1

Edna Foster and Edith Storey (1911)

Image: University of Washington, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Even just thirty years after his death, the figure of Billy the Kid was so legendary that films were already being produced based on his life. The first two, both silent shorts, date from 1911 and share an intriguing peculiarity: both star women.

Billy the Kid was directed by Laurence Trimble and is very loosely based on the life of the famous outlaw. It is, however, believed to be a lost film. Edith Storey , an American actress who had played male characters in films such as Oliver Twist , stars as "the Kid."

The Adventures of Billy , on the other hand, was directed by the great pioneer American motion-picture director D. W. Griffith. In this film, the role of Billy is played by American child actress Edna Foster.

2

Johnny Mack Brown (1930)

Image: Ruth Harriet Louise, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

American college football player and film actor John Mack Brown was the first to play Billy the Kid in the talkies. He was directed by none other than the great film director and producer King Vidor in 1930's Billy the Kid . This film is a pre-Code Western and tells the story of Billy's escape after avenging his boss and the subsequent manhunt by Sheriff Pat Garret.

Johnny Mack Brown had started his career by appearing in a few minor films until he got his big break with this movie. Unfortunately, his career in mainstream cinema did not flourish, leading him to transition into low-budget Westerns. Eventually, he found significant success as a B-movie cowboy , becoming a beloved figure in the genre.

3

Jack Buetel (1943)

Image: here, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Jack Buetel was an inexperienced actor when tycoon Howard Hughes cast him in his next film, The Outlaw , in 1940. Buetel signed a seven-year contract after Hughes promised him that he would make him a star.

The film faced many difficulties. It wasn’t immediately approved due to its erotic scenes, and although it was officially released in 1943, it was not until 1946 that the public was able to finally see it. Produced during the golden age of the genre, The Outlaw is considered a psychological Western. However, it was not well received by the critics of the time, and Buetel's work was especially bashed. After this, Hughes refused to allow Buetel to participate in other films, and his career never really took off.

4

Paul Newman (1958)

Image: Unknown authorUnknown author, dedicated to Bettmann Archive, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Paul Newman is one of the most celebrated actors of the 20th century and is best known for his roles in several classic Westerns. But did you know that the first Western character Paul Newman portrayed was Billy the Kid? In the mid-1950s, Newman was cast to replace James Dean in The Left Handed Gun after Dean's untimely death. This was the beginning of a series of films about the Old West that the beloved American actor would play throughout his career.

Based on a teleplay by Gore Vidal and directed by Arthur Penn, The Left Handed Gun departs from the classic genre iconography to present the famous bandit much closer to the rebellious and tormented antiheroes of the era. Thus, in this film the characters are complex and nuanced, questioning and revising the traditional portrayal of the savage outlaw.

5

Clu Gulager (1960 - 1962)

Image: NBC Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The first television series about Billy the Kid was The Tall Man , which aired on NBC from September 10, 1960, to September 1, 1962. Although we all know that the real story ends with Billy being killed by Pat Garrett, this light-hearted action series focuses on the duo's alleged happier days, when they had more of a father-and-son relationship.

Clu Gulager, born in Oklahoma and the son of a cowboy entertainer, plays Billy. Although he was already 32 years old when cast, the actor earned his well-deserved place in the role. After the success of this series, Gulager worked in other Westerns and later had a second career as a horror film actor. His last appearance on the big screen was in 2019, in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

6

Geoffrey Deuel (1970)

Image: Unsigned, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

While this is not a film specifically about Billy the Kid's life, he does appear as a supporting character. Starring the legendary John Wayne, Chisum tells the story of the 1878 Lincoln County War, an Old West conflict between rival factions involving some famous gunslingers, including William H. Bonney, better known as Billy the Kid.

In this film, Geoffrey Deuel plays Billy the Kid. Although he had already participated in some television series, Chisum was his debut on the big screen.

7

Kris Kristofferson (1973)

Image: Republic Country Club, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Kris Kristofferson is best known for his career as a country musician and his appearance in the 1976 version of A Star is Born alongside Barbra Streisand. But did you know he also portrayed Billy the Kid? In 1973, he was cast in the revisionist Western film Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid , directed by Sam Peckinpah.

One of the most intriguing aspects of Kristofferson's involvement in this film is that he introduced Bob Dylan to the director. Dylan was initially hired to write the title song, but ended up composing the whole score and even played the role of "Alias." Among the songs Dylan wrote for the film was the iconic "Knockin' on Heaven's Door."

8

Val Kilmer (1989)

Image: Billy Hathorn at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/>, via Wikimedia Commons

American writer Gore Vidal was not pleased with the adaptation of his teleplay for The Left Handed Gun , so he decided to produce his own version. The resulting TV movie premiered on TNT in May 1989, with Val Kilmer cast as Billy the Kid.

