Billy Ray Cyrus | |
|---|---|
 Cyrus in 2019 | |
| Born | William Ray Cyrus (1961-08-25)August 25, 1961 (age 64) Flatwoods, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Georgetown College |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1989–present |
| Spouses | |
| Partner | Elizabeth Hurley (2025–present) |
| Children | 6, includingBrandi,Trace,Miley, andNoah Cyrus |
| Father | Ron Cyrus |
| Awards | Full list |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instruments |
|
| Labels | |
| Formerly of | Brother Clyde |
| Website | billyraycyrus |
Musical artist | |
William Ray Cyrus (/ˈsaɪrəs/SY-rəs; born August 25, 1961)[2][3] is an American singer, songwriter and actor.[4][5] Having released 16 studio albums and 53 singles since 1992, he is known for his hit single "Achy Breaky Heart", which topped the U.S.Hot Country Songs chart and became the first single ever to achieve triple platinum status in Australia. It was also the best-selling single in the same country in 1992.[6][7] Due to the song's music video, theline dance rose in popularity.[8]
Amulti-platinum selling artist, Cyrus has scored a total of eight top-ten singles on theBillboard Hot Country Songs chart. His most successful album to date is his debutSome Gave All, which has been certified 9× multi-platinum in the United States and is the longest time spent by a debut artist and by a country artist at number one on theBillboard 200 (17 consecutive weeks) and most consecutive chart-topping weeks in theSoundScan era.[9][10][11]Some Gave All was also the first debut album to enter at number one on theBillboard Top Country Albums chart.[12] The album has also sold more than 20 million copies worldwide and is the best-selling debut album of all time for a solo male artist.Some Gave All was also the best-selling album of 1992 in the US with 4,832,000 copies.[13][14] During his career he has released 36 charted singles, of which 17 charted in the top 40.
In 2019, Cyrus earned his first number-one single on the USBillboard Hot 100 as a featured artist on a remix ofLil Nas X's song "Old Town Road", which spent a record-breaking nineteen consecutive weeks at the top spot (eighteen of them credited to Cyrus). It also spent a record-breaking twenty consecutive weeks (nineteen of them credited to Cyrus) at the top spot on theBillboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs andBillboard Hot Rap Songs.[15][16] The R&B/Hip-Hop record has been broken in May 2023 bySZA's "Kill Bill".[17]Thanks to "Old Town Road", Cyrus won his first twoGrammy Awards, in the categoriesBest Pop Duo/Group Performance andBest Music Video.[18]
From 2001 to 2004, Cyrus starred on the television seriesDoc. The series focused on a country doctor who moved fromMontana to New York City. From 2006 to 2011, he starred asRobby Ray Stewart on theDisney Channel seriesHannah Montana with his daughterMiley Cyrus playing thetitle character. From 2016 to 2017, he starred as Vernon Brownmule on theCMT sitcomStill the King.
Billy Ray Cyrus was born on August 25, 1961, inFlatwoods, Kentucky, toRon Cyrus, a steelworker who became a politician,[19] and his wife Ruth Ann (née Casto).[2][20][21] Cyrus started singing at the age of four. His parents divorced in 1966. His grandfather was aPentecostalpreacher. Growing up he was surrounded by bluegrass and gospel music as his family are musicians. His right-handed father played guitar, however left-handed Cyrus tried to play his father's guitar, but could not. He attendedGeorgetown College on a baseball scholarship before changing to music. He dropped out of Georgetown during his junior year, realized he wanted to become a musician after attending aNeil Diamond concert, and set a 10-month goal to start a career.[19] In the 1980s, he played in a band called Sly Dog, before signing a record contract withMercury Nashville Records.[22] Sly Dog was named after a one-eyed dog that Cyrus owned.[19]
While trying to get a recording contract in Los Angeles, Cyrus suffered many hardships including living in his neighbor's car. However, in 1990, he was signed toPolyGram/Mercury. In the same year he opened forReba McEntire.[19] Cyrus began to record and write music for his debut album, released in 1992.
