Known for movies

Short Info

Net Worth$35 million
Date Of BirthNovember 30, 1955
Died30 November 1955
MarkElvis-like lip curl when singing
FactFebruary 1990: Survived a serious motorcycle accident. A steel rod was surgically inserted into his right leg.


Billy Idol is an English musician, singer, songwriter, and actor. He first achieved fame in the 1970s as a member of the punk rock band Generation X. After leaving the band, he embarked on a solo career that led to international recognition and made him one of the most recognizable faces in rock music. His debut album, Billy Idol (1982), was a commercial success and spawned the hit singles “White Wedding” and “Rebel Yell”. These albums established him as a major force in the 1980s music scene. He followed up with a string of successful albums, including Vital Idol (1985), Whiplash Smile (1986), Charmed Life (1990), and Cyberpunk (1993).

Idol’s personal life has been plagued by drug addiction and legal troubles. He has been married and divorced twice and has four children. In 2005, he underwent successful surgery to treat a potentially fatal heart condition.

Billy Idol was born William Michael Albert Broad on November 30, 1955, in Stanmore, Middlesex, England. His father, Bill, was a welder, and his mother, Joan, was a dancer. He has two younger sisters, Jane and Louise. Idol’s parents divorced when he was two years old, and he was raised by his mother in the London suburb of Bromley.

He attended Darrick Wood Secondary School in Orpington, Kent, where he showed an early interest in music. He played guitar in a number of local bands before forming Generation X in 1976. The band’s 1977 self-titled debut album was a critical and commercial success, spawning the hit single “Ready Steady Go”.

Generation X disbanded in 1981, and Idol embarked on a solo career. His 1982 eponymous debut album was a huge success, reaching number six on the UK Albums Chart and spawning the hit singles “White Wedding” and “Rebel Yell”. The album was certified platinum in the United States.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cij5U_gOgX3/

Idol’s follow-up albums, Vital Idol (1985) and Whiplash Smile (1986), were also commercial successes. The latter album included the hit singles “To Be a Lover” and “Don’t Need a Gun”. His fourth album, Charmed Life (1990), was another critical and commercial success, reaching number two on the UK Albums Chart and spawning the hit single “Cradle of Love”.

Idol’s fifth album, Cyberpunk (1993), was a departure from his previous work, with a more industrial sound. The album was not as commercially successful as his previous albums, but it did spawn the hit single “Shock to the System”.

In recent years, Idol has continued to tour and release new music. He released his sixth studio album, Kings & Queens of the Underground, in 2014. The album peaked at number nine on the UK Albums Chart and included the singles “Can’t Break Me Down” and “Save Me Now”. His seventh studio album, Billy Idol (2020), is scheduled for release on February 14, 2020.

Idol has been married twice. His first marriage was to Perri Lister in 1985. The couple had two children together before divorcing in 2004. His second marriage was to model Katie Price in 2015. The couple divorced in 2017. He has two children from his first marriage and one from his second marriage.

Idol has had a number of high-profile relationships over the years. He dated singer Deborah Harry for several years in the 1980s. He also had a long-term relationship with actress Perri Lister, with whom he has two children.

Idol has had a number of health scares in recent years. In 2005, he underwent successful surgery to treat a potentially fatal heart condition. In 2012, he suffered a minor stroke while on tour in Australia.

Idol is 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 meters) tall and has blue eyes and blond hair.

General Info

Full NameBilly Idol
Net Worth$35 million
Date Of BirthNovember 30, 1955
Died30 November 1955
Height1.75 m
ProfessionSinger-songwriter, Actor, Songwriter, White Wedding - Part 1, Eyes Without a Face, Dancing with Myself, Las Vegas, NV, United States
EducationUniversity of Sussex, Seahaven Academy, Ravensbourne School, Bromley, White Wedding - Part 1, Eyes Without a Face, Dancing with Myself, Las Vegas, NV, United States
NationalityBritish

