Billy Bob Thornton shared his thoughts on Jerry Jones' surprise guest appearance inLandmanseason 1.Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, made a cameo appearancein the ninth episode of the first season ofLandman, playing himself. In the episode, which aired on June 26, 2025, Jones visitedJon Hamm’s character, Monty Miller, in a hospital after Miller suffered a heart attack. Jones delivered a heartfelt speech about the importance of family, sharing how he brought his kids into his oil and gas business and the Cowboys organization. This became one of thebest moments inLandmanseason 1.
Billy Bob Thornton revealed his candid reaction to Jerry Jones’ cameo at theNewport Beach TV Fest’sLandmanpanelheld on Saturday, July 29, 2025. Thornton, who plays the lead protagonist ofLandman, Tommy Norris, noted that Jones' monologue was mostly the actual man telling an anecdote of his life story. Jones, who is now 82 years old, purchased the Dallas Cowboys in February 1989 for $140 million.The NFL team is valued at $10.32 billion as of October 2024and became the first sports franchise ever to surpass the $10 billion amount (viaFox Sports).
Jon Hamm and I looked at each other, and we were like, “What?” I mean, it was insanely good. We got so wrapped up in it, and Jerry teared up. There was something in the script. Jerry had told his life story to Taylor, so Taylor essentially said, ‘Tell your life story in the scene. I put some of what you told me in here. Go from that.’ So Jerry was basically just telling us his actual life story, and the way he bought the Cowboys, and the whole thing.
What Billy Bob Thornton’s Reaction To Jerry Jones' Cameo Means For Landman
Thronton Applauds Jones' Natural Effectiveness & Sheridan’s Sharp Vision To Bring It Out Of Him
Billy Bob Thornton was astounded by how authentic and gripping Jerry Jones' monologue was in Landman season 1, episode 9. His looking at co-star Jon Hamm while filming the scene was a testament to how natural and effective Jones' cameo was, especially given that Jones was not a veteran actor like the two of them. To Jones' credit, he has appeared as himself before ina handful of TV shows, such asThe League,Entourage, andCoach. That said, it was Jones' first acting performance since 2009 and instantly became one of his more memorable and meaningful ones.
Thornton also offers insight into how Jones wound up in an episode of Landman through his personal relationship with Taylor Sheridan. Sheridan had heard Jones' life story and brilliantly found a place for it during a critical moment for Monty toward the end ofLandmanseason 1, which further demonstrates how skilled and thoughtful Sheridan is as a storyteller. Jones' cameo appearance wouldn’t have made as much sense or impact if it were placed at any other point in the show.Jones warned Monty to embrace his family before it’s too late, a cautionary foreshadowing of events to come in theLandmanseason 1 finale.
Our Take On Jerry Jones' Heartfelt Landman Cameo
Jones Was So Notable He Could Return In Season 2
Jones’Landmancameo added a greater sense of authenticity to Monty’s character, considering he was part of the Texas elite as the owner of a massive oil company.Jerry arrives at the hospital as Monty’s friend, which fits with the types of circles that Monty ran with as a billionaire in Texas. While Monty is only a fictional character, Jones is currently valued at a very real $17.9 billion.
Hopefully, Sheridan can continue to find innovative ways to include other Texan iconsinLandmanseason 2 and add real-world authenticity in this way. While Jones is unlikely to return inLandmanseason 2, he may make an appearance at Monty’s funeral.
