During their work together on the Paramount+ hit show Landman, actress Michelle Randolph gradually grew comfortable enough to ask her onscreen father, Billy Bob Thornton, about the infamous blood ritual linked to Angelina Jolie. In a conversation on The Drew Barrymore Show on Wednesday, Randolph said,
“God, like what, all I know is that he drank Angelina Jolie’s blood or something,”
before admitting,
“Which I since have asked him about. I can’t lie.”
This exchange revealed the curiosity surrounding the unusual stories tied to Thornton and Jolie’s past relationship.
The History Behind Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton’s Unique Connection
Billy Bob Thornton, now 70 years old, tied the knot with Angelina Jolie in 2000 after their romance blossomed on the set of the 1998 film Pushing Tin. At the time, Thornton was engaged to Laura Dern, and Jolie was dating Timothy Hutton, adding complexity to their love story. Their marriage became famous for unconventional gestures, including Jolie wearing a white T-shirt emblazoned with “Billy Bob” written in blood during their Las Vegas wedding ceremony. She also tattooed his name on her shoulder and secured “his and hers” grave plots to mark their first anniversary.
Thornton elaborated on the blood ritual in a November interview with Rolling Stone, saying,
“We each had a little locket, literally with a drop of blood in them. 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.”
The Dynamics and Aftermath of Thornton and Jolie’s Marriage
Their marriage lasted three years before ending amicably. Thornton described the split as
“one of the greatest times of my life”
and emphasized the friendliness that persisted, explaining,
“She and I are still very, very close friends.”
He attributed the separation to differences in lifestyle rather than conflict, noting,
“We simply split up because our lifestyles were so different.”
This perspective highlights a mature conclusion to their intense but highly publicized relationship.
Onscreen Chemistry and Support Within the Cast of Landman
Michelle Randolph, who portrays Ainsley, the cheerleader daughter of Tommy Norris on Landman, praised Thornton’s ease and skill as an actor, sharing with Barrymore,
“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.”
Randolph expressed that Thornton’s calming presence helped temper her own fast-paced energy during filming.
Randolph also described the bond she formed with her onscreen mother Ali Larter, particularly during their first season. She said,
“We didn’t know what we had gotten ourselves. I mean, we were so excited to be there, but going, how do our characters fit into this very dramatic show?”
emphasizing how they leaned on each other for support as they navigated their roles. She added,
“And so we just really relied on each other and we just grabbed each other’s hands and we were like, ‘Okay, I think it’s jumping in together.’”
Landman’s Growing Popularity and Future Prospects
Landman, a drama created by Taylor Sheridan and Christian Wallace, is based on Wallace’s 2019 podcast Boomtown. The cast includes notable actors such as Demi Moore, Sam Elliott, and Andy Garcia, adding star power to the series. On December 5, Paramount+ announced a renewal for a third season, responding to impressive viewer engagement — the second season’s premiere attracted 9.2 million viewers in just the first two days.
Production for the upcoming season is expected to begin between April and May, signaling continued momentum for the show. Randolph will soon compete alongside 12 of her castmates for the Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series award at the 32nd Actor Awards, which are scheduled to air on Netflix on March 1.
The Lingering Impact of the Angelina Jolie Blood Ritual Story
The unusual blood ritual involving Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton remains one of the more intriguing celebrity stories to surface about their relationship, generating curiosity among co-stars and fans alike. While Thornton has downplayed it as a romantic gesture, it continues to be a vivid example of the couple’s unique connection and the intense personal expressions shared during their marriage.
This glimpse into their past also enriches understanding of Thornton’s enigmatic persona, both onscreen and off, as viewed by colleagues like Randolph, who appreciate his ability to reveal honesty in others through his craft. As Landman advances into its next seasons, audiences and colleagues alike watch with anticipation how these layered personalities and relationships will evolve in the landscape of contemporary dramatic television.
