William George Zane Jr., born on February 24, 1966, in Chicago, is an American actor known for his roles in Titanic as Caledon Hockley and as the titular superhero in The Phantom.
He began his career with a role in Back to the Future and gained acclaim for his performance in Dead Calm.
Zane has appeared in various films and TV series, including Twin Peaks and Charmed.
He is of Greek descent and has an older sister, actress Lisa Zane.
Siblings
Lisa Zane, born on April 25, 1961, is Billy’s older sister and also an accomplished actress and singer.
Like her brother, she was born in Chicago and pursued her education at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, which helped her develop her acting skills.
Lisa is known for her roles in films such as Bad Influence, where she starred alongside Rob Lowe and James Spader, and Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare, part of the iconic horror franchise.
Her television work includes appearances in series like ER, The Last Ship, and Charmed, where she even guest-starred alongside Billy.
In addition to acting, Lisa is a talented singer and songwriter, having released music and performed in various venues.
Siblings
Zane began his acting career in the mid-1980s, making his film debut in Back to the Future as the character Match.
Although this was a minor role, it marked his entry into Hollywood and set the stage for his future endeavors.
Zane’s early work included various television appearances and stage performances, which helped him refine his craft.
His breakout role came in Dead Calm, where he played the menacing character Hughie Warriner alongside Nicole Kidman and Sam Neill.
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This performance showcased his ability to portray complex and intense characters, earning him critical acclaim and establishing him as a talent to watch.
Zane’s career reached new heights with his role as Caledon Hockley in James Cameron’s epic film Titanic.
In this blockbuster, he portrayed the wealthy and possessive fiancé of Rose DeWitt Bukater, played by Kate Winslet.
His performance was pivotal in establishing the character’s antagonistic nature, and the film itself became one of the highest-grossing movies of all time.
Zane’s role in Titanic not only increased his visibility in Hollywood but also solidified his status as a leading man in the industry.
Following Titanic, Zane starred in a variety of films that showcased his versatility.
He took on the title role in The Phantom, a superhero film based on the comic strip character created by Lee Falk.
Although the film did not perform well at the box office, Zane’s portrayal of the masked hero garnered a cult following.
He also appeared in films such as The Believer, where he played a Jewish neo-Nazi, demonstrating his willingness to tackle challenging and controversial roles.
Zane has also lent his voice to various animated projects and video games.
Notably, he voiced the character Ansem in the Kingdom Hearts video game series, which has a dedicated fan base.
Awards and accolades
Zane has received several awards and accolades throughout his career, reflecting his contributions to film and television.
Notably, he won the Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Supporting Actor – Drama in 1998 for his role in Titanic.
He also won the Best Actor Award at the 2000 B-Movie Film Festival for his performance in I Woke Up Early the Day I Died.
Zane has been nominated for various awards, including the Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Most Promising Actor for both Dead Calm and Memphis Belle.
He received a nomination for a Screen Actors Guild Award in 1998 for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in Titanic.
In recent years, he won the Best of the Year Award at the 2018 Gold Movie Awards for his role in Lucid and the May Award for Best Acting Ensemble at the 2022 Rome International Movie Awards for Stallone: Frank, That Is.
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