BILLY ZANE 'TITANIC CHANGED MY LIFE'

The heartthrob opens up about fame, fatherhood and his action-hero aspirations

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He’s notched up an impressive resume of movie roles during a career spanning 40 years. However, it was Billy Zane’s turn as the ultimate bad boy, Cal - the calculating fiance of Kate Winslet’s Rose - in the iconic blockbuster Titanic that ensured he is forever etched into our minds. And, despite almost three decades passing since the epic first hit cinemas, its popularity certainly hasn’t waned.

“I truly can’t believe it has been nearly 30 years since Titanic came out,” the actor tells Woman’s Day exclusively of the upcoming milestone. “And we're reminded every year how popular that film remains. Hubris, high stakes, human tragedy, man’s folly and arrogance... sadly they never grow old.”

AUSTRALIAN TIES

Titanic wasn't the American star's first villainous role on the high seas though. Billy got his big break alongside a young Nicole Kidman and acting heavyweight Sam Neill in the 1989 thriller Dead Calm.

“If you need a bad guy on a boat, apparently I’m your man. Instant villain - just add water!” he says with a chuckle. Filmed in and around the Whitsundays and Hamilton Island, the movie first introduced a young Billy to the beauty of Australia.