Billy Ray Cyrus

Billy Ray Cyrus Headshot

Singer • Musician • Actor

Birth Date: August 25, 1961

Age: 62 years old

Birth Place: Flatwoods, Kentucky

Spouses: Tish Cyrus

Children: Miley Cyrus, Brandi Cyrus, Noah Cyrus

Initially written off as a "one-hit wonder" after failing to revisit the oversaturated heights he reached with his cloying country hit "Achy Breaky Heart," Billy Ray Cyrus was in the right place at the right time with the right look, and his catchy hit helped usher in the era of New Country; however, he was soon eclipsed by lasting talents like Alan Jackson and Garth Brooks. When Cyrus turned his attention to acting, he proved an even bigger success as an appealing and competent actor in family entertainment like the PAX series "Doc" (2000-04). Daughter Miley's breakout as a Disney teen star ushered in a comeback for Cyrus, with his co-starring role as the country star father of Miley's pop star character in the lucrative "Hannah Montana" franchise, which included an Emmy-winning television series, feature film spin-off, live touring, and an unstoppable merchandising juggernaut. A father-daughter duet "Ready, Steady, Don't Go" landed Cyrus back on the music charts, even as he became a target for the increasingly sexualized image of the wholesome network's pole-dancing teen. Regardless, Cyrus had managed to put "one-hit" status behind him and rise from the ashes at the center of a multi-media family empire.

Cyrus was born Aug. 25, 1961, and grew up in the heart of Appalachia in the Eastern Kentucky town of Flatwoods. His father was well-known local politician Ron Cyrus, who served 11 consecutive terms in the Kentucky House of Representatives but also sang in a gospel quartet, which first inspired young Billy Ray to sing. In high school, Cyrus became a star athlete who played on a state champion football team. He went on to attend Georgetown College on a baseball scholarship. He eventually left school to pursue his love of music, spending several years eking out a living in bar bands with his brother prior to moving, first to L.A. and then to Nashville to develop as a songwriter/solo act. He struggled for years working odd jobs and suffering rejection, but during a particularly low point when he was living out of his car, he penned an album's worth of songs that would land him a deal with Mercury Records in 1990. Most of those songs became Cyrus' 1992 debut album, Some Gave All, which earned a place in the record books for holding the number one position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 17 weeks, in addition to becoming certified platinum nine times. And of course, the pop-crossover single "Achy Breaky Heart" was inescapable that year, earning the newcomer awards from the Country Music Association, The American Music Awards, and Grammy nominations.

The 1993 follow-up album It Won't Be the Last hit No. 1 on the Billboard Country Charts though its top single, "In the Heart of a Woman," only reached No. 3. When albums Storm in the Heartland (1994), Trail of Tears (1996), and Shot Full of Love (1998) sold even less, it was becoming clear that Cyrus' freshman hit had been a stroke of beginner's good luck; that he was not going to maintain a high profile career in the burgeoning world of New Country. Cyrus began dabbling in acting in 1999 with an appearance on the lamentable "Love Boat: The Next Wave" (UPN, 1998-99) and in the low-budget actioner, "Radical Jack" (2000). In the new millennium, he also trimmed his mullet considerably, opting for a country-rock crossover sound with Southern Rain, which made it to number 13 on the Country Album charts, but produced no significant singles. The singer's "achy breaky" career finally began to rebound with "Doc" (PAX, 2001-04), a fish-out-water drama in which Cyrus starred as a country doctor winning over patients and staff at a New York City hospital. Cyrus' aw-shucks charm was a perfect match with the compassionate character he portrayed and it helped to ensure the show's considerable ratings during its three-year run. Cyrus also turned up as his "Doc" character on the 2002 pilot for another PAX series, "Sue Thomas: F.B. Eye" (2002-05).

Outside of his popularity on the faith-based cable network, Cyrus made sporadic film appearances; the most unusual of these being a supporting role as a philandering pool cleaner in David Lynch's surreal psychological thriller, "Mulholland Drive" (2001). Following the release of Christian albums Time Flies and The Other Side, which - thanks to Cyrus' visibility on TV - reached No. 5 on the Christian Album charts, Cyrus had a supporting role in the little-seen comedies "Elvis Has Left the Building" (2004) and "Death and Texas" (2004), as well as a guest spot on the popular teen TV series, "Degrassi: The Next Generation" (2001-16). In 2006, Cyrus' unknown teen daughter, Miley, was cast in the leading role of a young pop singer living a dual life as an "average" high school teen on the Disney Channel series, "Hannah Montana." Real life dad Billy Ray was cast alongside her as her country-singing star father and manager. The series became an overnight sensation with the 'tween set, and for Cyrus' role on the high profile hit, his own flagging musical career got a boost. His 2007 album Home At Last hit No. 3 on the Top Country Album chart, and the father-daughter duet single "Ready, Set, Don't Go" reached the Top 5.

