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Billy Slaughter
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William H. Slaughter is an American film and television actor, best known for his roles in The Big Short, The Magnificent Seven, The Campaign, Netflix's Mindhunter, Anne Rice's Mayfair Witches, and Marvel's Cloak & Dagger. He starred in films such as Mysterious Circumstance,[1] which won the "Best Picture" award at the Los Angeles Film Awards (2022).[2]
Early life
[edit]Slaughter was born on June 3, 1980, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He attended Jesuit High School in New Orleans. After getting his acting degree, he was selected to stand-in for Dustin Hoffman on the John Grisham film, Runaway Jury. Hoffman then invited Slaughter to move to Los Angeles, where he would work from 2002–2005 as Hoffman's permanent stand-in.[3] Slaughter graduated in Drama and Communications from the University of New Orleans.[4] He has been trained at the British American Drama Academy (BADA).[4]
Career
[edit]In 2011, Slaughter played Ryan in the action film Colombiana opposite Zoe Saldaña, the film was directed by Olivier Megaton and released domestically by TriStar Pictures on August 26, 2011.[5][6]
In 2012, Slaughter played the role of Dermot in the political comedy film The Campaign along with Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis.[7] The film was directed by Jay Roach and released by Warner Bros. Pictures on August 10, 2012.
In 2013, Slaughter played the role of an Ohio State Fair Security Guard named Ben in the crime thriller Parker along with Jason Statham and Jennifer Lopez.[5] The film was directed by Taylor Hackford and released on January 25, 2013, by FilmDistrict.[8] Later he played the role of Trevor 'The Fed' in the thriller The East opposite Brit Marling, Alexander Skarsgård, and Elliot Page.[7] The film was directed by Zal Batmanglij and released domestically on May 31, 2013, by Fox Searchlight Pictures.[9]
In 2014, Slaughter played a role as a Pool Cleaner in the biopic Get On Up, starring Chadwick Boseman and Nelsan Ellis.[7] And he also played a small role of the Hip Sports Reporter in the football drama When the Game Stands Tall, starring Jim Caviezel and Laura Dern.[7] Later the same year he appeared as a guest in the FX's horror series American Horror Story.[10]
In 2015, Slaughter played the role of a Passing Thief in the heist comedy Focus along with Will Smith and Margot Robbie.[10] The film was released by Warner Bros. on February 27, 2015.[11] He also appeared in the SundanceTV's drama series The Red Road.[10]
Slaughter played the role of Agent Murphy in the 2016 live-action superhero film Max Steel, based on the Mattel's toy of same name.[7] Stewart Hendler directed the film, which was released in 2015 by Open Road Films.
Slaughter played Squidward in the comedy Daddy's Home, along with Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg.[10] Sean Anders directed the film, which was released on December 25, 2015, by Paramount Pictures.[12] Slaughter also had supporting roles in the 2015 films American Ultra and The Big Short.[5] He played an NSA staffer in the science fiction film Midnight Special, starring Michael Shannon, Joel Edgerton, and Kirsten Dunst.[7][5] Jeff Nichols directed the film, released on March 18, 2016, by Warner Bros.[13]
Slaughter played Josiah in the western film The Magnificent Seven, starring Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt and Ethan Hawke.[5] The film was directed by Antoine Fuqua, and was released on September 23, 2016, by Columbia Pictures.[14] He also had a small role in 2017's Geostorm.
