Billy Bob Thornton has opened up about his enduring friendship with his former spouse, Angelina Jolie, emphasizing the strong connection that remains years after their divorce. The Billy Bob Thornton Angelina Jolie relationship, once a focus of intense media scrutiny, continues to be one of mutual respect and lasting affection.
Reflecting on a Famous Relationship and Lasting Friendship
The actor, currently starring in Landman, spoke candidly about his marriage to Angelina Jolie, which lasted from 2000 to 2003. Despite their split over two decades ago, Thornton revealed in a recent Rolling Stone interview that their bond remains firm.
“Angelina and I had a great time together,”
said Billy Bob Thornton, Actor.
“That was one of the greatest times of my life. She and I are still very, very close friends.”
Thornton explained that their breakup was both “civilized” and free from bitterness, resulting mainly from their divergent lifestyles.
Thornton, who has been married six times, described their separation as unusually amicable in Hollywood circles. While reflecting on that period, he acknowledged the media frenzy that surrounded their union, which at times felt bizarre and overwhelming.
“When we met, I was the more famous one,”
Thornton recalled.
“And then when we got together, for some reason, the people and the media are very interested in celebrity couples, that seems to be a very popular thing,”
he continued, highlighting the external pressures placed on their relationship.
Media fascination reached a peak with rumors about the couple’s famously mysterious lockets. Thornton addressed these stories, stating,
“We each had a little locket, literally with a drop of blood in them,”
Billy Bob Thornton, Actor.
“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,”
he added, poking fun at the wild speculation that dogged their time together.
Although the marriage eventually ended, their mutual admiration has endured. Regarding his other families, Thornton—who is a father to four children from different relationships—expressed tongue-in-cheek appreciation for the effort involved in sustaining marriages, stating humorously that he was at least “trying.”
Jolie’s Perspective on Their Continued Connection
Angelina Jolie, known for her roles in Maleficent and Eternals, has voiced similar sentiments about her past marriage with Thornton. She affirmed in an earlier Entertainment Weekly interview,
“I still love him dearly and think the world of him,”
Angelina Jolie, Actress.
“and I’m proud to have been his wife for a time,”
she added. Jolie also shared her views on living without regrets, emphasizing the importance of looking forward.
“I don’t believe in regrets. It’s a dangerous habit to get into—it makes you pause in your life if you start thinking back and questioning yourself,”
Angelina Jolie, Actress.
The amicable nature of their relationship places Thornton and Jolie among a group of former celebrity couples who have managed to nurture positive ties after their romantic partnerships ended.
Other High-Profile Exes Who Remain on Good Terms
The post-divorce friendship between Billy Bob Thornton and Angelina Jolie is not unique among Hollywood’s elite. Several other well-known former couples have also managed to preserve close connections despite their separations. Their stories show that friendships can thrive long after romantic chapters close, with a few even partnering on family matters or artistic endeavors after splitting.
Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt: Supportive Friendship in the Spotlight
Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt, once celebrated as Hollywood’s golden couple, continue to share a warm friendship. Despite declaring that reconciliation is not on the cards, they are frequently seen supporting each other—whether at birthday parties or public events—fueling speculation and fan interest. Their camaraderie was notably visible when they performed together in a virtual reading of ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High,’ playfully showcasing that they remain on friendly terms.
Sarah Silverman and Jimmy Kimmel: Laughter After Love
Comedians Sarah Silverman and Jimmy Kimmel have maintained a humorous and supportive bond post-breakup. Silverman once appeared on Kimmel’s talk show, joking about his current marriage, saying,
“She gets, like, new woke Jimmy. I had Man Show Jimmy,”
Sarah Silverman, Comedian. Their banter reflects the relaxed friendship they have cultivated since parting ways romantically.
Chris Pratt and Anna Faris: Supportive Co-Parenting and Well-Wishes
Chris Pratt and Anna Faris, who share a son named Jack, demonstrate openness and positivity regarding one another’s new relationships. When Pratt announced his engagement and later marriage to Katherine Schwarzenegger, Faris offered to officiate the ceremony and sent gifts to welcome the couple’s child, Lyla. Those close to the family emphasize Faris’s supportive nature and celebrate the maturity of their blended family dynamic.
Tarek El Moussa and Christina Hall: Collaborative Parenting and Business
Tarek El Moussa and Christina Hall have successfully balanced co-parenting and their professional partnership on HGTV. More than four years after their split, they continue to work together effectively in both parenting their children, Taylor and Brayden, and co-hosting their hit real estate show.
Lisa Bonet and Lenny Kravitz: Close Family Ties Post-Divorce
Lisa Bonet and musician Lenny Kravitz have remained “best friends” since their split, co-parenting their daughter, actress Zoe Kravitz. Lenny Kravitz described their enduring bond, saying,
“It’s beautiful, and it just shows you what can be done,”
Lenny Kravitz, Musician.
Julianne Hough and Brooks Laich: Celebratory Support and Friendship
Julianne Hough, dancer and TV host, and Brooks Laich, former hockey player, continue to celebrate life milestones together after their separation. Hough expressed her joy at Laich’s engagement to Katrín Tanja Davíðsdóttir by writing,
“I’m so happy for you both as you step into this beautiful new chapter together. Wishing you both a lifetime of love, laughter, and endless adventures,”
Julianne Hough, Entertainer. Later, she spent quality time with Laich and his new fiancée, posting a snapshot captioned,
“Special day on the lake with these three cuties,”
Julianne Hough, Entertainer.
