Bill Paxton, who passed away, was an influential actor of his time, featuring in numerous films and television series, including James Cameron’s Titanic. Yet, you might be surprised to learn that six years later, Bill Paxton appeared in a Limp Bizkit music video. Known for his acting debut in the late 1970s, Paxton gained recognition for his roles in science fiction and action films, with a significant part in Aliens, where his character Private William Hudson is famous for saying “It’s game over, man!
Though Bill Paxton sadly passed away in 2017, his legacy continues through his unforgettable performances in numerous iconic films such as Tombstone, Spy Kids, Edge of Tomorrow, and even the blockbuster disaster movie Twister (and its sequel in 2024). What’s truly unexpected is that Bill Paxton also made an appearance in a Limp Bizkit music video, showcasing the versatility of his talent.
Bill Paxton Starred In Limp Bizkit’s “Eat You Alive” Music Video
Fred Durst Said Bill Paxton “Was A Close Friend”
In 2003, the rock band Limp Bizkit put out a music video for their single “Eat You Alive.” This song climbed to number 16 on Billboard’s Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks and tells the story of a working-class man who becomes infatuated with an upper-class woman. The music video showcases Fred Durst, lead singer of Limp Bizkit, singing and shouting at a kidnapped Thora Birch (known for her roles in American Beauty and Ghost World) deep in the woods. Accompanying Durst are his band members and twinkling lights. An intriguing twist occurs when Bill Paxton, who was already well-known before the music video’s release, appears as part of a group pursuing Limp Bizkit.
“In ‘Eat You Alive’, I make my entrance around the 1 minute and 45-second mark, leading a crowd along with a canine companion. Later on, I locate the abducted girl who seems captivated by Fred Durst, before chasing after the band into the forest,” I share as a movie reviewer, expressing my role in the music video. Admittedly, it’s puzzling why an actor of Bill Paxton’s stature was essential for this project, as his part could have been easily filled by another performer. However, a possible explanation might be found in an interview for the premiere of ‘The Fanatic’, where he discusses his involvement with Limp Bizkit.
In 2019, Fred Durst, the frontman of Limp Bizkit, directed the film “The Fanatic.” This movie featured John Travolta as a fixated admirer. Interestingly, the movie’s plot shares some resemblance with “Eat You Alive,” which is another one of Durst’s works. During the film’s premiere Q&A, Durst revealed that the character initially written for Travolta was actually intended for Bill Paxton. He explained this dedication by stating that Paxton was a dear friend of his. It’s uncertain whether their friendship predated or followed Bill Paxton’s appearance in Limp Bizkit’s music video, but it sheds light on why Paxton was selected for “Eat You Alive.
“Eat You Alive” Wasn’t Bill Paxton’s Only Music Video Appearance
Paxton Had A Larger Career In The Music Industry Than You Think
It might be unexpected to know that “Eat You Alive” wasn’t Bill Paxton’s sole music video appearance; in fact, he appeared in a total of eight music videos during the 1980s for various artists, demonstrating his versatile early career in acting. He even made multiple cameos for Barnes & Barnes, starring in four music videos over five years and directing their novelty song’s video, “Fish Heads.” However, as his acting roles in films like “The Terminator,” “Weird Science,” and “Aliens” began to pile up, Paxton found himself too occupied with his rapidly growing acting career.
| Year | Title | Artist | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | “Fish Heads” | Barnes & Barnes | Main Character |
| 1982 | “Love Tap” | The Man | |
| “Shadows of the Night” | Pat Benatar | Radio Operator | |
| 1983 | “Soak It Up” | Barnes & Barnes | Bill Paxton |
| 1984 | “Ah Ā” | Joan Crawford | |
| 1987 | “Touched by the Hand of God” | New Order | Violent Man |
| 1988 | “Reach” | Martini Ranch | The Outlaw |
| 1988 | “How Can the Labouring Man Find Time for Self-Culture?” | Martini Ranch | Bill Paxton |
| 2003 | “Eat You Alive” | Limp Bizkit | Man |
Bill Paxton boasts an intriguing tie to the music industry due to his band membership in Martini Ranch during the 1980s. Although their career didn’t soar as expected, it’s fascinating that the music video for “Reach” was masterminded by James Cameron – a director with whom Paxton had previously collaborated on films like The Terminator and Aliens, and would continue to work closely on projects such as Titanic. What’s more surprising is how many music videos Bill Paxton featured in throughout his career, and the fact that he can claim collaboration with James Cameron, Pat Benatar, and Limp Bizkit among others, makes for an impressive list of musical connections.
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2025-05-19 01:08