Billy Bob Thornton Critiques Celebrities Using Award Shows for Politics

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Billy Bob Thornton shared his thoughts on the intrusion of politics in award shows during an interview with Fox News Digital at the inaugural Newport Beach TV Fest.

The 70-year-old actor stated, “I don’t really care about awards anymore,” referring to his storied career. He noted he has “plenty of them,” and believes many awards are no longer awarded authentically.

Thornton elaborated that he prefers that award winners use their time on stage to acknowledge those who helped them achieve their success, rather than focus on political messages. “There is a time and place for that,” he said, adding that award shows should stick to celebrating achievements rather than discussing social issues.

He remarked, “Don’t go up there and talk about saving the badgers in Wisconsin or something, you know what I’m saying?” Thornton argued that if people have the financial means to support causes, they should do so outside of the award show context.

Joe Rogan, who hosted the segment, echoed Thornton’s sentiment, explaining that it often comes off as self-congratulatory when celebrities use awards as a platform to showcase their social consciousness.

Reflecting on his career, Thornton recalled his rise to fame with 1996’s “Sling Blade,” stating that if he had experienced early success, he might not have remained grounded in the industry. “I think growing up as a musician helped prepare me for some of it,” he said.

Currently, Thornton stars in the Paramount+ series “Landman,” where he plays an ambitious oil executive. He highlighted the contrast between his character’s ambitions and the reality of award show discussions.

This revelation underscores a growing sentiment among many artists who feel that award shows should maintain their primary focus on recognizing artistic achievements.