• Bill Dance is a famous American fisherman and TV show host
• He is known for hosting "Bill Dance Outdoors"
• He won 7 B.A.S.S titles and 23 National Bass Fishing titles
• He had a heart attack in 2019 while shooting his show
• His net worth is estimated to be over $4 million



Known for movies

Short Info

Date Of BirthOctober 7, 1940
SpouseDianne


Who is Bill Dance?

William George ‘Bill’ Dance, Jr. was born in Lynchburg, Virginia USA, on 7 October 1940 – his zodiac sign is Libra, and he holds American nationality. He’s a fisherman and TV show host, who’s known best for hosting his own fishing show “Bill Dance Outdoors”, which has been airing on the Outdoor Channel since 5 January 1968. Each of the 900 episodes is 30 minutes long, and features Bill teaching his viewers about various fishing techniques, and how to catch fish such as Smallmouth and Largemouth bass.

Early life and education

Bill was raised in Lynchburg by his father William Dance who was a physician, and mother whose name and profession remain undisclosed, while it’s believed that she was a nurse. Because Bill hasn’t spoken of having any siblings, most of his fans believe him to be an only child.

He looked up to his father while growing up, and dreamed of becoming a doctor, which was why he focused on studying and was amongst the top five of his class while attending a local high school. He matriculated in 1959 and enrolled at college, however, Bill was involved in a motorcycle accident in 1961, which apparently changed his mind about becoming a doctor.

He then ventured into fishing, and because Bill hasn’t mentioned graduating from college, it’s unknown whether he holds a  degree.

Career as a professional fisherman

Bill began competing in bass tournaments in 1963, sponsored by a fishing lure manufacturer who suggested that Bill should start his own TV show. After gaining some recognition, his show started airing on the ABC-affiliated TV station WHBQ in 1968.

Bill has since competed in various tournaments, and has been running his show “Bill Dance Outdoors” for more than 54 years now; he has also been running his second show “Bill Dance Saltwater” since 2009.

Image source

He’s easily recognized by his Tennessee Volunteers baseball cap, which he received from their coach Douglas Adair ‘Doug’ Dickey back in 1969; also Bill always wears sunglasses.

He’s today running the company Th3 Legends, selling signature products, together with fishermen Jimmy Houston and Roland Martin.

Awards and accolades

Bill was the first person to catch a bass in the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B. A. S. S.) competition.

He was named B. A. S. S. Angler of the Year in 1970, 1974 and 1977, and has won 7 B. A. S. S. titles, as well as 23 National Bass Fishing titles.

Bill was inducted into the National Freshwater Hall of Fame in 1986, and has also been inducted into the International Game Fish Association’s Hall of Fame.

YouTube channel

Bill launched his YouTube channel “billdancefishing” on 9 October 2008, and it’s today subscribed to by close to 100,000 people, and numbers over 25 million views of all his videos combined. Most of these feature him fishing, showing off the fish which he’s caught and giving his fans advice on how to fish and which equipment to use; we’re going to mention three of Bill’s most popular videos, which have helped him attract many subscribers.

His #1 video “BDO13 Bloopers Volume 1” has been watched close to five million times, and shows the many times when Bill accidentally fell into the water, when he was hit by falling trees, and when his equipment fell into the water.

His second most popular video “BDO13 Bloopers Volume 2” has been viewed close to four million times, and is another compilation of Bill’s unfortunate moments.

Third on Bill’s list of most popular videos is “BDO13 Bloopers Volume 5”, watched more than three million times, and it’s yet another compilation of Bill’s unfortunate moments.

Wife and children

Bill prefers to keep the details of his private life to himself, but has still allowed his fans to have a glimpse into it.

He’s today living in Eads, Shelby County, Tennessee with his non-celebrity American wife Diane Dance. The date of their wedding remains unknown, while some of Bill’s fans believe that they met while they were both attending the same high school, and that they exchanged vows following Bill’s motorcycle accident.

