune in the world of oil rigs.”

Based on the remarkable 11-part podcast “Boomtown,” the series is an “above-and-below story of thugs and wildcat billionaires who are fueling a boom so big that it is reshaping our climate, our economy and our geopolitics.

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“Boomtown” host Christian Wallace teamed up with Sheridan to create the 10-episode Paramount+ show, which premiered on November 17.

WATCH: BILLY BOB THORNTON SHARES HOW HE CAME TO STAR IN TAYLOR SHERIDAN’S NEW SHOW ‘LANDMAN’

Thornton, who leads the cast of “Landman,” plays Tommy Norris, a crisis manager at an oil company. During his interview with Fox News Digital, Thornton recalled that Sheridan approached him about the series after the actor made an appearance on “Yellowstone.” prequel series “1883”.

“I did a cameo in ‘1883’ for Taylor and at the post-meeting I sat next to him and he said, ‘Listen, I’m glad I got to be with you and everything that’s because I have this project and I wanted to do this with you. He said: “I’m writing something called “Landman”. He told me about the world it was set in that I was familiar with, but I thought, “Well, that’s interesting. I really haven’t seen anything about that since the movie ‘Giant.’

Thornton noted that he loved “Giant,” the 1956 epic Western drama starring Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson and Dean Martin.

“And I thought this could be the streaming version of ‘Giant,’ but even more dangerous and crazy,” Thornton said. “So it was a no-brainer. Plus, Taylor basically said, ‘Look, I know your voice. I’m going to write this for you. He said, ‘This part will be you if you were an earthling.'”

WATCH: BILLY BOB THORNTON TO FIND OUT IF HE FEELING PRESSURE TO MAKE NEW SHOW ‘LANDMAN’ A HIT

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Sheridan had huge success with the epic Western drama “Yellowstone” and its blockbuster spinoffs “1883” and “1923.” He is also the creator of the hit detective series “Tulsa King,” starring Sylvester Stallone, and “Mayor of Kingstown,” headlined by Jeremiah Renner.

While speaking with Fox News Digital, Thornton shared his thoughts on whether he felt pressure to make “Landman” a success after Sheridan’s previous successes.

“Landman” premiered November 17 on Paramount+. (Paramount+)

“Of course,” Thornton said. “Whenever someone has had success – let’s say a director has made 12 giant films that everyone loves — you don’t want to be the guy who bombs it,” Thornton said with a laugh.

He continued, “So, yeah, there’s a lot of pressure because of the success he’s had with the other shows. But, you know, there’s always an audience for any kind of thing.”

“And I know Taylor loves this one, that’s for sure, and we all love it,” Thornton added. “Everyone who’s been a part of this loves it.”

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