Some Gave All was released in 1992. The album became an instant chart and sales success. It debuted at No. 1 on theBillboardTop Country Albums,Billboard 200, Canadian Country Albums chart,Canadian Albums Chart, and on the charts of several other countries. The album featured four consecutive top 40 singles on theHot Country Songs chart from 1992 to 1993, including an album cut, the title track. The most successful single released was "Achy Breaky Heart". It reached No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart and was also a hit on theBillboard Hot 100, where it reached No. 4. Uniquely for a country music song it also became an international success, reaching number 1 in Australia and number 3 on theUK Singles Chart. Thanks to the video of this hit, there was the explosion of theline dance into the mainstream, becoming a global craze.[23] Additionally, the singles "Could've Been Me" reached No. 2, "Wher'm I Gonna Live?" reached No. 23, and "She's Not Cryin' Anymore" reached No. 6.Some Gave All was certified 9× multi-platinum in the United States in 1996, and has sold over 20 million copies worldwide.
In 1993, Cyrus and Mercury Records quickly released Cyrus' second studio album,It Won't Be the Last. The album featured four singles, three of which made the top 40. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Country charts, and No. 3 on theBillboard 200. By the end of the year,It Won't Be the Last was certified platinum by theRIAA. The highest-charting single, the lead-off single, "In the Heart of a Woman", charted to No. 3, with "Somebody New" charting to No. 9, "Words By Heart" at No. 12, and "Talk Some" at No. 63. Also in 1993, Cyrus appeared onDolly Parton's single "Romeo"; though the single only reached 27 on the country singles charts, the accompanying video was popular onCMT.
Cyrus' third studio album,Storm in the Heartland, was released in 1994. It was the final album he recorded for PolyGram, which closed its doors in 1995. The album was not as successful as its predecessors. It only reached No. 11 on the Country albums chart, and only the title track made the top 40 of the Country singles chart. "Deja Blue" was the second single released; however, it only managed to chart to No. 66, and the third and final single, "One Last Thrill", failed to chart at all.
The album managed to be certified gold in the U.S. Before Cyrus started on his next album, he was transferred toMercury Nashville.
Also in 1994, Cyrus contributed the song "Pictures Don't Lie" to theAIDS benefit albumRed Hot + Country produced by theRed Hot Organization.
Cyrus' most critically acclaimed album was 1996'sTrail of Tears for Mercury Records. The album debuted at No. 20 on the Country chart. Only two songs made the cut to radio, neither of which hit the top 40. The title track and "Three Little Words" reached No. 69 and No. 65 respectively. The album failed to reach any certification, and was off the charts after only four weeks.
In 1998, Cyrus released his last album for Mercury RecordsShot Full of Love. The album became his lowest-peaking album, debuting at No. 32. The first single, "Under the Hood", failed to chart, "Time for Letting Go" hit No. 70, "Busy Man" charted No. 3, and "I Give My Heart to You" reached No. 41. After the single fell from the charts, Cyrus left Mercury and signed withMonument Records in 1999.
His debut album for Monument,Southern Rain, was released in 2000. It debuted at No. 13 on the Country albums chart and No. 102 on theBillboard 200. Five singles were released and all five charted. The lead-off single, "You Won't Be Lonely Now", was the highest-peaking single from the album, charting to No. 17. Other singles include "We the People" (No. 60), "Burn Down the Trailer Park" (No. 43), "Crazy 'Bout You Baby" (No. 58), and the title track (No. 45).
After the singles fromSouthern Rain finished their chart runs, Cyrus recorded two Christian albums. Both albums,Time Flies andThe Other Side, were released in 2003. The first album debuted and peaked at a low No. 56 on the Country album charts. Three singles were released; however, only the final single reached the charts. "Bread Alone", "What Else Is There", and "Back to Memphis" were released, and "Back to Memphis" charted to No. 60.
The second Christian album,The Other Side, was recorded while Cyrus filmed hisPAX series,Doc. It debuted at No. 5 on theTop Christian Albums chart, No. 18 Top Country Albums, and No. 131 onBillboard 200. Two of three singles charted – "Face of God" (No. 54) and "The Other Side" (No. 45) – while "Always Sixteen" did not chart.
