Tony Bill

Gerard Anthony "Tony" Bill, born on August 23, 1940, is a distinguished American actor, producer, and director with an extensive career in the entertainment industry. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame in 1962, where he studied English and art, Bill first made his mark in the 1960s as a charming young actor. He gained early recognition for his role as Frank Sinatra's younger brother in the film "Come Blow Your Horn" (1963) and went on to appear in notable works such as "None But the Brave" (1965), "Shampoo" (1975), and "Pee-wee's Big Adventure" (1985).

Bill's most significant achievement as a producer came with the 1973 classic "The Sting," which he co-produced alongside Michael Phillips and Julia Phillips. This film not only became one of the highest-grossing movies of its time but also earned them the Academy Award for Best Picture.

Transitioning to directing in the 1980s, Bill made his debut with "My Bodyguard" (1980) and continued to direct films like "Six Weeks" (1982) and "Flyboys" (2006), the latter being notable for its pioneering use of digital cameras. His television work includes directing adaptations such as Truman Capote's "One Christmas."

In addition to his film work, he co-owned the well-known restaurant 72 Market Street in Venice, California, from 1984 to 2000. Bill authored "Movie Speak" in 2009, a book that explores the vernacular of film sets through anecdotes from his career. He is married to Helen Buck Bartlett, and together they have two daughters, Madeline and Daphne.