Family

ChildrenWillem Wolf Broad, Bonnie Blue, White Wedding - Part 1, Eyes Without a Face, Dancing with Myself, Las Vegas, NV, United States
ParentsBill Broad, Joan Broad, White Wedding - Part 1, Eyes Without a Face, Dancing with Myself, Las Vegas, NV, United States
SiblingsJane Broad
PartnerLinda Mathis, Linda Mathis

Accomplishments

AwardsMTV Video Music Award for Best Video from a Film
Music GroupsGeneration X, Chelsea, Neurotic Outsiders, Las Vegas, NV, United States, White Wedding - Part 1, Eyes Without a Face, Dancing with Myself
NominationsMTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video, MTV Video Music Award for Best Visual Effects, MTV Video Music Award for Best Editing, Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance, MTV Video Music Award for Best Cinematography, MTV Video Music Award for Best Direction, MTV Video Music Award for Best...
MoviesLas Vegas, NV, United States, Tommy and Quadrophenia Live, Heavy Metal 2000, Mad Dog Time, The Doors, Cat Tale, Punk: The Early Years

Social profile links

Marks

#Marks / Signs
1Elvis-like lip curl when singing
2Spiked platinum-blonde hair

Quotes

#Quote
1It's like, what happened, I was always leading fashion, and then the grunge thing kind of came along. And because I've been so on top in the '80s you know, I, you know, what can I do? Suddenly go grunge?
2I'm not talking with an American accent. I haven't gone off and become Sammy Hagar.
3My hair used to be real long, and my parents were encouraged when I cut it. They thought I was going 'straight,' but I was just getting weirder - at least in their eyes. I was getting into the punk thing.
4Part of the punk attitude was that you should project your music through your whole body... show your personality as much as possible.
5My dad was one of the reasons I got into rock and roll, because I was learning the ropes of his business, which was selling powertools, and I was looking for a way out from under his heel. I was like, 'Where's the fun? Where's the glamour?'
6I rocked the cradle of love.
7The biggest misconception people have about me is that I'm stupid.
8There was a time when my whole life was in chaos, really, and I didn't help myself sort it out. But one day I came to my senses, and I think I was lucky because a lot of people don't.
9I'm really a singer, so I love songs and I love singing. I like rap music, but I didn't grow up freestyling.
10I'm not trying to hide from my past. I want to roll in it. Like a dog, rolling in feces, I'm rolling in the feces of my greatest hits - that's a bit of a wild way of looking at it, but I am a man, and we do like rolling in our own feces at times.
11I think love's exciting and happy, as well as being able to make you sad.
12If your world doesn't allow you to dream, move to one where you can.
13I don't think punk ever really dies, because punk rock attitude can never die.
14It doesn't matter about money; having it, not having it. Or having clothes, or not having them. You're still left alone with yourself in the end.
15I love it when someone insults me. That means that I don't have to be nice anymore.
16When I started out, everyone seemed to be adopting these names... Johnny Rotten, Sid Vicious. I wasn't really Rotten or Vicious or Nasty, so I wanted something a bit more funny - yet something that seemed real rock 'n' roll... something that acknowledged my ambition.
17I am quite a romantic person, really, and I should have put that into my music earlier, but I was probably denying it... I didn't want to be soft because I felt I had to be so hard to get people to believe in me.
18I don't care what stage or what reason, as long as we're playing.
19The world goes on, you go on and you change. You want to show the fans those changes, and you want to be able to verbalize them.
20They wouldn't play my records on American radio because I had spiky hair. They said, 'Punk rock doesn't sell advertising, it won't make any money.'
21Christ was a punk rocker.
22Great sex is great, but bad sex is like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
23Rock isn't art, it's the way ordinary people talk.

