You may have seen Brian Thornton portray rugged men who take care of business—sometimes the good kind, sometimes the bad. Either way, you love to hate him or hate to love him. Over a span of 30 years, his credits include Fear the Walking Dead, Queen of the South, Longmire, Preacher, Friday Night Lights, and many more.

Despite his successful on-screen career, Brian’s most important role was that of a widower and father to two young sons, aged 2 and 4, after losing his wife in 1998. With limited resources, he chose to prioritize short-term production commitments to be present for his family. Limiting acting opportunities further diminishes an actor’s chance to “break out” and harms the professional reputation industry-wide. Fatherhood meant that much.

For three decades, he landed many memorable roles, but the struggle was real. He needed to stay present and provide for his third son from a second marriage, and acting roles became non-existent in the state of Texas. From these struggles came extremely valuable knowledge and management skills. So, in 2017, he stepped away from acting and founded the “Clear Performance Acting Academy.” This academy mentors actors of all levels, promoting a healthy and balanced approach to the industry for both actors and their families. His Carl Jung-based processes provide depth and safety for actors willing to put in the work.

In January 2025, Brian returned to his passion in front of the camera, fully supported by his amazing grown sons.