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Blood Feast 2: All U Can Eat | Best Man | Uncredited |
| Happy Here and Now | Napoleon Bonaparte | ||
| 2006 | Stay Alive | Rex | |
| Click | Newman Employee | Uncredited | |
| The Last Time | Intern | ||
| 2008 | Deal | Announcer | |
| 2009 | 12 Rounds | Technician | |
| The Final Destination | Frankie | Uncredited | |
| The Open Road | Rental Car Employee | ||
| Welcome to Academia | Sweater Boy #2 | ||
| Spring Break '83 | Joe Francis | ||
| 2011 | The Chaperone | Father | |
| 51 | Dr. Haven | ||
| Love, Wedding, Marriage | Actor | Voice, uncredited | |
| Colombiana | Ryan | ||
| Storm War | Richie | ||
| Snatched | Biff Baxter | ||
| 2012 | Battleship | BIP Technician | |
| The Philly Kid | TV Announcer #1 | ||
| The Campaign | Dermot | ||
| 2013 | Parker | Ohio State Fair Security Guard Ben | |
| The East | Trevor 'The Fed' | ||
| Shadow People | TV Anchor | ||
| Robosapien: Rebooted | James | ||
| White Rabbit | Dr. Clayton | ||
| Homefront | DEA Agent #2 | ||
| 2014 | The Lookalike | Bubbly Birthday Dude | |
| Get On Up | Pool Cleaner | ||
| When the Game Stands Tall | Hip Sports Reporter | ||
| 2015 | Zipper | Sam's Aide | |
| Demonic | EMT Wayne | ||
| Focus | Passing Thief | ||
| Kidnapping Freddy Heineken | Junior Officer | ||
| The Livingston Gardener | Manny Guerrera | ||
| Return to Sender | Kevin | ||
| American Ultra | Staff Sgt. Harris | Uncredited | |
| Trumbo | D.C. Reporter | ||
| The Big Short | Real Estate Agent | ||
| Daddy's Home | Instigator Dad | ||
| Laundry Day | Bart | ||
| 2016 | Midnight Special | NSA Staffer | |
| Cold Moon | Dr. Everage | ||
| Bad Moms | Veterinarian | ||
| The Magnificent Seven | Josiah | ||
| Max Steel | Agent Murphy | ||
| Jack Reacher: Never Go Back | Parasource Aide | ||
| 2017 | Happy Death Day | Winter | |
| Geostorm | Karl Dright | ||
| Laundry Day | Bart | ||
| 2018 | Billionaire Boys Club | Loan Officer | |
| 2019 | Eat, Brains, Love | Yuppy Taligater Dick | |
| The Highwaymen | Reporter #1 | ||
| Bayou Tales | Pvt. Chauvin | ||
| Richard Jewell | Tim Barker | ||
| 2020 | Holidate | Barry | |
| Bill & Ted Face the Music | Young Bill | ||
| 2021 | One Month Out | Dr. Ryan | |
| The Ravine | Kevin Turner | ||
| The Card Counter | Lackey #1 | ||
| Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon | Officer Matthews | ||
| 2022 | Where the Crawdads Sing | Social Services Officer | |
| The Estate | Lawyer | ||
| 2023 | We Have a Ghost | Reporter #2 | |
| Last Flamingo of the Red Summer Sunset | Thomas | ||
| The Burial | Robert Sperry | ||
| The Passenger | Hardy | ||
| Big George Foreman | Kurt Gaines | ||
| 2024 | Adam the First | The Bounty Hunter | |
| Nickel Boys | Dr. Cooke |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Growing Pains: Return of the Seavers | Costco Clerk | Television film |
| 2006 | The Year Without a Santa Claus | Nerd Elf | Television film |
| 2007 | The Staircase Murders | Dr. James Adams | Television film |
| 2009 | Drop Dead Diva | Oscar Gilbert | Episode: "Second Chances" |
| Wolvesbayne | Felix | Television film | |
| 2010 | Beauty & the Briefcase | Accountant | Television film |
| Revenge of the Bridesmaids | Gary | Television film | |
| Cigarettes et bas nylons | G.I. Weiss | Television film | |
| The Gates | Mr. Pollack | Episode: "Pilot" | |
| 2010–2011 | Treme | Actor | 7 episodes |
| 2011 | Things We Do for Love | Thomas | Episode: "Movin In" |
| 2012 | Breakout Kings | Storage Unit Manager | Episode: "I Smell Emmy" |
| 2013 | Nashville | Tabloid Reporter | Episode: "Tomorrow Never Comes" |
| Remember Sunday | Jim | Television film | |
| Anna Nicole | Producer #1 | Television film | |
| 2014 | American Horror Story | Lavender Male | Episode: "Massacres and Matinees" |
| 2015 | The Red Road | Meyers / Myers | 2 episodes |
| Zoo | Nicholas Bradshaw | 2 episodes | |
| 2016 | Arceneaux: Melpomene's Song | Wilton Lowe | Television film |
| 2017 | Salem | Refugee Thief | Episode: "The Man Who Was Thursday" |
| 2018 | Cloak & Dagger | Vance Caruthers | Episode: "Princeton Offense" |