Cyrus went on to appear as a celebrity contestant on the immensely popular dance competition show, "Dancing with the Stars" (2005- ), and was tapped to host the reality talent search "Nashville Star" (USA, 2003-07; NBC, 2008). As part of the new Cyrus multi-media domination, he hit the big screen as himself in the live concert video, "Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: The Best of Both Worlds" (2008) and reprised his practical papa role in the blockbuster feature film spin-off "Hannah Montana The Movie" (2009). Cyrus family controversy began brewing in 2008, however, when Cyrus appeared alongside his blanket-clad teen daughter in a Vanity Fair photo shoot that brought the family's close-knit, conservative, Christian values into question. Disney further distanced itself from the teen star's increasingly un-Disney shenanigans when she performed a pole dance at the 2009 Teen Choice Awards, a performance that was defended as "artistic" by Daddy Cyrus.

Credits

Glisten and the Merry Mission

Voice
Donner
Movie
2023

CMA Fest

Music Performer
Show
2022

Hits! Sunny Pop

Music Performer
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2022

American Reject

Actor
Movie
2022

Christmas in Paradise

Actor
Jimmy
Movie
2022

Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic ChristmasStream

Self
Special
2022

CMT A Tennessee Kind of Christmas

Self
Show
2021

Country: Tailgate Party Vol. II

Music Performer
Show
2021

BBMAs: All-Time Top Songs

Music Performer
Show
2021

CMA Best of Fest

Music Performer
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2020

GMA3: What You Need to Know

Music Performer
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2020

Miley Cyrus - Live in England

Music Performer
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2020

The 62nd Annual Grammy Awards

Music Performer
Show
2020

All-Star America: 4th of July Party

Music Performer
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2020

BBMAs 2020 Nominees to Watch

Music Performer
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2020

The Kelly Clarkson ShowStream

Music Performer
Talk
2019

CMA Fest

Music Performer
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2019

Lil Nas X Feat. Billy Ray Cyrus: Old Town Road

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2019

Today With Hoda & Jenna

Music Performer
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2019

Lil Nas X Feat. Billy Ray Cyrus: Old Town Road (Remix)

Music Performer
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2019

Lil Nas X Feat. Billy Ray Cyrus: Old Town Road (Behind the Scenes)

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2019

Lil Nas X Feat. Billy Ray Cyrus, Young Thug & Mason Ramsey: Old Town Road (Area 51 Version)

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2019

Lil Nas X Feat. Billy Ray Cyrus: Old Town Road (Week 17 Version)

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2019

Hit List: October 2019

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2019

2019 AMAs: Nominees to Watch

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2019

2019 AMAs: Songs You Need to Hear

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2019

Best of 2019: Hit List

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2019

A Decade of Hits Vol.II

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2019

2020 GRAMMY Awards: Nominees to Watch

Music Performer
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2019

Juicebox: Bust a Move

Music Performer
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2019

A Decade of Hits: Vol.II

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2019

FOX Sports DOC

Actor
Dr. Clint
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2018

Dads of Country

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2018

Pickler & Ben

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2017

Carpool Karaoke: The SeriesStream

Music Performer
Reality
2017

Live with Kelly and Ryan

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Talk
2017

Nashville Insider

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Reality
2016

Harry

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2016

Still The KingStream

Actor
Burnin' Vernon
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2016
57%

Still the King: Extras

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2016

Billy Ray Cyrus: Thin Line

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2016

The Late Show With Stephen ColbertStream

Music Performer
Talk
2015

The Late Late Show With James CordenStream

Music Performer
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2015

Blaze and the Monster MachinesStream

Guest Voice
Lazard
Series
2014

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonStream

Music Performer
Talk
2014

Billy Ray Cyrus: Hope is Just Ahead

Music Performer
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2014

Like a Country Song

Actor
Bo Reeson
Movie
2014

The Queen Latifah Show

Guest
Talk
2013

The Big Interview With Dan RatherStream

Guest
Series
2013

The Arsenio Hall Show

Music Performer
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2013

All-Star Celebrity Apprentice

Guest Star
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2013

Hot 20 Countdown

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2013

Entertainment Studios.TV

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2012

Larry King NowStream

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Talk
2012

The Chew

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2011

Dish Nation

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2011

Surprise Homecoming

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2011

Big Morning Buzz Live

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2011

The VoiceStream

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Reality
2011

Dr. Drew

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2011

Christmas Comes Home to Canaan

Actor
Daniel Burton
Movie
2011

ESPN Documentaries

Actor
Dr. Clint
Show
2010

The Talk

Guest
Talk
2010

The Talk

Music Performer
Talk
2010

George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight

Guest
Show
2010

Access Hollywood Live

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2010

Hannah Montana Forever

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Robbie Stewart
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2010

