Billy Zane Swapped Hollywood Fame For Life As A Painter & Dad Of 2

May 17, 2023 by apost team

Billy Zane has captured the hearts of audiences with his charismatic performances as an actor and his creative expressions as an artist. With a career spanning over three decades, Billy has proven himself as a versatile and accomplished artist, leaving an indelible mark on both the silver screen and the art world. From his breakthrough role in “Titanic” to his thought-provoking artistic creations, Billy continues to captivate and inspire audiences around the globe.

Born on Feb. 24, 1966, in Chicago, Illinois, Billy developed an early passion for the arts. Growing up in a creative household with two actor parents, Billy was exposed to the world of theater, film and fine arts from a young age. 

Billy's acting career took flight in the 1980s when he landed his breakthrough role in the critically acclaimed film “Dead Calm” in 1989 alongside Nicole Kidman and Sam Neill. His portrayal of a disturbed and menacing character showcased his range and established him as a talented actor to watch.

Billy's career continued to flourish throughout the 1990s, with roles in films such as “The Phantom” in 1996, where he brought the comic book hero to life with his charismatic presence and suave demeanor. However, it was his role as the charming yet ill-fated Caledon Hockley in James Cameron’s epic romance “Titanic” in 1997 that catapulted him into international stardom. His portrayal of the arrogant and conflicted fiancé of Rose DeWitt Bukater, played by Kate Winslet, solidified his place in cinematic history.

Beyond his blockbuster successes, Billy showcased his versatility by delving into various genres and mediums. He displayed his comedic prowess in films like “Zoolander” and his dramatic depth in projects like “The Believer.” 

While many know Billy from his acting career, many are unaware that the multitalented personality also has a flair for fine art.

In addition to his acting career, Billy is a passionate and accomplished artist. Billy's love for the visual arts began to take shape during the filming of “Titanic” in Mexico. He told Vulture:

“There would be days when I wasn’t shooting, so I turned my garage into a studio and started painting. It was Abstract Expressionism. I did it just for the pleasure of doing it, and I would have cast members over for painting parties. Then I started hanging some of the pieces in my place, and only years after did a gallerist see them and put them in a show, which I didn’t expect.” 

Billy’s artistic works have gone on to be displayed at prestigious galleries, including at Art Basel, and he attributes much of his success to the approach he utilized while filming “Titanic.”

“I owe a lot of this to ‘Titanic.’ I still use the technique I applied then, which is improvisational and uses pieces that would otherwise have been discarded, like recycled paint and objects I found around Mexico. There was something about the location that unlocked it for me,” Billy said. 

Billy described his painting style as “improvisational,” and said, “I often paint on set and then feverishly try and scrape buckets of paint off my fingers before filming.”

While Billy hasn’t had a film role quite as memorable as the antagonist in “Titanic” since the film’s release, he understood the public’s enduring devotion to the blockbuster.

“It’s part of our fabric. (Fans) still chastise me for breaking Rose and Jack up — or missing Jack with a bullet,” he told Splash. 

Another reason for his seeming withdrawal from Hollywood could also be attributed to taking up his biggest role in life – becoming a father.

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Billy had been married once to Australian actress Lisa Collins from 1989 to 1995, after which he was linked to a few high-profile personalities, including Chilean actress Leonor Varela and British model Kelly Brook. However, in 2010, he met model Candice Neil and everything fell into place. According to Contact Music, Billy told Hello! magazine:

“We had our first date on the roof-top pool of one of the finer hotels in LA. We ended up talking for about 10 hours. We didn’t want to say goodbye.”

And they still haven’t! Instead, Neil gave birth to their daughters Ava Zane, in 2011, and Gia Zane in 2014. Billy told PEOPLE fatherhood has been an “exceptional” experience that he surprisingly felt “somehow very prepared for.” However, perhaps not all aspects of it.

“Sleep deprivation has been challenging,” he remarked.

Although he and Neil have been together for more than a decade, Billy said they’re in no rush to run down the aisle.

“I refer to her as my wife, she calls me her husband. But there’ll be a ceremony as soon as the schedule lightens up for both of us,” he said.  

He continued to gush about Neil and said, “Balance comes from pulling your weight when the bar is set high by your partner. When (she) makes it seem effortless, it’s a revelation. … (It’s) magic.”

It’s clear Billy is completely besotted with his partner and called her “such a lovely girl, probably the most genuine and nicest person I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. As well as being stunning, she is one of the kindest souls and a great mother.” He added:

“She is the first American girlfriend I’ve ever had; I searched the world over and finally found her right here in my backyard.”

What do you think of Billy Zane’s love story? Are you a fan of his performances in “Titanic” or any other films? Let us know and be sure to pass this along to friends and family, too.