On July 27, Billy Bob Thornton made his first major public appearance since the news broke that Angelina Jolie left him. The event was a fundraiser for the American Heart Association, held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. But unlike Jolie, who spoke exclusively with this magazine, Thornton, 47, wasn't talking. The only comment he made was "I don't talk about stuff. I take the high road." The singing actor, in a black sleeveless top, black jeans and cowboy boots -- but no wedding ring -- sang tunes from his album, Private Radio, though for the first time this year he didn't croon "Angelina." At the American Heart Association event, he did, however, sing a song called "Smoking in Bed."

MICHAEL LEWITTES
(August 12, 2002)