Billy Ray Cyrus's Real Name: William Ray Cyrus

Quick answer: Billy Ray Cyrus's documented full name is William Ray Cyrus. He was born on August 25, 1961. He is a country singer and actor best known for the 1992 hit "Achy Breaky Heart," later television work on Hannah Montana, and a featured turn on the remix of "Old Town Road" (Britannica).

Real name and early life

Britannica gives his full name as William Ray Cyrus and lists that form under "also known as." It records the birth date August 25, 1961, in Bellefonte, Kentucky, and says he grew up in Flatwoods, Kentucky. The Library of Congress heading is "Cyrus, Billy Ray, 1961-." A Library of Congress citation to a 1993 biography gives the same date but the birthplace Ashland, Kentucky, which conflicts with Britannica's Bellefonte; this page follows Britannica for the birthplace and notes the difference. He attended Georgetown College in Kentucky on a baseball scholarship, Britannica says, formed the country-rock band Sly Dog with his brother, then left college to play music full-time. After a stretch in Los Angeles, he returned to Kentucky. In 1991 Mercury Records signed him after a scout saw him open for Reba McEntire in Louisville.

Career highlights

His debut album, Some Gave All (1992), reached number one on the country and pop charts and sold nine million copies in the United States, Britannica says. The lead single, "Achy Breaky Heart," went to number one on the country charts and number four on the pop charts, won single of the year at the Country Music Association Awards, and helped popularize line dancing. Johnny Cash was among the musicians who expressed support for his crossover appeal, Britannica says. Later 1990s albums included Trail of Tears (1996) and Shot Full of Love (1998).

In 2001 he landed the lead in the television series Doc (2001–04). He then played Robby Ray Stewart, the father of the title character, on the Disney series Hannah Montana (2006–11), acting opposite his daughter Miley Cyrus; a feature film followed in 2009. In 2019 he appeared on Lil Nas X's remix of "Old Town Road," which spent a record-setting 19 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and won Grammy Awards for best music video and best pop duo/group performance. In 2023 he contributed guest vocals to Shania Twain's album Queen of Me.

Name notes for searchers

William Ray Cyrus is the documented full name; he has recorded and performed as Billy Ray Cyrus. Searchers looking for either form are usually aiming at the same person.