Profile of Billy Zane on Famous Like Me

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

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.

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.

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 hydrodynamics while moving through the water.

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.

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

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.

Filmography

• BloodRayne (2006) .... Elrich
• Mem-o-re (2005) .... Taylor Briggs
• The Pleasure Drivers (2005) .... Marvin
• The Last Drop (2005) .... Oates
• Silver City (2004) .... Chandler Tyson
• Big Kiss (2004) .... Billy
• Dead Fish (2004) .... Virgil
• Three (2004) .... Jack
• The Kiss (2003) .... Alan Roberts/young Philip Naudet
• Vlad (2003) .... Adrian
• Imaginary Grace (2003) .... Nero
• Starving Hysterical Naked (2003)
• Claim (2002) .... Roberto Bealing
• Landspeed (2002) .... Michael Sanger
• CQ (2001) .... Mr. E
• The Believer (2001) .... Curtis Zampf
• Taxman (1999/II) .... George Putter
• Morgan's Ferry (1999) .... Sam
• Susan's Plan (1998) .... Sam Myers
• I Woke Up Early the Day I Died (1998) .... The Thief
• Titanic (1997) .... Cal Hockley
• This World, Then the Fireworks (1997) .... Marty Lakewood
• Danger Zone (1997) .... Rick Morgan
• Head Above Water (1996) .... Kent
• The Phantom (1996) .... The Phantom/Kit Walker
• Demon Knight (1995) .... The Collector
• The Set Up (1995) .... Charles Thorpe
• Only You (1994) .... Harry, The False Damon Bradley
• Silenzio dei prosciutti, Il (1994) .... Joe Dee Foster
• Reflections on a Crime (1994) .... Colin
• Tombstone (1993) .... Mr. Fabian
• Poetic Justice (1993) .... Brad
• Posse (1993) .... Colonel Graham
• Sniper (1993) .... Richard Miller
• Betrayal of the Dove (1993) .... Dr. Jesse Peter
• Flashfire (1993) .... Jack Flinder
• Orlando (1992) .... Shelmerdine
• Blood and Concrete (1991) .... Joey Turks
• Femme Fatale (1991) .... Elijah
• Miliardi (1991) .... Maurizio Ferretti
• Memphis Belle (1990) .... Lt. Val Kozlowski
• Megaville (1990) .... Palinov/Jensen
• Back to the Future Part II (1989) .... Match
• Dead Calm (1989) .... Hughie Warriner
• Going Overboard (1989) .... King Neptune
• Critters (1986) .... Steve Elliot
• Back to the Future (1985) .... Match

Television

• Bet Your Life (2004) (TV) .... Joseph
• Invincible (2001/I) (TV) .... Os
• The Diamond of Jeru (2001) (TV) .... Mike Kardec
• Hendrix (2000) (TV) .... Michael Jeffrey
• Sole Survivor (2000) (mini) TV Series .... Joe Carpenter
• Cleopatra (1999) (TV) .... Marc Antony
• Running Delilah (1994) (TV) .... Paul
• Lake Consequence (1993) (TV) .... Billy
• Twin Peaks (1991) (TV) .... John Justice Wheeler
• The Case of the Hillside Stranglers (1989) (TV) .... Kenneth Bianchi
• Police Story: Monster Manor (1988) (TV) .... Officer Don Varney
• Conspiracy: The Trial of the Chicago 8 (1987) (TV) .... Police Officer
• Brotherhood of Justice (1986) (TV) .... Les

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