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner: Model Co-Parents and Public Admiration
Following their 2015 breakup, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner have maintained a harmonious parenting relationship for their three children, Violet, Seraphina, and Samuel. Affleck publicly praised Garner as “an amazing mother” during a 2016 interview, highlighting their ongoing respect and teamwork as parents.
Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder: Friendship Through New Relationships
After ending their romantic relationship, Vampire Diaries costars Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder have managed to remain close friends. Their friendly interaction continued even after Somerhalder’s marriage to Nikki Reed, with Dobrev befriending Reed as well, demonstrating a modern and mature approach to moving on.
Lady Gaga and Taylor Kinney: Close Friendship After Splitting
Singer Lady Gaga and actor Taylor Kinney parted ways in 2016 after a long relationship but have stayed emotionally connected. Gaga addressed their enduring connection, stating,
“He’s been my lover and a friend for so long,”
Lady Gaga, Singer. She emphasized their ongoing affection: “We love each other,” Lady Gaga, Singer.
Mindy Kaling and B.J. Novak: Lifelong Bond Beyond The Office
Mindy Kaling and B.J. Novak became close during their time on The Office and have maintained a particularly strong friendship ever since. Kaling described their connection, remarking,
“If I was on the outside looking at it, I would think the same thing,”
Mindy Kaling, Writer and Actress. She underscored that Novak is now more like family:
“But the truth is that B.J. is so much more like family now than a platonic friend,”
Mindy Kaling, Writer and Actress.
Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz: Successful Co-Parenting Post-Divorce
Ashlee Simpson and musician Pete Wentz focused on collaborative parenting following their 2011 divorce. Wentz has commented positively about Simpson’s parenting, describing her as “an awesome mom.”
Miley Cyrus and Nick Jonas: Friendly Relationship After Young Love
Former teen idols Miley Cyrus and Nick Jonas have both spoken publicly about the amicable nature of their friendship after dating, with Jonas stating that “We’ve got a good relationship.”
Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Carpenter: Respect After Dexter Days
Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Carpenter, who starred together on Dexter, divorced in 2011 but have maintained a respectful and caring connection, according to subsequent interviews.
Bruce Willis and Demi Moore: Family Comes First
Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, co-parents to daughters Rumer, Tallulah, and Scout, exemplify family unity. The former couple even chose to quarantine together during the coronavirus pandemic, further cementing their reputation as amicable exes.
Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony: Artistic and Parental Support
Jennifer Lopez continues to credit her former husband Marc Anthony with helping her grow in confidence during their marriage. Lopez remarked,
“While I was married to Marc, he really helped me with my confidence and he saw where I suffered,”
Jennifer Lopez, Singer and Actress. She recalled his encouragement:
“He was like, ‘You’re a great singer. Don’t ever let anybody tell you you’re not a great singer.’ And I respected him so much ’cause I consider him one of the best singers of all time,”
Jennifer Lopez, Singer and Actress.
Courteney Cox and David Arquette: Effective Partners in Parenthood
Courteney Cox and David Arquette have described their breakup as one of the best possible outcomes, highlighting their co-parenting partnership. Cox reflected,
“I mean, as divorces go, I would say it’s one of the better ones. For sure,”
Courteney Cox, Actress.
Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake: Professional Collaboration Post-Romance
Despite ending their private relationship, Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake managed to collaborate on the film Bad Teacher, demonstrating that professionalism and respect can survive a breakup.
Peter Facinelli and Jennie Garth: Blended Families and Vacationing Together
Peter Facinelli and Jennie Garth now share friendly ties that extend to group vacations with their partners and children. Facinelli said warmly,
“I really like her husband and I think he’s a great guy,”
Peter Facinelli, Actor, and offered insights on relationships evolving:
“People come into your life for a reason and relationships can change,”
Peter Facinelli, Actor. He emphasized the value of continued affection:
“Just because we aren’t living together doesn’t mean you can’t love each other,”
Peter Facinelli, Actor.
Will Arnett and Amy Poehler: Children at the Center
Will Arnett and Amy Poehler prioritized family doings after separating, remaining very good friends. Poehler explained,
“As you know, Will and I are very, very good friends,”
Amy Poehler, Comedian and Actress. She added,
“We are doing a really good job. I don’t think a 10-year marriage constitutes a failure. I think relationships are really tough,”
Amy Poehler, Comedian and Actress.
Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd: Positive Co-Parenting Arrangement
Singers Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd, who finalized their divorce in early 2024, demonstrate a healthy co-parenting situation, living close by and sharing family dinners for the benefit of their son, Hayes.
What These Continued Friendships Signal About Modern Relationships
The ongoing Billy Bob Thornton Angelina Jolie relationship and countless similar connections among other notable ex-partners show a changing attitude toward post-breakup dynamics, especially in the public eye. Friendships, mutual support, and collaborative parenting increasingly define relationships after romance fades. Through acceptance, maturity, and open communication, these stars are providing a new model, suggesting that the end of romantic love need not spell the end of care and connection. As personal and family stories continue to evolve, such examples may inspire others to consider positive paths forward after a breakup.