Kilmer's version of Billy the Kid is a bit friendlier than his predecessors. He was also the right age for the character, making Gore Vidal's Billy the Kid one of the most historically rigorous accounts of the outlaw's life.

After this film, Val Kilmer's career continued to grow, with standout roles in The Doors and Batman Forever . Billy the Kid wasn’t the only gunslinger he portrayed—Kilmer also famously played Doc Holliday in the 1993 film Tombstone .

9

Dane DeHaan (2019)

Image: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

American actor Dane DeHaan portrays Billy the Kid in the 2019 film The Kid , alongside Ethan Hawke as lawman Pat Garrett. The physical resemblance between DeHaan—a younger Leonardo DiCaprio lookalike—and the real William H. Bonney is striking, making the Vincent D'Onofrio-directed film not only a fresh take but also one of the closest onscreen renditions of the mythical character.

In an interview, DeHaan said that he accepted the role because he thought it was a very interesting character to play. He also explained that he considered Billy The Kid a victim of the media and explained that the film aims to depict the harsh realities of the Wild West, where survival often drove people to desperate and terrible actions.

10

Tom Blyth (2022 - )

Image: Asagan at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

The most recent version of Billy the Kid is played by Tom Blyth, a 29-year-old English actor from Birmingham. Blyth plays the infamous outlaw in the television series Billy the Kid, which premiered on MGM+ in April 2022. Produced by Michael Hirst, the English producer behind hits like The Tudors and Vikings , the series was renewed for a third and final season in 2024.

To prepare for this character, Blyth didn't just read a ton of books about Billy's story, he felt the need to do something more tangible to get into the skin of the famous outlaw. He traveled to Arizona, rented a car, and began a 7-day pilgrimage around New Mexico visiting all the places William H. Bonney had once been. He even visited his grave! His intention was to make the character more palpable and real as opposed to this exaggerated image of the mythical character we are used to.

1

Bob Dylan

Image: Laura Ockel

The Nobel Prize-winning singer-songwriter who gave us anthems like "Blowin' in the Wind" is also a passionate metalworker. Dylan spends his downtime in his Black Buffalo Ironworks studio, crafting intricate gates and sculptures from found objects such as farm equipment, tools, and antique firearms.

2

Angelina Jolie

Image: Joshua Sukoff

Angelina Jolie is world-renowned for her celebrated Hollywood career and humanitarian work. But this actress-director also has a license to thrill in the air. Jolie is a certified pilot who owns a Cirrus SR-22 single-engine aircraft, often taking to the skies for both personal adventures and humanitarian missions.

3

Patrick Dempsey

Image: Carl Gelin

There’s more to Patrick Dempsey than being the charming neurosurgeon Dr. Derek Shepherd (aka "McDreamy") on Grey's Anatomy . The actor has developed a passion for race car driving , competing in prestigious events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Rolex 24 at Daytona. He even owns his own racing team, Dempsey Racing!

4

Bob Barker

Image: Thao LEE

The iconic game show host who entertained millions on The Price Is Right for 35 years had a surprising secret weapon up his sleeve: karate. Trained by none other than Chuck Norris , he practiced for decades and even earned his black belt.

5

Steve Martin

Image: Chen Mizrach

He's a comedian, actor, writer... and a banjo virtuoso? That's right! The "wild and crazy guy" who brought us hilarious classics like The Jerk and Planes, Trains and Automobiles is also an accomplished banjo player and composer . Steve Martin has released several bluegrass albums, collaborated with legends like Earl Scruggs, and even won a Grammy for his exceptional work.

6

Steve Carell

Image: Matthew Fournier

Known for his hilarious roles and versatile acting career, Steve Carell is also a whiz on the ice. A passionate hockey player since childhood, he has been lacing up his skates whenever possible. He even got the chance to display his skill on an early episode of The Office .

7

Michael Phelps

Image: Will Porada

He’s the most decorated Olympian of all time, boasting 28 swimming medals. But Michael Phelps didn’t stop at the pool—he also picked up a golf club. He is the holder of a Guinness World Record for the longest televised putt . That was an impressive 159 feet.

8

Kobe Bryant

Image: Mirko Fabian

The late NBA legend was not only a basketball icon but also a gifted storyteller. He proved it after retiring from basketball when he founded Granity Studios, a multimedia company focused on creating inspiring content for young athletes .

One of its standout works was the animated short film Dear Basketball —a heartfelt tribute to Bryant’s lifelong passion for the game.

