Billy Zane

William George Zane, Jr. (born February 24, 1966 in Chicago, Illinois), better known as Billy Zane, is an American actor/model.

Related Topics:
February 24 - 1966 - Chicago, Illinois - American - Actor - Model

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Billy Zane, born William Zanetakos, is of Greek-American heritage and speaks fluent Greek. His parents, George and Thalia, ran a medical technical school and his older sister is actress Lisa Zane. He is a graduate of the Francis W. Parker School. Two of his classmates were future actors, Daryl Hannah and Jennifer Beals.

Related Topics:
Greek - American - Greek - Lisa Zane - Francis W. Parker School - Daryl Hannah - Jennifer Beals

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His first prominent screen role was in Back to the Future (1985) playing Biff Tannen's friend Match. He landed the role as a fluke by appearing nonchalant, dressed in a T-shirt. Zane later reprised the role for the 1989 sequel, Back to the Future II. Although he is perhaps best known for playing Caledon Hockley in the 1997 movie blockbuster Titanic.

Related Topics:
Back to the Future - 1985 - Biff Tannen - T-shirt - 1989 - Back to the Future II - Caledon Hockley - 1997 - Blockbuster - Titanic

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Premature hair loss has not diminished Zane's acting career. Sometimes, while in character, he wears a wig, although he usually shaves his head while not in character and has been forefront in promoting this look. Zane is also an avid swimmer, therefore shaving his head plays a functional part in aiding his aerodynamics while moving through the water.

Related Topics:
Hair loss - Wig - Aerodynamics

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Zane married co-actress Lisa Collins in 1989; the couple divorced in 1995. He was also engaged for a time to Chilean actress Leonor Varela, his costar in the 1999 television movie Cleopatra.

Related Topics:
Lisa Collins - 1995 - Leonor Varela - 1999 - Television movie - Cleopatra

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In 1999 he participated in the first Gumball 3000 rally, driving a 1964 Aston Martin DB5.

Related Topics:
1999 - Gumball 3000 - 1964 - Aston Martin DB5

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Zane keeps busy in other parts of the entertainment industry as well. He is a singer and can occasionally be seen in various Broadway shows. He also played the voice of Ansem in Squaresoft and Disney's renowned video game Kingdom Hearts. Zane also had a recurring role in the popular television series Charmed in which he played poetry loving ex-demon Drake.

Related Topics:
Broadway - Ansem - Squaresoft - Disney - Kingdom Hearts - Popular - Television series - Charmed - Poetry

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