| The Purge | Lee | Episode: "Take What's Yours" | |
| The First | Vista lawyer | 2 episodes | |
| 2019 | Patsy & Loretta | Randy Hughes | Television film |
| Queen Sugar | Mark Criegar | Episode: "Pleasure Is Black" | |
| Mindhunter | Charles Sanders | Episode #2.8 | |
| Hot Date | Grant | 3 episodes | |
| On Becoming a God in Central Florida | Kissinger Haight | 5 episodes | |
| 2021–2022 | Secrets of Sulphur Springs | Officer Stevens | 4 episodes |
| 2022 | Women of the Movement | Daily News Reporter #2 | Episode: "The Last Word" |
| The Thing About Pam | Scott | Episode: "She's a Loving Daughter" | |
| Mike | Announcer #1 | Episode: "Monster" | |
| The Winchesters | Demon Jack | Episode: "You're Lost Little Girl" | |
| 2023 | Mayfair Witches | Dr. Vernon Lamb | 2 episodes |
| Twisted Metal | Kerwin | Episode: "DRVTHRU" |
References
[edit]- ^ says, Eileen Shea (September 7, 2022). "Mysterious Circumstance: The Death of Meriwether Lewis Featured, Reviews Film Threat". Retrieved November 22, 2023.
- ^ "Mississippi-based film depicting life, death of Meriwether Lewis to premiere this weekend". Yahoo News. September 9, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
- ^ writer, Leslie Cardé | Contributing (March 30, 2023). "A man of many faces, character actor Billy Slaughter stays busy, stays in New Orleans". NOLA.com. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
- ^ a b "Max Steel adds Billy Slaughter to cast". wilmywoodnc.com. Retrieved August 14, 2015.[dead link]
- ^ a b c d e Ford, Rebecca (June 8, 2015). "'The Magnificent Seven' Adds 'Focus' Actor Billy Slaughter (Exclusive)". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
- ^ "Colombiana (2011)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f Ford, Rebecca (May 5, 2014). "Live-Action 'Max Steel' Adaptation Adds 'Get on Up' Actor". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
- ^ "Parker (2013)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
- ^ "The East (2013)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
- ^ a b c d Kroll, Justin (February 23, 2015). "'Focus' Actor Billy Slaughter Joins Will Ferrell in 'Daddy's Home'". Variety. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
- ^ Evry, Max (January 29, 2015). "IMAX to Release Focus, Starring Will Smith and Margot Robbie". Coming Soon. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
- ^ Cunningham, Todd (June 3, 2015). "Mark Wahlberg-Will Ferrell Comedy 'Daddy's Home' Gets Holiday Release". TheWrap. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
- ^ "Jeff Nichols' 'Midnight Special' Pushed Into 2016". Deadline Hollywood. July 28, 2015. Archived from the original on July 29, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
- ^ "Sony Pictures Dates 16 Films Through 2019!". Coming Soon. August 5, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
External links
[edit]Billy Slaughter
View on GrokipediaEarly life and education
Upbringing in New Orleans
Billy Slaughter, born William H. Slaughter on June 3, 1980, in New Orleans, Louisiana, grew up in a family deeply rooted in the city's cultural fabric.[3] His father, William Slaughter III, was a lifelong New Orleans resident who passed away from cancer in 2020 after a battle lasting over four years, while his mother, Sheila Rose Bendix Slaughter, supported the family alongside siblings including a sister who attended the local Mount Carmel Academy.[4] As a native of New Orleans, often dubbed "Hollywood South" for its burgeoning film industry, Slaughter was immersed from an early age in the vibrant Creole and jazz influences that permeate the region's arts scene, fostering an environment conducive to creative pursuits.