9

Venus Williams

Image: Jean-Philippe Delberghe

Venus Williams, the tennis superstar with seven Grand Slam singles titles and four Olympic gold medals, also has a passion for interior design. She founded V Starr Interiors, a company specializing in creating stylish and functional spaces for both residential and commercial clients. She even has a degree in fashion design !

10

Viggo Mortensen

Image: Karolina Grabowska

Viggo Mortensen is celebrated for his captivating performances in films like The Lord of the Rings and Eastern Promises , but he’s also a man of many talents. In addition to acting, he is a poet, musician, photographer, and publisher .

He founded Perceval Press, an independent publishing house dedicated to promoting the work of artists and writers.

11

Terry Crews

Image: KOBU Agency

Before delivering laughs on Brooklyn Nine-Nine or throwing action-packed punches in The Expendables , Terry Crews was an NFL linebacker. But even before that, this multi-talented actor was a skilled artist. He still creates detailed paintings and illustrations in his spare time.

12

Shaquille O’Neal

Image: Yomex Owo

Shaquille O'Neal earned a place in the Hall of Fame for his legendary basketball career, but his talents extend far beyond sports. He's also an entertainment icon with numerous endorsements and a DJ performing under the name " DJ Diesel ."

Remembering the fallen

Did you know Memorial Day was first called Decoration Day?

Memorial Day is an occasion to honor and mourn those who gave their lives in defense of the United States . This federal holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, has a long and evolving history, and it wasn’t always celebrated the way we know it today. Here are 10 facts about how Memorial Day came to be.

Decoration Day

Image: Caroline Attwood

Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day and was first observed on May 30, 1868, as a way to honor Union soldiers who had died in the Civil War. However, the idea behind it actually came from the South. Mary Ann Williams , whose husband died during the conflict, wrote a letter to a newspaper urging women to set aside a day to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers.

The end of May

Decoration Day was instituted by the Army’s commander-in-chief, General John A. Logan , and was quickly adopted by most states. There are several theories about why the date was chosen: some say Logan purposely picked a day that was not the anniversary of any Civil War battle, while others believe he chose it because it’s the time of year when most flowers bloom.

National Cemeteries

During the American Civil War, the U.S. Congress passed an act to create military burial places for Union soldiers. By the end of that year, 12 national cemeteries had been established. Today, the National Cemetery System maintains 164 military burial sites, the most well-known being Arlington National Cemetery and Gettysburg National Cemetery .

Renaming

The term Memorial Day was first recorded in the 1880s and grew increasingly popular after World War II. However, the holiday wasn’t officially renamed until 1968, when the Uniform Monday Holiday Act moved its observance from May 30 to the last Monday in May.

A moment for remembrance

The establishment of Memorial Day weekend has been seen by some as a benefit to the travel, sports, and entertainment industries. Veterans’ organizations have urged that the holiday be returned to its original date, arguing that the three-day weekend undermines its intended meaning. In response, Congress passed the National Moment of Remembrance Act , which encourages people to pause at 3:00 p.m. for a moment of silent reflection and remembrance.

Poppies

Several English-speaking countries adopted the poppy flower as a symbol of remembrance for fallen soldiers after World War I. This tradition was inspired by the poem In Flanders Fields , written by Canadian military doctor John McCrae , which describes poppies growing among soldiers’ graves. In the United States, the poppy was originally associated with Veterans Day but is now primarily worn during Memorial Day weekend.

The flag

The national flag flies at half-staff during periods of mourning. While special instances of mourning can be proclaimed by government authorities, remembrance holidays follow a set protocol. On Memorial Day, the U.S. flag is briskly raised to the top of the staff, then solemnly lowered to half-staff, where it remains until noon. At that time, it is raised again to full staff to honor the nation’s living heroes and those still serving.

The Unknown Soldier

One of the focal points of Memorial Day is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery . This symbolic monument was established in 1921 and originally held the remains of an unidentified soldier who died in World War I. Later, unidentified soldiers from World War II and the Korean War were also interred at the site. A permanent military guard stands watch year-round, honoring the sacrifice of all unidentified service members.

Memorial Wreaths

Wreaths are a common sight on Memorial Day—but where does the tradition come from? In 1992, Morrill Worcester, owner of a wreath company in Maine, found himself with a surplus of holiday wreaths. Wanting to put them to good use, he donated them to Arlington National Cemetery as a tribute to the fallen—a gesture that soon became an annual tradition. After a photo of the wreath-covered graves went viral in 2005, the nonprofit organization Wreaths Across America was established to help volunteers place wreaths on veterans’ graves across the country.

The start of the summer

Even though it is a day of remembrance, Memorial Day weekend also marks the unofficial start of summer . The holiday often coincides with the end of the school year, and the warmer weather encourages families to gather for barbecues and cookouts, attend parades, and visit the graves and memorials of fallen soldiers.