The albumWanna Be Your Joe was Billy Ray's first country album since 2000'sSouthern Rain. It was again recorded on a new record label: New Door/UMe Records. It was released while Cyrus was filming the showHannah Montana.Wanna Be Your Joe made it to No. 24 on the Country charts and No. 113 on the all-genre charts. The album initially sold well, but no hit-single was released. The title track was released as the first single, and was followed by "I Want My Mullet Back", both of which were ignored by country radio. Although not released as a single, a music video was made for the track "Stand", a duet with daughterMiley Cyrus.
Also in 2006, Billy Ray appeared with metal-rock groupMetal Skool (nowSteel Panther), and performed several songs including "Rebel Yell" byBilly Idol, and the song "I Want My Mullet Back", which appears onWanna Be Your Joe.[25]
He also sang "The Star Spangled Banner" at Game 5 of the2006 World Series inSt. Louis,Missouri.
In mid-2007, Cyrus was a celebrity contestant on the 4th season of the showDancing with the Stars. Cyrus was partnered withKarina Smirnoff. He quickly became a fan favorite. Cyrus and Smirnoff made it to the semi-finals, where they finished in 5th place.
From Cyrus's exposure onDancing with the Stars andHannah Montana, his record label pushed up the release date by a month for his new album.Home at Last was released in July 2007 onWalt Disney Records. It debuted at No. 3 on the country charts, making it Cyrus' first top 5 entry since 1993. Beginning sales for the album were very strong; however, the album failed to be certified. The single "Ready, Set, Don't Go", was initially released as a solo single. The solo version made it to No. 33 on the Hot Country Songs chart.
In October 2007, Cyrus and his daughterMiley performed a duet of the song onDancing with the Stars. The duet debuted at No. 27 on the Country charts and eventually peaked at No. 4 in 2008, giving Billy Ray his first top 5 single since 1999, as well as Miley's first top 5 on anyBillboard chart.
Cyrus was a part of the Disney collectionCountry Sings Disney in 2008. Two of his songs, "Ready, Set, Don't Go" and theSheryl Crow-penned song "Real Gone", appeared on the album. Billy Ray's version of "Real Gone" was also made into a music video that is in rotation on bothCMT andGAC; the song also appears onBack to Tennessee.
In late 2008, his website announced that a new studio album would be released by the end of the year fromLyric Street Records, entitledBack to Tennessee. The album was originally planned to be released on October 21, 2008, but was pushed back to November 18. When the album was not released, it was announced for a January 13, 2009, release.[26][27] The first single, "Somebody Said a Prayer", debuted at No. 53 in August 2008 and reached No. 33 in November of that year. On March 14, 2009, the album's title track debuted at No. 59 on the country singles chart and a month later on April 7,Back to Tennessee was released. The song only charted to No. 47 after 11 weeks. A third single, "A Good Day", debuted at No. 60 on the country charts for the chart week of September 5, 2009.
It was less successful in its first week out asHome at Last. It only reached No. 13 on the charts and only sold approximately 14,000 copies in its opening week. The album's release date coincided with the release ofHannah Montana: The Movie. The song "Back to Tennessee" was included on themovie's soundtrack, as well as a duet withMiley Cyrus, entitled "Butterfly Fly Away". The latter song would peak at No. 56 on theBillboard Hot 100 and at No. 50 andCanadian Hot 100.
