Laura Dern recalls how fiancé secretly left her for Angelina Jolie

In 1999, the unexpected union of Billy Bob Thornton and Angelina Jolie made waves, leaving many in disbelief. Their marriage, marked by a notable 20-year age gap, was further complicated by their prior commitments to other partners, adding a layer of intrigue to the story.

One of the most surprised parties was actress Laura Dern, who was engaged to Billy Bob at the time. Laura, who had been in a relationship with Billy Bob since 1997 following her split from Jeff Goldblum, was taken aback when news of his wedding to Angelina broke publicly. This sudden revelation threw a wrench into her plans, leaving her feeling blindsided and without closure.

The whirlwind romance between Billy Bob and Angelina began on the set of Pushing Tin in 1999 and culminated in a spontaneous Las Vegas wedding in May 2000, catching Laura off guard. Reflecting on the abrupt turn of events, Laura expressed her feelings of loss and confusion, recounting how she learned about the marriage while away working on a film.

Although Billy Bob never explicitly admitted fault, he did express regret in a 2001 interview, acknowledging the pain caused by his actions. Despite this, Laura found solace in the support of her friend Melissa Etheridge, who helped her navigate the aftermath of the breakup.

In the years following, everyone involved moved on with their lives. Laura eventually found happiness with Ben Harper and has since been linked to former NBA player Baron Davis. Meanwhile, Billy Bob distanced himself from dating celebrities and sought a quieter life, marrying a puppeteer in 2014.