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"So I just called him," says [Billy Bob Thornton]. "Him" would be the president of the United States, with whom Thornton shares a home state, Arkansas, and some mutual friends, Harry and Susan Thomason, producers of the "Hearts Afire" TV series in which Thornton co-starred.
Thornton has been nominated as best actor by both the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and Screen Actors Guild for his performance in "Sling Blade," and the entire primary cast has been nominated by the latter as best ensemble. This is especially gratifying because Thornton wrote most of the characters, including the gay Dollar Store manager played by John Ritter and the abusive, alcoholic good ol' boy played by Dwight Yoakam.
Caption: BPI Billy Bob Thornton, left, plays a mentally retarded ex-convict in "Sling Blade.' Oscar nominee Thornton wrote, directed and starred in the drama, which is playing in the York area.