Facts

#Fact
1Winter 1990-1991: Made the cover of "In Fashion" magazine along with Sherilyn Fenn.
2Ranked #55 on VH1's 100 Sexiest Artists.
3His role in The Doors (1991) was originally much larger. It was reduced after his motorcycle accident in 1990.
4His name is from a bad paper he made in school. In the margin his teacher had written a short note to his parents: "Billy is Idle". Billy took that as his name, but changed it to "Idol", so not to be confused with actor Eric Idle.
5For the filming of the clip "Cradle of Love", he was paralysed from the waist down (due to his motorcycle accident) so he was filmed from the torso and up.
6Is a vegetarian.
7Dropped out of the University of Sussex after 1 year.
8Was in The Bromley Contingent with Susan Dallion, later of Siouxsie and the Banshees, and John Simon Richie, later known as Sid Vicious of The Sex Pistols.
91976: Chose his surname.
10During the making of the "Eyes Without A Face" video, he was temporarily blinded when the heat from studio lights fused his contact lenses.
11Nominated for a Grammy for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance for the albums "Whiplash Smile" and "Rebel Yell."
12Had a band called Generation X. With them, he cut "Dancing With Myself" which launched his solo career.
13February 1990: Survived a serious motorcycle accident. A steel rod was surgically inserted into his right leg.
141992: Pleaded guilty to assault and battery charges after punching companion Amber Nevel outside a West Hollywood restaurant. He paid $2,700 in fines and was required to appear in a series of anti-drug commercials.
151994: Treated in a Los Angeles hospital after an apparent drug overdose.
16When Billy was 3, his father moved the family to Long Island, NY, to "find the American dream," as Billy puts it. When the family moved back to the UK in 1962, they lived above a pub called The Running Horses in Dorking, Surrey.
17Was kicked out of the Boy Scouts at age 10 for making out with a girl
181980-89: Lived with Perri Lister. They had a son, Willem Wolf Broad (b. 15 June 1988).
19Known for his white spiky hair and sneer.

