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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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

Stevie Wonder

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The musical genius behind hits like "Superstition" and "Isn't She Lovely," Stevie Wonder, was born Stevland Hardaway Judkins.

Blind from infancy, he was a child prodigy, signed to Motown Records at just 11 years old. They decided to rebrand him as "Little Stevie Wonder." Isn’t that how a legend gets made?

2

Muhammad Ali

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"The Greatest," Muhammad Ali, known for his legendary boxing career and his outspoken personality, was born Cassius Clay.

After converting to Islam, he refused to keep his birth name and rebranded himself as Muhammad Ali. He floated like a butterfly, stung like a bee, and certainly wasn't shy about making a statement!

3

Whoopi Goldberg

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The hilarious and outspoken Whoopi Goldberg, known for her roles in films like The Color Purple and Ghost , was called Caryn Elaine Johnson at birth.

If her name reminds you of a Whoopee Cushion, here’s where you learn that that was intentional. Her friends called her that –Whoopi Cushion– and she wanted it to be her stage name, but her mom convinced her to take herself more seriously and use one of her family surnames, Goldberg.

4

Lady Gaga

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The queen of pop, Lady Gaga, known for her outrageous fashion style and catchy hits like "Bad Romance" and "Born This Way," was born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta. Elegant, but still a mouthful when you are trying to become the next Madonna.

While designing her legendary persona, she was inspired by the Queen song "Radio Ga Ga," and she stuck with that name. It does fit her theatrical aesthetic much better than Stefani Germanotta, doesn't it?

5

Prince

Image: ROMBO

This one is less of a story than you might imagine —Prince’s first name was, indeed, Prince. The Purple One was born Prince Rogers Nelson, just like his father, a jazz musician who performed under the stage name "Prince Rogers." So, that name was taken.

He rose to fame as simply "Prince," although some remember him as "The Artist Formerly Known as Prince (TAFKAP)," which he established as his name after a dispute with Warner Bros Records.

6

Bob Dylan

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The voice of a generation, Bob Dylan, known for his poetic lyrics and iconic songs like "Blowin' in the Wind," was born Robert Allen Zimmerman.

Did he choose the name after Dylan Thomas? No, the musician eventually confessed he’d never read much of the poet. Toying around with his first surname, Allen, Bob had been trying to decide whether to call himself "Bob Allen" or "Bob Allyn," until he realized "Dylan" was, in his words, stronger.

7

Meg Ryan

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America's sweetheart, Meg Ryan, known for her roles in romantic comedies like Sleepless in Seattle and You've Got Mail , was born Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra.

When you have such a long name, you have to make some decisions. She first presented herself as "Margaret Hyra", but when registering for the Screen Actors Guild, Margaret became Meg, and her dad’s surname was replaced by the maiden name of her grandma, Ryan.

8

Demi Moore

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Actress Demi Moore was born Demetria Gene Guynes. She shortened her first name to Demi when she began her acting career and adopted the surname Moore from her first husband, Freddy Moore.

The Moores eventually separated, but Demi decided to carry the surname on throughout her career.

9

Brad Pitt

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Did you know that Brad Pitt might easily have been known as "Bill Pitt"? Or "Willy Pitt"? We surely prefer Brad!

Hollywood’s heartthrob was born William Bradley Pitt. Early in his career, he presented himself with his full name, but eventually, he dropped the "William." He went on to become a multi-awarded and beloved movie star and producer.

10

Winona Ryder

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The quirky and talented Winona Ryder, known for her roles in films like Beetlejuice and Girl, Interrupted , was born Winona Laura Horowitz.

Why did she choose "Ryder" for her movie credits? She says that she picked the name out of a Mitch Ryder record her dad loved. Seems whimsical, but remember: She was only a teenager when she rose to fame!

11

Emma Stone

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Academy Award-winning actress Emma Stone, known for her roles in films like La La Land and Easy A , was born Emily Jean Stone.

She would have signed up with her real name proudly, but when she went to register with the Screen Actors Guild, she found that Emily Stone was taken. She decided to go for the next best thing and name herself after her favorite Spice Girl, Emma Bunton.

1

Sleep routine

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Your body is a routine animal. If you eat at a certain time, you’ll probably feel hungry around that same time the next day. If you go to sleep at a certain hour, you’ll likely feel sleepy at that same hour the next day.

Use this to your advantage by sticking to a consistent sleep schedule , both for going to bed and for waking up. If you do this consistently, your body will embrace this routine, and it will start to come naturally.

2

Food and drinks

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Avoid going to bed shortly after a large meal. Your digestive system will stay active for a long period of time potentially keeping you awake until it finishes processing the food and drink you've consumed.

The same goes for alcohol: while it might make you feel drowsy at first, it can disrupt your sleep later in the night.

3

Create a good sleeping environment

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A dark, quiet, and cool bedroom makes for a good sleeping environment . Your senses will continue capturing and processing any light or sound present in your bedroom, which is why it is important to minimize these distractions as much as possible.

4

Avoid long naps

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This one is quite straightforward: your body only requires a certain amount of sleep , and if you use up a large portion of it during the day, you may find yourself staying awake longer at night. While a short, 20-minute nap during the day can help restore your energy, a longer rest period will subtract from your nighttime sleep.

5

Physical activity

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Regular physical activity and spending time outside every day are great ways to promote better sleep at night. However, it’s important to avoid physical exercise if you are too close to your bedtime to avoid overstimulation.

6

Avoid going to bed with worries

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Whatever worries you may have in your life, try to avoid thinking about them while you're trying to sleep. Stressful thoughts can delay sleep and create anxiety , leading to less-than-optimal rest. Instead, write down any issues you need to deal with and save them for the next day.

7

Light exposure

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Spending time in natural sunlight or bright light during the day can help keep your circadian rhythm healthy and, in turn, improve your daytime energy and enhance the quality and duration of your sleep at night.

In contrast, avoid exposure to screens for at least half an hour before going to bed. Nighttime light exposure can have the opposite effect from daytime exposure because it reduces your levels of melatonin, which helps you relax and get deep sleep.

8

No alcohol before bedtime

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As mentioned earlier, drinking alcohol before bedtime is not recommended . Alcohol can cause or worsen symptoms of sleep apnea, increase snoring, and disrupt normal sleep patterns. It also alters nighttime melatonin production, which plays a key role in regulating your body’s circadian rhythm.

9

A good bed and pillow

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Poor-quality bedding can lead to increased lower back pain , making it harder to sleep well. Firm and medium-firm mattresses are available at different price ranges and can be a good choice for comfort and to avoid back pain.

Pillows should not cause neck pain, either. Find a pillow that isn’t too high and offers comfort for your sleep style. It will make for a better rest, and your body will thank you in the morning.

10

No liquids right before bed

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There’s nothing wrong with being hydrated during your sleep time, but having to get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom is not great. If this happens repeatedly, it can negatively affect your sleep quality and daytime energy.

To minimize interruptions, try reducing your fluid intake in the last hour before bed . This can help lower the chances of waking up during the night.

11

Good sleeping temperature

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One way to guarantee uncomfortable sleep is a bedroom that’s either too cold or too hot . The ideal temperature can vary based on the individual, but most research suggests that sleeping in a cooler room—around 65 to 68 degrees—is optimal.

12

At least seven hours of sleep

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Each age group requires a different amount of sleep each night, but for most people, seven hours is the bare minimum to ensure proper rest. If you have a specific wake-up time, calculate a target bedtime that allows for at least seven hours of sleep . Give yourself extra time before bed to wind down and prepare for sleep whenever possible.