BILLY BOB THORNTON - THORNTON SURPRISED BY HIS BIG FINANCIAL BREAK

Hollywood star BILLY BOB THORNTON expected his iconic film SLING BLADE to attract a bit of critical acclaim, but he never believed he would make money out of it.

The BAD SANTA actor, who wrote, directed and starred in the 1996 heart-breaking tale, agreed a deal with a Los Angeles shooting gallery owner that would give him 50 per cent of any profit in return for getting the film made.

The 49-year-old recalls, "I had no idea it was gonna work out so well! I wasn't surprised by the critical acclaim it got - I'd figured critics might like it, but I was amazed it did so well with the public, that it actually made money.

"And I didn't think it would become iconic, like it has. It's sorta well known all around the world."