Pictures

Movies

Soundtrack

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas2004Video Game performer: "White Wedding" / writer: "White Wedding"
Mean Girls2004"Dancing with Myself"
The SimpsonsTV Series performer - 1 episode, 2004 writer - 1 episode, 2004
Hinter Gittern - Der Frauenknast2002TV Series performer - 1 episode
Riding in Cars with Boys2001performer: "Rebel Yell" / writer: "Rebel Yell"
Third WatchTV Series performer - 1 episode, 2000 writer - 1 episode, 2000
Coyote Ugly2000performer: "Rebel Yell" / writer: "Rebel Yell"
Heavy Metal 20002000performer: "Buried Alive" / writer: "Buried Alive" - as Idol
Kinder der Nacht2000Video writer: "White Wedding"
Pushing Tin1999performer: "Dancing with Myself" / writer: "Dancing with Myself"
NewsRadio1999TV Series writer - 1 episode
Jack Frost1998performer: "Hot in the City" / writer: "Hot in the City"
SLC Punk!1998writer: "Kiss Me Deadly"
The Wedding Singer1998performer: "White Wedding" / writer: "White Wedding"
Gia1998TV Movie performer: "Dancing With Myself" / writer: "Dancing With Myself" - as William A. Broad
Mystery Science Theater 30001997TV Series writer - 2 episodes
Alle haben geschwiegen1996TV Movie performer: "Sweet Sixteen" / writer: "Sweet Sixteen"
Striptease1996performer: "Mony Mony"
CybillTV Series performer - 1 episode, 1996 writer - 1 episode, 1996
Empire Records1995writer: "Ready, Steady, Go"
Speed1994performer: "Speed" / producer: "Speed" / writer: "Speed"
True Romance1993performer: "White Wedding" / writer: "White Wedding"
Stars in Their Eyes1993TV Series writer - 1 episode
Beavis and Butt-Head1993TV Series performer - 1 episode
Palm Harbor Vice1991performer: "L.A. Woman"
Look Who's Talking Too1990performer: "Rebel Yell" / writer: "Rebel Yell"
The Adventures of Ford Fairlane1990performer: "Cradle of Love" / writer: "Cradle of Love"
Days of Thunder1990writer: "The Last Note of Freedom"
Captain N: The Game MasterTV Series performer - 1 episode, 1989 writer - 1 episode, 1989
Booker1989TV Series performer: "Hot in the City"
L.A. Takedown1989TV Movie performer: "L.A. WOMAN"
Dream Baby1989TV Movie writer: "Sweet Sixteen" - uncredited
A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master1988performer: "Fatal Charm" / writer: "Fatal Charm" - as B. Idol
Derrick1987-1988TV Series performer - 2 episodes
Big1988performer: "Rebel Yell", "Hot in the City" / writer: "Rebel Yell", "Hot in the City"
D.O.A.1988performer: "REBEL YELL" / writer: "REBEL YELL"
Miami ViceTV Series performer - 3 episodes, 1987 - 1988 writer - 1 episode, 1987
Hot Child in the City1987performer: "Flesh For Fantasy", "Eyes Without A Face" / writer: "Flesh For Fantasy", "Eyes Without A Face"
Can't Buy Me Love1987performer: "Dancin' with Myself" / writer: "Dancin' with Myself"
Stingray1987TV Series 1 episode
Some Kind of Wonderful1987performer: "Catch My Fall" / writer: "Catch My Fall"
The Wraith1986"REBEL YELL" / performer: "REBEL YELL"
Car Trouble1986performer: "Mony Mony"
LovejoyTV Series performer - 1 episode, 1986 writer - 1 episode, 1986
Demons1985performer: "White Wedding" / writer: "White Wedding"
Top of the PopsTV Series writer - 8 episodes, 1977 - 1985 performer - 1 episode, 1985
The Legend of Billie Jean1985performer: "Rebel Yell"
Knight Rider1984TV Series writer - 1 episode
The Wild Life1984performer: "DO NOT STAND IN THE SHADOWS" / writer: "DO NOT STAND IN THE SHADOWS"
Sixteen Candles1984performer: "Rebel Yell" / writer: "Rebel Yell"
Billy Idol: Rebel Yell1984Video short performer: "Rebel Yell" / writer: "Rebel Yell"
Square PegsTV Series performer - 1 episode, 1983 writer - 1 episode, 1983
Remembrance1982writer: "The Untouchables"
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon2016TV Series writer - 1 episode