[3] During his formative years, Slaughter's interest in entertainment began to emerge through family and community ties, shaped by the dynamic social life of New Orleans. His family's involvement in local institutions highlighted the close-knit nature of Crescent City households, where traditions like Mardi Gras and neighborhood gatherings provided early exposure to performance and storytelling. These elements, combined with the city's reputation as a hub for artistic expression, subtly influenced his budding passion for acting, though specific childhood hobbies beyond this cultural backdrop remain less documented. Slaughter attended Jesuit High School in New Orleans, an all-boys Catholic institution known for its rigorous academics and extracurriculars. It was during his time there, over two decades ago, that he first ignited his acting passion by participating in school productions and shows at Mount Carmel Academy, the nearby girls' school his sister attended, marking his initial foray into local theater. These experiences in high school theater laid the groundwork for his future career, bridging his New Orleans roots to more formal training. Following high school, he transitioned to the University of New Orleans for further education in the performing arts.[5]Academic background and training
Slaughter earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Drama and Communications from the University of New Orleans in 2002, graduating cum laude and ranking first in his drama program.[6] His studies at the university, rooted in the vibrant cultural scene of New Orleans, laid the groundwork for his professional development in acting.[5] To refine his classical acting skills, Slaughter trained at the British American Drama Academy (BADA) in England, an institution known for its rigorous programs.[1] This international experience emphasized Shakespearean and classical techniques, enhancing his versatility as a performer.[6] Early in his academic journey, Slaughter gained notable recognition in New Orleans theater circles, becoming the youngest acting instructor in the city and the youngest recipient of the Marquee Award for Lead Actor in a Drama for his role in Equus.[7] These accolades highlighted his emerging talent and commitment to the craft during his formative years.Career
Theater beginnings and early roles
Billy Slaughter's professional theater career began in New Orleans shortly after his graduation from the University of New Orleans with a degree in Drama and Communications. He quickly established himself in the local scene, performing in various productions at venues like Le Petit Théâtre du Vieux Carré. Notable among his early roles was that of Alan Strang in Peter Shaffer's Equus, a psychologically intense drama about a troubled young man obsessed with horses. Slaughter's portrayal earned him the Marquee Award for Lead Actor in a Drama, making him the youngest recipient of this honor from the New Orleans theater community.[3][2][8] In addition to his stage performances, Slaughter contributed to New Orleans theater as an acting instructor, becoming the youngest professional in that role at the time. He also received a Marquee Award nomination for Lead Actor in a Drama for his work in a production of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, where he alternated between the roles of Romeo and Mercutio while co-producing the show. These experiences honed his skills in classical and contemporary theater, building a reputation as a versatile young talent in the city's vibrant arts scene.[3][2] Slaughter's transition from stage to screen opportunities accelerated in 2002 when he served as a stand-in for Dustin Hoffman during the filming of Runaway Jury in New Orleans. Impressed by Slaughter's professionalism, Hoffman personally invited him to relocate to Los Angeles. From 2002 to 2005, Slaughter worked as Hoffman's stand-in on multiple projects, marking his entry into Hollywood while maintaining ties to his theater roots.[5][9][7]Film and television highlights
