Billy Bob Thornton recently opened up about his health struggles and their impact on his unique dietary habits.
In a recent episode of the “Howie Mandel Does Stuff” podcast, the 70-year-old actor discussed the long-standing health issues that prompted his unusual snacking preferences.
He explained, “My diet is quite limited. I’m allergic to wheat and dairy, and I have type AB negative blood, the rarest blood type worldwide, affecting less than 1% of the population. It means I have fewer digestive enzymes, which contributes to my dietary restrictions. I grew up with numerous allergies.”
Thornton shared that he’s unable to consume dairy, wheat, shellfish, or any meats, including pork and beef.
Managing his health and nutrition has led to some creative meal choices. He revealed that for breakfast, he enjoyed a bowl of blueberries and planned to have gluten-free chips paired with dairy-free cream cheese later at home.
Reflecting on his childhood, he mentioned, “Growing up in Arkansas and East Texas, I ate everything. I just assumed everyone felt awful after eating; I didn’t know any better.”
His extensive dietary limitations have pushed him to try unconventional snacks. While recounting a moment in the green room before a “Landman” Q&A event, Thornton couldn’t find any food that suited him. Upon spotting some grapes, he decided to experiment, dipping them in Dijon mustard. “It turned out to be one of the best things I’ve ever tasted in my life. Now, it’s a regular thing for me,” he said.
During his earlier acting career, Thornton was known for making drastic physical changes for roles. However, in a January interview on “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” he mentioned that he no longer engages in this practice because it doesn’t feel good.
He reflected on gaining 60 pounds for his roles in “Tombstone” and “U Turn” during the late ’90s, and later dropping down to just 128 pounds for the film “Pushing Tin.”
“It’s amusing — whenever I see pictures from those days, I remember being a younger actor thinking, ‘I’ll gain 75 pounds for this role, and I’ll lose it for the next,’ and other such extremes,” he chuckled. “But eventually, as time passes, you realize you can’t keep doing that.”
Currently, Thornton stars in the popular Paramount+ series “Landman”, alongside actors Ali Larter, Demi Moore, and Sam Elliott.
The show revolves around roughnecks and billionaires in West Texas as they navigate the oil industry’s increasing dominance in the area.
Reflecting on his experience, Thornton shared, “I learned a lot about the oil business that I wasn’t fully aware of before. I knew some people in the industry, more on the corporate side in Texas. What surprised me was the number of individuals with troubled pasts working in the oil fields. People like ex-convicts find jobs there, earning between $120,000 and $180,000 a year while trying to rebuild their lives.”