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 22016writer: "White Wedding"
MollyTV Mini-Series performer - 1 episode, 2016 writer - 1 episode, 2016
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip2015performer: "Mony Mony"
Beer and Board Games2015TV Series documentary writer - 1 episode
One Hit WonderlandTV Series documentary performer - 1 episode, 2015 writer - 1 episode, 2015
Le mirage2015performer: "Eyes Without A Face" / writer: "Eyes Without A Face"
The Voice2015TV Series writer - 1 episode
Britain's Got More TalentTV Series performer - 1 episode, 2015 writer - 1 episode, 2015
Daily Ukulele2014TV Series short writer - 1 episode
Walking on Sunshine2014writer: "White Wedding"
Pretty Little Liars2014TV Series writer - 1 episode
Top of the Pops: The Story of 19792014TV Movie documentary writer: "King Rocker"
Grown Ups 22013writer: "Dancing With Myself"
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno2010-2013TV Series writer - 20 episodes
Saturday Night Live2013TV Series writer - 1 episode
VH1 Divas 20122012TV Movie writer: "Rebel Yell"
Best Man Down2012performer: "Mony Mony"
EastEndersTV Series performer - 1 episode, 2012 writer - 1 episode, 2012
Fringe2012TV Series writer - 1 episode
Dancing with the Stars2012TV Series writer - 1 episode
Metal Evolution2011TV Series documentary writer - 1 episode
New GirlTV Series performer - 1 episode, 2011 writer - 1 episode, 2011
Moneyball2011performer: "Mony Mony"
NHL 122011Video Game performer: "Mony Mony"
Parks and RecreationTV Series performer - 1 episode, 2011 writer - 1 episode, 2011
Dancing with the Stars2010TV Series writer - 1 episode
20 to 1TV Series documentary performer - 2 episodes, 2010 writer - 2 episodes, 2010
Chuck2010TV Series performer - 1 episode
Guitar Hero: Van Halen2009Video Game performer: "White Wedding" / writer: "White Wedding"
Glee2009TV Series writer - 1 episode
CastleTV Series performer - 1 episode, 2009 writer - 1 episode, 2009
The Men Who Stare at Goats2009writer: "Dancing with Myself"
Guitar Hero 52009Video Game performer: "Dancing with Myself" / writer: "Dancing with Myself"
SoundstageTV Series documentary performer - 1 episode, 2009 writer - 1 episode, 2009
Gossip GirlTV Series performer - 1 episode, 2009 writer - 1 episode, 2009
I Love You, Man2009writer: "Dancing with Myself"
SkinsTV Series performer - 1 episode, 2009 writer - 1 episode, 2009
100 Greatest Hard Rock Songs2008TV Movie performer: "Rebel Yell" / writer: "Rebel Yell"
Guitar Hero World Tour2008Video Game performer: "Rebel Yell" / writer: "Rebel Yell"
Nip/Tuck2008TV Series performer - 1 episode
Midnight Heat2007performer: "White Wedding" / writer: "White Wedding"
Mama's Boy2007writer: "Ready steady Go"
The Singing Bee2007TV Series writer - 1 episode
Brooklyn Rules2007performer: "Dancing With Myself" / writer: "Dancing With Myself"
Grey's Anatomy2007TV Series writer - 1 episode
Flushed Away2006performer: "Dancing with Myself" / writer: "Dancing with Myself"
Australian Idol2006TV Series writer - 1 episode
Canadian Idol2006TV Series writer - 1 episode
The Lather Effect2006performer: "Dancing With Myself" / writer: "Dancing With Myself" - as W. Broad
Idol - Jakten på en superstjerne2006TV Series writer - 1 episode
Cold CaseTV Series performer - 3 episodes, 2004 - 2006 writer - 1 episode, 2004
Everybody Hates ChrisTV Series performer - 1 episode, 2006 writer - 1 episode, 2006
My Name Is EarlTV Series performer - 1 episode, 2005 writer - 1 episode, 2005
I Love the 80's 3-D2005TV Series documentary performer - 1 episode
Charmed2005TV Series 1 episode
Slovensko hladá SuperStar2005TV Series writer - 1 episode
The Upside of Anger2005lyrics: "Rebel Yell" / music: "Rebel Yell" / performer: "Rebel Yell"
Blackpool2004TV Series 1 episode