They have three sons together, named Bill, Patrick and Paul, as well as daughter Pamela.

Bill has revealed that his job requires him to spend a lot of time away from home, and that he has little to no time to spend with his wife and children, but has also stated that his family is supportive of his career.

He hasn’t spoken of any other women whom he has perhaps been with, and as of April 2022, Bill’s married to Diane Dance, and they have four children together.

Hobbies and interesting facts

Bill can rarely be seen fishing at locations which are often used by other fishermen, mostly because people tend to recognize him and then come to ask him for help and an autograph, making it impossible for him to fish there.

He’s travelled to various US states and European countries for both work and pleasure, while his favorite place to travel to is perhaps North Idaho, because he enjoys fishing at Lake Coeur d’Alene.

Bill’s a fan of Hollywood movies – his favorite actors and actresses include Robert De Niro, Bruce Willis and Julia Roberts, while a couple of his favorite films are the trilogy “The Godfather”, “Die Hard” and “Pretty Woman”.

He’s an animal lover, and has had several pet dogs, while Bill has also donated money to various animal shelters.

He was physically highly active during his 20s and 30s, and often played sports with his friends, while he also had a couple of training sessions at the gym every week.

Heart attack

While shooting for this show “Bill Dance Outdoors” in 2019, Bill suffered a heart attack. He was rushed to a hospital and had to undergo emergency heart surgery, after which he spent some time recovering at the Arkansas Hospital Mountain Home; as soon as he was released, Bill returned to fishing, and shooting for “Bill Dance Outdoors”.

Age, height and net worth

Bill’s age is 81. He has short gray hair and brown eyes, his height is 5ft 8ins (1.75m) and he weighs around 165lbs (75kgs).

As of April 2022, his net worth stands at more than $4 million.

General Info

Full NameBill Dance
Date Of BirthOctober 7, 1940
Place Of BirthTennessee, United States
NationalityAmerican