Billy Slaughter's transition to screen acting marked a significant progression in his career, beginning with breakthrough roles in major films during the early 2010s. In 2011, he portrayed Ryan, a supporting character in the action thriller Colombiana, directed by Olivier Megaton, where he contributed to the film's ensemble alongside Zoe Saldana. This role helped establish his presence in Hollywood productions. The following year, Slaughter played Dermot in the political satire The Campaign, directed by Jay Roach, sharing the screen with Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis in a comedic take on American elections.[10][11] Slaughter continued to build momentum with high-profile collaborations in the mid-2010s. He appeared as a real estate agent in Adam McKay's Oscar-winning financial drama The Big Short (2015), part of an all-star cast including Christian Bale and Steve Carell that critiqued the 2008 housing crisis. In 2016, he took on the role of Josiah in Antoine Fuqua's Western remake The Magnificent Seven, working alongside Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt in a project that grossed over $162 million worldwide and highlighted his versatility in ensemble action roles.[12][13] On television, Slaughter has delivered memorable supporting performances in acclaimed series. He guest-starred as Charles Sanders in season two of Netflix's Mindhunter (2019), directed by David Fincher, adding depth to the show's exploration of criminal psychology. In Marvel's Cloak & Dagger (2018), he played Caruthers, supporting the young leads in the superhero drama. Slaughter portrayed Dr. Vernon Lamb in AMC's Interview with the Vampire spin-off Mayfair Witches (2023), a recurring role that showcased his ability to embody authoritative figures in supernatural narratives. More recently, he appeared as Kerwin in Peacock's video game adaptation Twisted Metal (2023), contributing to the series' blend of action and humor.[11][14] Slaughter's recent film work reflects his ongoing commitment to diverse genres. In 2024, he played Dr. Cooke in RaMell Ross's drama Nickel Boys, an adaptation of Colson Whitehead's novel that premiered at the Telluride Film Festival and earned critical praise for its unflinching look at systemic abuse. He appeared in the 2025 horror film Bone Face and is set to appear in the thriller short Winks, continuing his streak of genre-spanning projects.[15][16][17]Producing ventures
Billy Slaughter founded Panta Rei Productions, an independent film company based in New Orleans, where he serves as president and leads development efforts in film and television.[18] The company has focused on producing content that highlights Southern narratives and genre storytelling, leveraging Slaughter's experience in the industry to support emerging projects.[19] In 2017, Slaughter executive produced the New Orleans-set crime thriller Dark Meridian, in which he also starred as a lead detective entangled in a web of corruption and revenge; his performance earned a Best Actor nomination at the Action on Film International Film Festival.[20][2] He expanded his producing role with Utility (2018), a feature he wrote, executive produced, and starred in under Panta Rei Productions, exploring themes of urban survival and human resilience.[21] Slaughter's involvement extended to the 2022 historical mystery Mysterious Circumstance: The Death of Meriwether Lewis, where he portrayed ornithologist Alexander Wilson investigating the explorer's enigmatic death; the film earned Best Picture at the Los Angeles Film Awards.[22] As of 2025, Panta Rei Productions maintains an active development slate, including collaborations with major studios such as Disney, Netflix, Marvel, and Showtime, positioning Slaughter at the forefront of hybrid independent and mainstream content creation.[1]Filmography
Film
Billy Slaughter's selected film roles, drawn from his extensive career in over 100 feature films, are listed below in chronological order. This focuses on key credits including his debut and major releases.[1]| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Happy Here and Now | Napoleon Bonaparte |
| 2012 | The Campaign | Dermot |
| 2015 | Focus | Passing Thief |
| 2015 | The Big Short | Real Estate Agent |
| 2016 | The Magnificent Seven | Josiah |
| 2019 | Richard Jewell | Tim Barker |
| 2021 | The Card Counter | Fiddle Player |
| 2024 | They Whisper | Charlie Hunt |
| 2024 | Nickel Boys | Dr. Cooke |
| 2024 | Adam the First | The Bounty Hunter |
| 2025 | Bone Face | Deputy Dave Scott |