Dolly Celebrates 25 Years of Dollywood

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2010

SHpion po sosedstvu

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Movie
2010

The Spy Next DoorStream

Actor
Colton James
Movie
2010
12%

Lopez Tonight

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2009

Lopez Tonight

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2009

Watch What Happens Live With Andy CohenStream

Guest
Talk
2009

Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

Guest
Talk
2009

Kids' Inaugural: We Are the Future

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Show
2009

Billy Ray Cyrus: Back To Tennessee

Music Performer
Show
2009

Billy Ray Cyrus: Somebody Said a Prayer

Music Performer
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2009

Hannah Montana: The Movie

Actor
Robby Ray
Movie
2009

Flying By

Actor
George Barron
Movie
2009

Christmas in Canaan

Actor
Daniel Burton
Movie
2009

Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade

Music Performer
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2008

The Bonnie Hunt Show

Guest
Talk
2008

90210Stream

Guest Star
Judd Ridge
Series
2008

The Wendy Williams Show

Guest
Talk
2008

Bait Shop

Actor
Hot Rod Johnson
Movie
2008

Billy Ray Cyrus... Home at Last

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Show
2007

Today With Kathie Lee & Hoda

Music Performer
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2007

Phineas and FerbStream

Guest Voice
Series
2007

Billy Ray Cyrus: Ready, Set, Don't Go

Music Performer
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2007

Rachael Ray ShowStream

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Talk
2006

Rachael Ray ShowStream

Music Performer
Talk
2006

That's So Suite Life of Hannah Montana

Actor
Robby Ray Stewart
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2006

etalk

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2006

Hannah MontanaStream

Actor
Robbie Stewart
Series
2006

Made in Hollywood

Guest
Series
2005

The Tyra Show

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Talk
2005

Dancing With the StarsStream

Contestant
Reality
2005

Billy Ray Cyrus: Some Gave All

Music Performer
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2005

The Insider

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Show
2004

Death and Texas

Actor
Spoade Perkins
Movie
2004

Elvis Has Left the Building

Actor
Hank (uncredited)
Movie
2004

Nashville Star

Host
Reality
2003

Country Showdown 2003

Host
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2003

Last Call With Carson Daly

Guest
Talk
2002

DocStream

Actor
Dr. Clint Cassidy
Series
2001

Live With Regis and Kelly

Guest
Show
2001

Live With Regis and Kelly

Music Performer
Show
2001

Mulholland DriveStream

Actor
Gene
Movie
2001
84%

Radical Jack

Actor
Jack
Movie
2001

18 Wheels of JusticeStream

Guest Star
Series
2000

Billy Ray Cyrus Feat. Bryan Adams & Glenn Hughes: Hey Elvis

Music Performer
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2000

Wish You Were Dead

Actor
Dean Longo
Movie
2000

The Early Show

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1999

Love Boat: The Next Wave

Guest Star
Show
1998

The View

Guest
Talk
1997

The View

Music Performer
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1997

FOX and Friends

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News
1996

Access Hollywood

Guest
News
1996

Billy Ray Cyrus: Storm in the Heartland

Music Performer
Show
1994

The NannyStream

Guest Star
Series
1993

Diagnosis MurderStream

Guest Star
Series
1993

Dolly Parton, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Pam Tillis, Billy Ray Cyrus, Kathy Mattea & Tanya Tucker: Romeo

Music Performer
Show
1993

The Tonight Show With Jay Leno

Guest
Talk
1992

The Tonight Show With Jay Leno

Music Performer
Talk
1992

Billy Ray Cyrus: Could've Been Me

Music Performer
Show
1992

Billy Ray Cyrus: Achy Breaky Heart

Music Performer
Show
1992

Entertainment Tonight

Guest
News
1981

Good Morning America

Guest
News
1975

Good Morning America

Music Performer
News
1975

Today

Guest
News
1952

Today

Music Performer
News
1952

News aboutBilly Ray Cyrus