Billy Bob Thornton remained tight-lipped about his ex-wife Angelina Jolie’s divorce as he honoured actress Kathy Bates on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The actor, who was married to Angelina between 2000 and 2002, paid tribute to Kathy as she received a star at the famous landmark – but he left quickly afterwards, avoiding questions from waiting reporters.
Angelina filed for divorce from actor Brad Pitt on Monday, citing irreconcilable differences.
Speaking at the ceremony on Hollywood Boulevard, Billy Bob praised Oscar-winner Kathy for accepting “all the crazy people around her”.
“When the question is ‘how about Kathy Bates?’ The answer is always ‘of course’,” he said.
“She’s the type of actor who is not only loved by the public and the fans and the critics, but also actors know exactly how good she is and what she can do.
“As a friend, she never judges you and that’s one of the most important things you can have in a friend.
“She accepts all the crazy people around her for who they are. That’s one of the things I’ve always appreciated about her.
“I love her as a friend and as an artist. If I could be a woman I’d be Kathy Bates.”
Kathy, who won the best actress Academy Award for her performance in the 1990 film Misery, said the movie based on Stephen King’s novel changed her life.
“I’m one of the lucky 10% of actors who work regularly,” she said.
“People often say what we do is hard. I would say maintaining the concentration and the technique required to play a scene, despite the last minute chaos, is difficult.
“But for those 90% not getting to do what they love to do is truly hard. It is a struggle and a fight they wage every day, more often than not without success.
“I would like to share this moment with all of them.”
Kathy, who was also joined by actress Shirley MacLaine at the ceremony, received the 2,589th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
