ACTOR
Billy Zane
- Known for
- Dead Calm (1989), The Phantom (1996), Memphis Belle (1990), Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight (1995)
26 archived facts 4 topics 1 source Last reviewed Oct 2026
Billy Zane is an actor best known for Dead Calm, The Phantom and Memphis Belle.
All facts (26)
- #001
Billy Zane was initially cast as Johnny Castle in the romantic drama Dirty Dancing (1987). During rehearsals, choreographer Emile Ardolino realized Zane could not dance, and the role went to Patrick Swayze.
- #002
All of Billy Zane's grandparents were Greek. His family's surname was originally "Zanetakos."
- #003
Billy Zane is also an abstract expressionist painter and has held numerous group and solo exhibitions.
- #004
Billy Zane is an avid swimmer and began shaving his head for hydrodynamics.
- #005
Billy Zane pumped iron for more than a year to play the lead in The Phantom (1996).
- #006
Billy Zane added more muscle to his already strong physique so he could effectively play Marc Antony in the television film Cleopatra (1999).
- #007
In his sophomore year of high school, Billy Zane attended the American School in Switzerland.
- #008
Billy Zane attended the Francis W. Parker School in Chicago with Jeremy Piven and the Harand Theatre Arts Camp in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.
- #009
Billy Zane has shot films five times in more than 19 countries, including Australia.
- #010
Billy Zane remains good friends with his Titanic (1997) co-stars Edward Fletcher, Frances Fisher, Jonathan Hyde and Rochelle Rose.
- #011
Billy Zane served on the jury at the Beverly Hills Film Festival alongside James Russo, Martiros Vartanov, Corbin Bernsen, Robert Davi and Elisa Donovan.
- #012
Billy Zane has played opposite sides of the typical "marooned love triangle." In Dead Calm (1989) he played the handsome, mysterious stranger stranded with Sam Neill (the husband) and Nicole Kidman (the wife). In Survival Island (2005) he played the jealous husband against Kelly Brook (the wife) and Juan Pablo Di Pace (the handsome stranger).
- #013
Billy Zane took part in the first Gumball 3000 Rally in a 1964 Aston Martin DB5.
- #014
Billy Zane is the voice of Broderick "Brodi" Ford in the EA Sports Big game SSX Tricky (2001), released for PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube and Xbox.
- #015
Billy Zane was engaged to Leonor Varela.
- #016
Billy Zane has a hot dog named after him in Chicago.
- #017
In 2024 Billy Zane took on the role of Marlon Brando in the biographical film Waltzing with Brando (2024), and that same year Matt Dillon portrayed that character in the biographical film Being Maria (2024).
- #018
Billy Zane's daughters' mother is Candice Neil.
- #019
Billy Zane attended the 60th Cannes Film Festival in France.
- #020
Billy Zane attended the 63rd Cannes Film Festival in France.
- #021
Billy Zane attended the 2004 Toronto International Film Festival in Canada.
- #022
Billy Zane attended the 61st Cannes Film Festival in France.
- #023
Billy Zane attended the 51st Cannes Film Festival in France.
- #024
Billy Zane attended the 56th Cannes Film Festival in France.
- #025
Billy Zane attended the 58th Cannes Film Festival in France.
- #026
Billy Zane attended the 59th Cannes Film Festival in France.
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