On November 12, 2008, Billy Ray and Miley presented the "Song of the Year" award at the 42nd AnnualCountry Music Association Awards. Prior to the award show, both Billy Ray and Miley performed onGood Morning America. In December 2008, Cyrus made a cameo inMetro Station's video, "Seventeen Forever".[28]
Shortly after the chart debut ofBack to Tennessee's third single, "A Good Day", Cyrus and Lyric Street Records parted ways after only one album.[29]
Cyrus,Phil Vassar,Jeffrey Steele, andJohn Waite formed a supergroup together in early 2009 called Brother Clyde.[30][31] OnTwitter Cyrus confirmed he was in a supergroup and said they had just cut the first single for their new album,Lately.[32]
On June 30, 2010, Cyrus said about the newalternative rock groupBrother Clyde that the old members would be substituted bySamantha Maloney, Jamie Miller, Dan Knight, and Dave Henning. Also, he said that their single, "Lately", was available oniTunes and that their debut album would be out on August 10, 2010.[33]
In late 2010, Cyrus suspended his activities in the bandBrother Clyde, and announced the release of his new solo patriotic album, entitledI'm American. Initially scheduled to be released in November 2010, it was pushed back to a May 24, 2011, release with a re-recording of "Some Gave All" that featured guest vocals fromDarryl Worley,Jamey Johnson andCraig Morgan being released as the lead-off single. However, in April 2011, the single was changed to "Runway Lights".I'm American was released on June 28, 2011. A second single, "Nineteen", was released in August 2011. The song entered the Hot Country Songs chart for the week of October 8, 2011, where it debuted at number 58, becoming Cyrus' first charted single since "A Good Day" in 2009.
Cyrus released the albumChange My Mind on October 23, 2012. Its first single, the title track, was released on September 6.
In April 2017, Cyrus toldRolling Stone Country that on his birthday, August 25, he would be known as Cyrus, or "the artist formerly known as Billy Ray", after legally changing his name.[34] Fans did not like this, but onLive with Kelly and Ryan Cyrus said "I'm here to set the record straight. That's the name of the album–'Cyrus'. Then, subtitled, 'Set the Record Straight.'" He assured fans his name would still be Billy Ray.[35]
AfterBillboard removed American rapperLil Nas X's country-rap song "Old Town Road" from their Country chart, Cyrus was featured in the remix.[36] The remix rose to number one on theBillboard Hot 100, unseating the original mix of the song and giving Cyrus his first number one song on the Hot 100.[37] "Old Town Road" spent 19 consecutive weeks (18 of those credited to Cyrus) on the Hot 100, breaking the record as the longest running number one song in history, surpassing the record that was previously set byMariah Carey andBoyz II Men song "One Sweet Day".[38] The song was nominated for variousGrammy Awards, winningBest Pop Duo/Group Performance andBest Music Video.[18] In October 2019, the song received adiamond certification by theRIAA, selling over ten million total units in the United States. It became the fastest song to be awarded diamond certification.[39]
In 2026, Cyrus competed inseason fourteen ofThe Masked Singer as "Owl". He was eliminated on "Twilight Night".[40]
Cyrus starred in the 1999 independent filmRadical Jack. He also had a small part inDavid Lynch's 2001 filmMulholland Drive as Gene, a pool cleaner who had been having an affair with the wife of Adam Kesher (Justin Theroux). In 2001, Cyrus played the lead role on thePAX (now ION Television) comedy-dramaDoc, which became the network's highest-rated show. In 2005, Cyrus expanded his acting career in a stage production ofAnnie Get Your Gun inToronto, appearing in the role ofFrank Butler.[41]
Cyrus' television credits includeThe Nanny,Diagnosis Murder,Love Boat, The Next Wave, andTNN's18 Wheels Of Justice. In 2004, he guest-starred as a limo driver in the episode "The Power of Love" of the Canadian teen dramaDegrassi: The Next Generation. Cyrus has also been the subject of many television specials that detail his rise to fame and his career. These include twoABC documentaries,Billy Ray Cyrus: Dreams Come True andBilly Ray Cyrus: A Year on the Road, aVH1 exclusive, as well as the TNN specialsI Give My Heart To You, andThe Life and Times of Billy Ray Cyrus. In late 2005, Cyrus and his daughterMiley Cyrus began co-starring in theDisney Channel original television series,Hannah Montana, which premiered on March 24, 2006.
In March 2007, Cyrus joined several other celebrities to take part in thefourth season of the US version ofDancing with the Stars.[42] He and his partnerKarina Smirnoff, were eliminated in the eighth week (May 8, 2007) after having also placed in the "bottom two" the week before.[43]
Cyrus also starred inJackie Chan's filmThe Spy Next Door. It was shot inAlbuquerque, New Mexico and released in January 2010.