Family

SpouseDianne
ChildrenPamela Dance

Accomplishments

MoviesBeing There

Social profile links

Pictures

Movies

Casting Department

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Jenny2013Video short extras casting
Tale of Two Dads2013Short extras casting
Zephyr Springs2013extras casting
Crooked Arrows2012extras casting: Los Angeles
Project X2012extras casting
When You Find Me2011Short extras casting
The Hangover Part II2011extras casting
Monster Mutt2011extras casting
Beginners2010extras casting: Bill Dance Casting
Alice in Wonderland2010/Iextras casting
20122009/Iextras casting
Angels & Demons2009extras casting
Yes Man2008extras casting
Frost/Nixon2008extras casting
Cane2007TV Series extras casting - 1 episode
What Love Is2007extras casting
The Number 232007extras casting
Hollywoodland2006extras casting
Southland Tales2006extras casting: Bill Dance Casting
Secret History of Religion: Doomsday - Book of Revelation2006TV Movie casting assistant
Secret History of Religion: Knights Templar2006TV Movie casting assistant
The Exorcism of Emily Rose2005extras casting: additional photography, Los Angeles
Red Eye2005extras casting
Fat Actress2005TV Series extras casting - 1 episode
Michael Blanco2004extras casting
Cruel Intentions 32004Video extras casting
Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus2004TV Movie extras casting
Seabiscuit2003extras casting - uncredited
Undermind2003extras casting: second unit
Down with Love2003extras casting
Chasing Papi2003extras casting
Phone Booth2002extra's casting
Bad Boy2002extras casting
A Beautiful Mind2001extras casting
Alone with a Stranger2001extras casting
61*2001TV Movie extras casting: Los Angeles
Golden Dreams2001Short extras casting
Pursuit of Happiness2001extras casting
How the Grinch Stole Christmas2000extras casting
The Last Dance2000TV Movie extras casting
Going Home2000TV Movie extras casting
3 Strikes2000extras casting
Things You Can Tell Just by Looking at Her2000extras casting
Santa and Pete1999TV Movie extras casting
Silk Hope1999TV Movie extras casting
Fight Club1999extras casting
Inherit the Wind1999TV Movie extras casting
Edtv1999extras casting - uncredited
A Murder of Crows1998extras casting
The Christmas Wish1998TV Movie extras casting
Cab to Canada1998TV Movie extras casting
American History X1998extras casting
The Truman Show1998extras casting - uncredited
Alien: Resurrection1997extras casting
Judge and Jury1996extras casting
Pinocchio's Revenge1996extras casting
That Thing You Do!1996extras casting
A Face to Die For1996TV Movie extras casting
Sweet Temptation1996TV Movie extras casting
Female Perversions1996extras casting
Ed Wood1994extras casting
Trevor1994Short additional casting
And the Band Played On1993TV Movie casting assistant
Indecent Proposal1993extras casting
For Their Own Good1993TV Movie extras casting
Blind Side1993TV Movie extras casting
Hero1992/Iextras casting
Ted & Venus1991extras casting
Point Break1991extras casting
Our Sons1991TV Movie extras casting coordinator
True Colors1991extras casting
Menu for Murder1990TV Movie extras casting
My Blue Heaven1990/Iextras casting
Too Young to Die?1990TV Movie extras casting
Steel Magnolias1989extras casting
L.A. Takedown1989TV Movie extras casting
Out on the Edge1989TV Movie extras casting
Elvira: Mistress of the Dark1988extras casting coordinator - as William Dance
Maybe Baby1988TV Movie extras casting
Perfect People1988TV Movie extras casting coordinator
Proud Men1987TV Movie extras casting
Bad Guys1986extras casting
Hamburger: The Motion Picture1986extras casting - as William Dance
Gimme an 'F'1984dance casting - as William Dance / extras casting - as William Dance
Hot Dog... The Movie1984location casting - as William Dance
Downsizing2017extras casting post-production
The Masterpiece2017/IIextras casting post-production
What Still Remains2016extras casting coordinator post-production
Westworld2016TV Series extras casting - 1 episode
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping2016extras casting
The Nice Guys2016extras casting
After the Reality2016extras casting
Bosch2015-2016TV Series extras casting - 8 episodes
Teachers2016TV Series extras casting
Tomorrowland2015extras casting
Dream Corp LLC2014TV Movie extras casting
Sequestered2014TV Series extras casting - 1 episode
Shock Value2014extras casting
Bald2014Short extras casting
Dark Hearts2014/Iextras casting
Saving Mr. Banks2013extras casting

Actor

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Samurai Sportsman2004TV SeriesFishing Expert
Edtv1999Beauty Salon Owner (as William Dance)
Blind Side1993TV MovieMr. Dance
Elvira: Mistress of the Dark1988Messenger (as William Dance)
Being There1979Presidential Aide (as William Dance)
The Wild Party1975Party Guest

Casting Director

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Science of the Bible2006TV Series documentary 1 episode
Secret History of Religion: Doomsday - Book of Revelation2006TV Movie
Secret History of Religion: Knights Templar2006TV Movie
The Cross2001
Disney's California Adventure TV Special2001TV Special

Miscellaneous

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Blind Side1993TV Movie assistant: Mr. Murphy
Backdraft1991production assistant
Breaking Point1989TV Movie extras coordinator
Tequila Sunrise1988production aide - as William Dance

Thanks

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Jim Shoe2016special thanks
Angels & Demons: Decoded2009TV Movie documentary special thanks
Miami Blues1990special thanks: Strike King Productions

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia
Author

Benjy is currently a reporter for BiographyPedia based in Adelaide, Australia. Prior to joining BiographyPedia in July 2019, he was a Bizarre TV reporter and theatre critic at TheSun. Benjy has also written for DailyMail and TMZ. Benjy studied journalism at Goldsmiths University of London, graduating in 2009. You can contact him at [email protected].

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