Billy Ray Cyrus Biography: Billy Ray Cyrus born August 25, 1961 is an American singer, songwriter, and actor, widely recognized for his contributions to country music and television. Since his debut in 1992, he has released 16 studio albums and 53 singles. His breakthrough came with the hit single “Achy Breaky Heart,” which topped the U.S. Hot Country Songs chart and became the first single in Australia to achieve triple platinum status. The song’s success also popularized line dancing in the early ’90s. Cyrus is a multi-platinum recording artist with eight top-ten hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. His debut album, Some Gave All, remains his most successful, achieving 9× multi-platinum certification in the U.S. It spent a record 17 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, the longest run for any debut or country artist in the SoundScan era.
Billy Ray Cyrus Biography
Billy Ray Cyrus was born on August 25, 1961, in Bellefonte, Kentucky, USA. He is an accomplished actor and writer, best known for his roles in Hannah Montana: The Movie (2009), The Spy Next Door (2010), and Mulholland Drive (2001). Throughout his personal life, he has been married to Firerose, Tish Cyrus, and Cindy Smith. His father, Ron Cyrus, was a politician in Kentucky, and his parents divorced when Billy Ray was five years old.
Billy Ray Cyrus Biography 2025 Details
| Born |
William Ray Cyrus
August 25, 1961 Flatwoods, Kentucky, U.S.
|
|---|---|
| Alma mater | Georgetown College |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1989–present |
| Spouses |
|
| Children | 6, including Brandi, Trace, Miley, and Noah Cyrus |
| Father | Ron Cyrus |
| Category | Singers Bio |
See More:
About Billy Ray Cyrus
William Ray Cyrus is an American singer, songwriter and actor. 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.
Billy Ray Cyrus Personal Life
His grandfather was a Pentecostal preacher, which contributed to the strong gospel and bluegrass influences in his early life. Interestingly, his breakout hit “Achy Breaky Heart” was originally titled “Don’t Tell My Heart.” The title was later changed due to audiences consistently referring to it as “that achy breaky song” during his live performances. Billy Ray also attended Morehead State University, located in Morehead, Kentucky—approximately 60 miles from his hometown of Flatwoods.
Billy Ray Cyrus Wiki
- Born: 25 August 1961 (age 63 years), Flatwoods, Kentucky, United States
- Spouse: Firerose (m. 2023–2024), Tish Cyrus (m. 1993–2022), Cindy Smith (m. 1986–1991)
- Children: Noah Cyrus, Miley Cyrus, Trace Cyrus, Christopher Cody, Braison Cyrus
- Height: 1.83 m
Early Life
Billy Ray Cyrus was born on August 25, 1961, in Flatwoods, Kentucky, to Ron Cyrus, a steelworker who later became a politician, and Ruth Ann Casto. He began singing at the age of four and was raised in a musically inclined family, with strong influences of bluegrass and gospel music. His grandfather was a Pentecostal preacher, further enriching his early exposure to spiritual and traditional sounds.
After his parents divorced in 1966, Cyrus continued to develop a passion for music. Although his father was right-handed and played the guitar, Billy Ray, being left-handed, found it difficult to play the same instrument. He initially attended Georgetown College on a baseball scholarship but decided to shift his focus to music after being inspired by a Neil Diamond concert. During his junior year, he dropped out of college and gave himself ten months to launch a music career.
Billy Ray Cyrus Overview
- Category: Richest Celebrities › Singers
- Net Worth: $10 Million
- Birthdate: August 25, 1961 (63 years old)
- Birthplace: Flatwoods, Kentucky
- Height: 6 ft (1.83 m)
- Nationality: United States
- Professions: Singer-songwriter, Actor, Guitarist, Musician, Television Producer, Philanthropist
Music Career
Cyrus’s music career took off in the early ’90s with Some Gave All, which produced four Top 40 hits. Despite mixed success with later albums, he achieved critical acclaim in 1996 with Trail of Tears. After parting ways with Mercury Records, he released additional albums through Monument Records and later transitioned briefly into Christian music. His return to the spotlight came through the remix of “Old Town Road” with Lil Nas X, which spent 19 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned him two Grammy wins. To date, Cyrus has released 16 studio albums and 53 singles, solidifying his legacy in both country and pop music.
Acting Career
Beyond music, Cyrus has found success on screen. He starred in Doc (2001–2004), had a role in Mulholland Drive (2001), and appeared in several other television and stage productions. From 2006 to 2011, he played Robby Ray Stewart on Hannah Montana. He also starred in Still the King (2016–2017) and appeared in various films including The Spy Next Door and Sharknado 2. He’s produced several TV shows and served on the advisory board of the Parents Television Council.
Awards & Recognition
Cyrus has won more than 40 awards throughout his career, including American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and Academy of Country Music Awards. In 2020, he won two Grammy Awards for his collaboration on “Old Town Road.”
Personal Life
Billy Ray Cyrus has been married twice and has six children, including Miley, Trace, and Noah Cyrus—all of whom are musicians. His first child, Christopher, was born in the 1980s from a previous relationship. He was married to Cindy Smith from 1986 to 1991, and to Tish Cyrus from 1993 to 2022, with whom he raised five children, including two from her previous relationships. He became a grandfather in 2021 and got engaged to Australian singer Firerose in 2022. The family once lived on a 500-acre farm near Nashville before moving to Los Angeles for Miley’s acting career. Despite several attempts at divorce, Billy Ray and Tish finalized their separation after nearly three decades of marriage.
Billy Ray Cyrus Net Worth 2025
Billy Ray Cyrus is an American country music artist and actor with an estimated net worth of $10 million. He rose to fame with the 1992 breakout hit “Achy Breaky Heart,” which topped the U.S. country charts and propelled his debut album Some Gave All to record-breaking success. The album held the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 for 17 straight weeks and became one of the best-selling debut albums of all time. Cyrus followed up his musical success with a solid acting career, starring in the popular Disney Channel series Hannah Montana alongside his daughter Miley Cyrus. In 2019, he experienced a resurgence in popularity through his collaboration with Lil Nas X on the genre-blending megahit “Old Town Road,” which earned him his first two Grammy Awards.
FAQs
How did Billy Ray Cyrus become famous?
Billy Ray Cyrus gained national fame with his 1992 hit single “Achy Breaky Heart,” which topped the U.S. country charts. The song’s popularity helped launch his debut album Some Gave All, which stayed at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 for a record 17 consecutive weeks.
What was Billy Ray Cyrus’s role in Hannah Montana?
Billy Ray Cyrus played Robby Ray Stewart, the father of the main character Miley Stewart (played by his real-life daughter Miley Cyrus), in the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana. He starred on the show from 2006 to 2011.
What awards has Billy Ray Cyrus won?
Billy Ray Cyrus has won over 40 major awards including American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and two Grammy Awards for his collaboration with Lil Nas X on the song “Old Town Road.”
What is the story behind the band Sly Dog?
Before achieving fame, Billy Ray Cyrus was in a band called Sly Dog in the 1980s. The group was named after his one-eyed dog. During this time, Cyrus lived in his neighbor’s car while trying to land a record deal.
Did Billy Ray Cyrus pursue a career in sports?
Yes, he initially attended Georgetown College on a baseball scholarship. However, he left during his junior year to pursue music full-time after being inspired by a Neil Diamond concert.
Is Billy Ray Cyrus still active in music and acting?
Yes, Billy Ray Cyrus remains active in both music and acting. He continues to release music, with recent success coming from “Old Town Road,” and he has acted in various TV series and movies including Still the King and Christmas in Paradise.