Cyrus sits on the advisory board of a conservative group called theParents Television Council.[41]
In 2010, it was announced that Cyrus and his sonTrace Cyrus would take part in a newSyfy reality series calledUFO: Unbelievably Freakin' Obvious.[44][45][46][47]
Cyrus made hisBroadway debut as Billy Flynn inChicago. He was in the show for a temporary engagement from November 5 to December 23, 2012.[48]
Cyrus was married to Cindy Smith from 1986 until they divorced in 1991. Cyrus and Smith co-wrote the songs "Wher'm I Gonna Live?" and "Some Gave All", both of which were featured on Cyrus' 1992 debut albumSome Gave All.[19]
In 1992, Cyrus became the father of two children with different women: a son, Christopher Cody Cyrus, born to waitress Kristin Luckey,[49] and a daughter,Miley Ray Cyrus, born toLeticia "Tish" Finley. Cyrus pledged to Luckey to support her and their child; she raised their son inSouth Carolina.[50][51][52]
On December 28, 1993, while Finley was pregnant with their second child, the couple were secretly married against the advice of Cyrus' record company.[3][50][51] They have three children together, two daughters: Miley Ray Cyrus[53] (born Destiny Hope Cyrus; in 1992) andNoah Lindsey Cyrus (born 2000); and a son, Braison Chance Cyrus (born 1994). He also adopted the two children Finley brought from her previous relationship: daughterBrandi Glenn Cyrus (born 1987), and sonTrace Dempsey Cyrus (born Neil Timothy Helson; in 1989).[54] In June 2021, Cyrus became a grandfather for the first time when his son Braison and daughter-in-law Stella (née McBride) Cyrus welcomed their first child.[55][56]
The family lived on a 500-acre (2.0 km2) farm inThompson's Station, Tennessee, nearNashville. They moved toLos Angeles for the filming of theDisney Channel original seriesHannah Montana in which daughter Miley starred. Brandi also had cameos in the series, in the episodes"Yet Another Side of Me" and"Been Here All Along".[57]
On October 26, 2010, Cyrus filed for divorce in Tennessee, citing irreconcilable differences but in March 2011, Cyrus said he had dropped the divorce proceedings.[58]
On June 13, 2013, Tish filed for divorce after 19 years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences with Cyrus.[59] In July 2013, the couple was reported to be in therapy and dropped the divorce.[60] In 2017, the second divorce case was officially dismissed by the court since the couple failed to appear.[61] In April 2022, Tish filed for divorce a second time, with the divorce papers revealing that they had been separated for more than two years.[62]
In August 2022, Cyrus became engaged to Australian singer Firerose.[63][64] The two met over a decade prior on the set ofHannah Montana and in 2021 released "New Day", a collaboration featuring Firerose's vocals and Cyrus on guitar.[65][66][64] They were married on October 10, 2023.[67]
On May 22, 2024, Cyrus filed for divorce from Firerose.[68] The couple cited irreconcilable differences as well as inappropriate marital conduct as the reason for the divorce. Cyrus also asked the court to grant him an outright annulment, claiming the marriage was obtained by fraud.[69] On August 5, 2024, the divorce was finalized.[70]
In April 2025, actress and modelElizabeth Hurley revealed on social media that she and Cyrus were now dating.[71]
Although Cyrus's song "We the People" was used as acampaign song byRepublicanGeorge W. Bush in his2000 presidential campaign, Cyrus was reported as saying that he had been a lifelongDemocrat.[72] He attended a fundraiser forAl Gore that year.[73]
In August 2024, Cyrus shared a photo on Instagram showing him next to Republican then-former presidentDonald Trump, offering his endorsement to him in the2024 presidential election.[74] On January 20, 2025, he performed at thepresidential inaugural ball, which celebrated the commencement of Trump's second term.[75]
Cyrus is aKentucky Colonel, awarded by thegovernor of Kentucky.[76]