Music Department

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Booker1989-1990TV Series composer - 22 episodes
Demons1985composer: additional music

Actor

TitleYearStatusCharacter
IHeart80s Party2016TV MoviePerformer
Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja2013TV SeriesSpikey Hair Bot
Derek Sherinian Ft. Billy Idol and Slash: In the Summertime2007Video shortBilly Idol
Horrible Histories2002TV SeriesMad Man Mulligan
Heavy Metal 20002000Odin (voice)
The Wedding Singer1998Billy Idol
Mad Dog Time1996Lee Turner
Shock to the System1993VideoThe Metal Man
U1992TV Series
The Doors1991Cat
Billy Idol: Rebel Yell1984Video short

Writer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Billy Idol: Shock to the System1993Short

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Dare to Be Different2017Documentary post-productionHimself - singer / songwriter
DreadtownDocumentary post-productionHimself
Soundbreaking: Stories from the Cutting Edge of Recorded Music2016TV Series documentaryHimself
The Damned: Don't You Wish That We Were Dead2015Documentary
Today2015TV SeriesHimself - Guest
NHL on NBC2015TV SeriesHimself - Performer
Loose Women2014TV SeriesHimself
Jimmy Kimmel Live!2005-2014TV SeriesHimself / Himself - Musical Guest
The Talk2014TV SeriesHimself - Guest
Today2014TV SeriesHimself
CBS News Sunday Morning2014TV Series documentaryHimself - Guest
Obey the Artist2014Documentary shortHimself
Good Morning America Weekend Edition2012TV SeriesHimself
Punk Britannia2012TV Series documentaryHimself
How the Brits Rocked America2012TV Mini-Series documentaryHimself
Revolutions2011Documentary
Bridge School News2011TV SeriesHimself
Glenn Martin DDS2010TV SeriesHimself
EcoDivas TV2009TV SeriesHimself
Soundstage2009TV Series documentaryHimself
Entertainment Tonight2008TV SeriesHimself
VH1 Rock Honors2008TV MovieHimself
Biography2008TV Series documentaryHimself
Punk's Not Dead2007DocumentaryHimself - Generation X
Fashion Rocks2005TV MovieHimself
HIM: The Making of Dark Light2005TV MovieHimself
Tommy and Quadrophenia Live: The Who2005Video documentaryThe Ace Face Cousin Kevin
Viva la Bam2005TV SeriesHimself
TV total2005TV SeriesHimself
Late Night with Conan O'Brien2005TV SeriesHimself
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno1993-2005TV SeriesHimself
T42005TV SeriesHimself
Orange Playlist2005TV SeriesHimself
The Friday Night Project2005TV SeriesHimself
Tout le monde en parle2005TV SeriesHimself
40 Most Awesomely Bad Dirrty Songs... Ever2004TV Special documentaryHimself (Song "Cradle of Love") / Archive Footage
New Year's Rockin' Eve 20052004TV SpecialHimself
The 32nd Annual American Music Awards2004TV SpecialHimself
MTV Video Music Awards 20032003TV SpecialHimself
50 Sexiest Video Moments2003TV Movie documentaryHimself
Playboy: Inside the Playboy Mansion2002TV Movie documentaryHimself
MTV 20: Live & Almost Legal2001TV Movie documentaryHimself - Performer
VH1 Storytellers2001TV Series documentary
Late Show with David Letterman2001TV SeriesHimself
25 Years of Punk2001TV Movie documentaryHimself
Heavy Metal 2000: Voice Talent Featurette2000Video documentary shortHimself
VH-1 Where Are They Now?2000TV Series documentaryHimself
I Want My MTV1996VideoHimself
The Sunday Show1996TV SeriesHimself
Howard Stern1995TV SeriesHimself
Live at the Joint1995TV SpecialHimself
The 1993 Billboard Music Awards1993TV SpecialHimself (uncredited)
Billy Idol: More Vital Idol1993VideoHimself
The 35th Annual Grammy Awards1993TV SpecialHimself
Billy Idol: Heroin1993ShortHimself
Billy Idol: Shock to the System1993ShortHimself
MTV Video Music Awards 19911991TV SpecialHimself - Presenter
The 33rd Annual Grammy Awards1991TV SpecialHimself
Rock in Rio1991TV SeriesHimself
Hard 'N Heavy Volume 121991Video documentaryHimself
Rockopop1990TV SeriesHimself
The Word1990TV SeriesHimself
MTV Video Music Awards 19901990TV SpecialHimself - Presenter
Famous Last Words1990TV Series documentaryHimself
The Who Live, Featuring the Rock Opera Tommy1989TV Movie documentaryCousin Kevin
Wired1988TV SeriesHimself
The 29th Annual Grammy Awards1987TV SpecialHimself
Top of the Pops1977-1985TV SeriesHimself - Lead Singer: Generation X / Himself
MTV 1st Annual Video Music Awards1984TV SpecialHimself - Presenter
Late Night with David Letterman1984TV SeriesHimself
Musik Convoy1984TV SeriesHimself
New American Bandstand 19651982-1984TV SeriesHimself (music video) / Himself
Saturday Night Live1984TV SeriesHimself - Musical Guest
D.O.A.1980DocumentaryHimself - Generation X (uncredited)
The Punk Rock Movie from England1978DocumentaryHimself
Marc1977TV SeriesHimself - Musician

Archive Footage

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Entertainment Tonight2016TV SeriesHimself
Top of the Pops: The Story of 19792014TV Movie documentaryHimself - Generation X
Top of the Pops: The Story of 19772012TV Movie documentaryHimself (uncredited)
Video Killed the Radio Star2010TV Series documentaryHimself
Countdown Spectacular 22007TV MovieHimself
20 to 12006TV Series documentaryHimself
Retrosexual: The 80's2004TV Mini-Series documentaryHimself
Hey! Is Dee Dee Home?2002DocumentaryHimself
The Filth and the Fury2000DocumentaryHimself
Top of the Pops1979-1985TV SeriesHimself / Himself - Lead Singer: Generation X

Awards

Won Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
1991ASCAP AwardASCAP Film and Television Music AwardsMost Performed Songs from Motion PicturesThe Adventures of Ford Fairlane (1990)

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia

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