Bella Thornton Is a Book Lover & Raised under the Radar by Famous Dad

Bella Thornton is the only child between Billy Bob Thronton and his wife of eight years, Connie Angland. Bella has grown a liking for insects, even dressing as one for Halloween in 2013. She is very dear to her father, who has a hold on her love life.

On September 24, 2004, Billy Bob Thornton and his girlfriend at the time, Connie Angland, welcomed their first child, Bella Thornton. Her father, Billy, is a famous American actor, filmmaker, and musician. Her visual artist mother and movie star father met on the "Bad Santa" set in 2003.

Upon delivery, Bella weighed 6 lbs. and 11 oz. And became her father's fourth child and her mother's first. Bella's parents went on to get married in 2014. This marriage surprised many since the actor seemingly turned his back on marriage after five failed attempts.

Bella Thornton Is a "Wonder" Kid Who Changed Her Father's Life

Bella was preceded by the birth of two boys and a girl from her father's previous marriages. Billy had been in love with his daughter since infancy, and he exalted her as a wonder kid when she was three months old. He shared a sense of the difference between having a girl child and a boy:

"They say there's this thing between a father and a daughter, and it's true. Already there's this bond. It's pretty wild, especially with a girl. It's a different experience."

As a child, Bella had two contrasting personalities. Her father described her as a fiery girlchild who was either harmonious or blunt in her interactions with others. The wonder kid was born ten years after her youngest sibling, bringing the ancient feelings of fathering a newborn and the diaper-changing routine back into her father's life.

Bella Thornton Wanted to Study Entomology as She Makes Her Dad Proud

Billy disclosed that his daughter had taken an interest in science. He said that Bella wanted to be an entomologist. In 2013, she dressed as a monarch butterfly and her father as a ladybug. The 18-year-old inspired their costumes.

Before the age of eight, Bella discovered her love for literature. Her father revealed that she loves reading and prefers the tradition of reading from physical pages as opposed to a digital copy of a book.

He explained that society is developing a dependence on technology so strong that they have lost the ability to wonder and do things manually. He recognizes the beneficial use of technology—like the connectivity it provides during an emergency. However, he suggests that society should slow down and adopt some practical methods of the past.

On October 10, 2019, Billy and Connie accompanied her to American animator Rebecca Sugar's "The Tale of Seven" book launch in California. The family was pictured in unison as they dressed in dark colors at the highly attended event.

Bella Thornton's Dad Doesn't Want Her to Date Anyone Like Him

Many reports confirmed Billy's unfaithfulness in all five of his previous marriages. The "Friday Night Lights" star disclosed that he wants his daughter to stay away from men like himself. He said: "Once my daughter was born, it does ­something to you. I don't want my daughter to ever be anywhere near anyone like me."

The 76-year-old mentioned that he is not a gatekeeper in his daughter's love life but suggests that he will be ready to face that phase of her life when he is in his old age and living in a nursing home, to be specific. Billy has been married to five women before Connie, including Playboy model Pietra Dawn Cherniak.

Her family is highly protective of her, managing to keep her public appearances minimal. However, in 2013, Bella made her debut in a Blake Bard-directed film, "Hodgepodge," a short film about a selection of artists that were accepted for a variety show, and the film shows their journey leading up to the event.