Gil Birmingham (born July 13, 1953) is an American actor best known
for his portrayal of Billy Black in The Twilight Saga film series. He
is known in television for his role as Chief Thomas Rainwater in
Yellowstone and recurring roles as George Hunter in Banshee and Virgil
White in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.Birmingham was born in San Antonio,
Texas, to a Comanche family. His family moved frequently during his
childhood, due to his father's career in the military. He learned to
play the guitar at an early age and considers music his "first love".
After obtaining a Bachelor of Science from the University of Southern
California (he graduated from the School of Policy, Planning and
Development), he worked as a petrochemical engineer. He changed fields
and became an actor.In the early 1980s, a talent scout spotted
Birmingham at a local gym, where he had been bodybuilding and entering
bodybuilding contests. He was recruited for his first acting
experience, in a music video for Diana Ross, for her 1982 hit song
"Muscles".After appearing in Ross' music video, Birmingham began to
pursue acting as his primary career. He studied acting with Larry Moss
and Charles Conrad. He portrayed the character of Conan the Barbarian
in Universal Studios Hollywood's theme park attraction The Adventures
of Conan: A Sword and Sorcery Spectacular.
for his portrayal of Billy Black in The Twilight Saga film series. He
is known in television for his role as Chief Thomas Rainwater in
Yellowstone and recurring roles as George Hunter in Banshee and Virgil
White in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.Birmingham was born in San Antonio,
Texas, to a Comanche family. His family moved frequently during his
childhood, due to his father's career in the military. He learned to
play the guitar at an early age and considers music his "first love".
After obtaining a Bachelor of Science from the University of Southern
California (he graduated from the School of Policy, Planning and
Development), he worked as a petrochemical engineer. He changed fields
and became an actor.In the early 1980s, a talent scout spotted
Birmingham at a local gym, where he had been bodybuilding and entering
bodybuilding contests. He was recruited for his first acting
experience, in a music video for Diana Ross, for her 1982 hit song
"Muscles".After appearing in Ross' music video, Birmingham began to
pursue acting as his primary career. He studied acting with Larry Moss
and Charles Conrad. He portrayed the character of Conan the Barbarian
in Universal Studios Hollywood's theme park attraction The Adventures
of Conan: A Sword and Sorcery Spectacular.
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