Character/Job: Billy Black
Actor/Production Person: Gil Birmingham
Birthday: July 13, 1966
City and State: San Antonio, Texas
Official casing announcement link: https://www.twilightlexicon.com/?p=719
Life Bio:
Some dreams never die! Born on a military base in San Antonio, Texas, Gil Birmingham started out with his focus on an entirely different spotlight than the one he now finds himself in. When looking at his lengthy filmography, it becomes quite apparent that Gil is an actor who has enjoyed a steady stream of work since 1986. So it should come as some surprise to learn that Gil Birmingham a.k.a. multi-talented actor a.k.a. Jacob Black’s dad . . . initially set out in life with a dream to ROCK! And almost thirty acting projects later . . . that dream still lives. But these days, the dream keeps company with a thriving and illustrious acting career.
For Gil, the road to acting was not always a clear one. The son of a military man, he spent his younger years traveling with his family from one destination to another. His father was Comanche and his mother was a non-Native American. Gil concedes that neither of them were perfect. Growing up on a military base did not always lend itself to experiences of a culturally diverse nature. So not surprisingly, there was very little exposure to the arts early on. In fact, for a young Native American boy, military life overall was often very lonely. His unconventional upbringing often brought about feelings of isolation and abandonment.
It was not until he entered college at the University of Southern California that he began to branch out and experience new things. He started by trying out a variety of school majors before he finally settled on Administration. Once decided, Gil went on to graduate with a degree in that field where he subsequently worked as an engineer for four years. During that exploratory period, Gil started delving into even more areas that were once barred from him as a child. Along with a love for rock music, Gil soon found that he had an interest in weight lifting. So much so that he began competing in the sport on a city wide level.
Then, on the recommendation of a former girlfriend, Gil decided that he should give acting a try. His big break came when he appeared opposite Diana Ross in her music video for the song, entitled of all things . . . ‘Muscles’. From there, the acting opportunities kept coming. Everything from playing the role of Conan the Barbarian at Universal Studio’s Theme Park to a number of guest stints on several popular daytime soap operas.
These days, Gil has enjoyed a string of guest appearances on TV series like Veronica Mars and the supernaturally charged Charmed and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Ironically, Gil’s new role in Twilight calls for him to tackle the world of vampires yet again. Except this time, the vampires are of the non-fanged variety. In Twilight Gil plays the role of Billy Black, the superstitious Quileute Indian and family patriarch who tries to warn Bella Swan about her mysterious new friends, the Cullens. But to Twilight fans everywhere, Billy Black is first and foremost . . . Jacob Black’s daddy! Which is pretty much as close as one person can get to being a real rock star.
Which brings this back to the original premise. Some dreams never die. Because Gil still plays the guitar. And he still travels from city to city performing with a band. Who knows, if this acting thing doesn’t work out . . .
Fun Facts (if applicable): Gil plays the guitar and performs with a band.
He once played Conan the Barbarian at Universal Studios.
Gil is a former weight lifter.
Stephenie’s comments on this person (if applicable): N/A
Film Credits:
Love Ranch (2009) . . . . . Sheriff Cortez
California Indian (2008) . . . . . Charles ‘Chi’ Thomas
Turok: Son of Stone (2008) (voice) . . . . . Nashoba
Cosmic Radio (2007) . . . . . Tribal Council Leader
“Veronica Mars” . . . . . Leonard Lobo (2 episodes, 2006)
– Happy Go Lucky (2006) TV episode . . . . . Leonard Lobo
– Versatile Toppings (2006) TV episode . . . . . Leonard Lobo
“Charmed” . . . . . Indian Chief (1 episode, 2006)
– Payback’s a Witch (2006) TV episode . . . . . (uncredited) Indian Chief
Love’s Long Journey (2005) (TV) . . . . . Sharp Claw
End of the Spear (2005) (TV) . . . . . Moipa
“Into the West” (2005) (mini) . . . . . Older Dogstar
“Medical Investigation” . . . . . Walter Shepard (1 episode, 2005)
– Tribe (2005) TV episode . . . . . Walter Shepard
The Lone Ranger (2003) (TV) . . . . . One Horn
DreamKeeper (2003) (TV) . . . . . Sam
Gentle Ben 2: Danger on the Mountain (2003) (TV) . . . . . Pete
“Body & Soul” (2002) TV series . . . . . Oz (unknown episodes)
Skins (2002) . . . . . Sonny Yellow Lodge
Gentle Ben (2002) (TV) . . . . . Pete
The Doe Boy (2001) . . . . . Manny Deadmarsh
“V.I.P.” (1 episode, 2001) . . . . . Roland
– The Uncle from V.A.L. (2001) TV episode . . . . . Roland
“Family Law” . . . . . Bernard (1 episode, 2001)
– Americans (2001) TV episode . . . . . Bernard
Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun (1999) (Voice) . . . . . GhostStalker
“The Wild Thornberrys” . . . . . Jim’s Dad (1 episode, 1999)
– Tamper Proof Seal (199) TV episode (Voice) . . . . . Jim’s Dad
“Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman” . . . . . Brave #1 (1 episode, 1997)
– Safe Passage (1997) TV episode . . . . . Brave #1
“Night Man” . . . . . Vargas (1 episode, 1997)
– I Left My Heart in San Francisco (1997) TV episode . . . . . Vargas
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” . . . . . Peruvian Man (1 episode, 1997)
– Inca Mummy Girl (1997) TV episode . . . . . Peruvian Man
Jaguar, Le (1996)
“Falcon Crest” (1 episode, 1987)
– Desperation (1987) TV episode
House II: The Second Story (1987) . . . . . Featured Warrior
“Riptide” . . . . . Cop (1 episode, 1986)
– Chapel of Glass (1986) TV episode . . . . . Cop
Youtube film clips: http://www.gilbirmingham.com/clips.html
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.channel&ChannelID=223465775
Up coming Projects: Love Ranch . . . Sheriff Johnny Cortez
Non-Twilight Interview Links (Youtube/other news sites): N/A
Fan sites (were applicable): www.gilbirmingham.com
Photo gallery links: http://www.gilbirmingham.com/gallery.html
http://www.gilbirmingham.com/gallery2.html
Send Fan Mail to: Gil Birmingham
c/o Tammara McGee
P.O. Box 542382
Dallas, TX 75354-2382
This actor bio was prepared by: Visitor
Follow Us!