Studio albums
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Radical Jack | Jack | |
| Mulholland Drive | Gene | ||
| 2002 | Wish You Were Dead | Dean Longo | |
| 2004 | Death and Texas | Spoade Perkins | |
| Elvis Has Left the Building | Hank | Uncredited | |
| 2008 | Bait Shop | Hot Rod Johnson | |
| Best of Both Worlds Concert | Himself | ||
| 2009 | Flying By | George Barron | |
| Christmas in Canaan | Daniel Burton | Television film | |
| Hannah Montana: The Movie | Robby Ray Stewart | Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor | |
| 2010 | The Spy Next Door | Colton James | Nominated—Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor |
| 2011 | Billy Ray Cyrus: I'm American | Himself | Television film |
| Christmas Comes Home to Canaan | Daniel Burton | Television film | |
| 2014 | Like a Country Song | Bo Reeson | |
| Sharknado 2: The Second One | Doctor Quint | ||
| 2017 | Demi Lovato: Simply Complicated | Himself | Documentary film |
| 2020 | American Reject | ||
| 2022 | Christmas in Paradise | Jimmy Love | |
| 2023 | Glisten and the Merry Mission | Donner | Voice |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Top of the Pops | Himself | 3 episodes |
| 1995 | The Nanny | Himself | Episode: "A Kiss Is Just a Kiss" |
| 1997 | Diagnosis: Murder | Himself | Episode: "Murder, Country Style" |
| 1999 | The Love Boat: The Next Wave | Lasso Larry Larsen | Episode: "Divorce, Downbeat and Distemper" |
| 2000 | 18 Wheels of Justice | Henry Conners | Episode: "Games of Chance" |
| 2001–2004 | Doc | Dr. Clint Cassidy | 88 episodes |
| 2002 | Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye | Dr. Clint Cassidy | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2003 | Degrassi: The Next Generation | Limo driver, Duke | Episode: "The Power of Love" |
| 2006–2011 | Hannah Montana | Robby Ray Stewart | 95 episodes Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Parental Unit |
| 2007 | Billy Ray Cyrus: Home at Last | Himself | 4 episodes |
| Dancing with the Stars | Himself, contestant | 17 episodes | |
| 2008 | Hillbilly: The Real Story | Host | Episode: "Hillbilly: The Real Story" |
| Nashville Star | Host | 9 episodes | |
| Phineas and Ferb | Buck Buckerson (Voice) | Episode: "It's a Mud, Mud, Mud, Mud World" | |
| 2010 | Are We There Yet? | Luke Bonnie | Episode: "The Hand on a House" |
| 2011 | Full Throttle Saloon | Himself | Episode: "Episode 2.3" |
| Surprise Homecoming | Host | 8 episodes | |
| 2011–2012 | 90210 | Judd Ridge | 2 episodes |
| 2014 | The Haunting Of... | Himself | Episode: "Billy Ray Cyrus" |
| Newsreaders | Billy Ray Cyrus | Episode: "America's Unknown President; Reporter on House Arrest" | |
| 2016–2017 | Still the King | Vernon Brownmule | 26 episodes |
| 2017 | Cyrus vs. Cyrus: Design and Conquer | Himself | Episode: "Creating a Forever Home" |
| Blaze and the Monster Machines | Lazard (Voice) | Episode: "Animal Island" | |
| Carpool Karaoke: The Series | Himself | Episode: "The Cyrus Family" | |
| 2026 | The Masked Singer | Himself/Owl | Season 14 Contestant; 3 episodes |
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Hannah Montana: The Movie | |
| 2011 | Surprise Homecoming | 8 episodes |
| 2016–2017 | Still the King | 26 episodes |
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)He and Tish married the following year, when she was pregnant with their son, Braison.
Tish's kids from a previous relationship, Brandi, 20, and Trace, 18, whom Billy Ray adopted as tots.
| Awards and achievements | ||
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| Preceded by | Dancing with the Stars (US) quarter-finalist Season 4 (Spring 2007 withKarina Smirnoff) | Succeeded by |
| Studio albums | |
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| Other albums | |
| Singles |
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| Other songs | |
| Related topics |
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