CELEBRITIES

Billy Ray Cyrus

BIO

Before being known as teen sensation Miley Cyrus’ dad, Billy Ray Cyrus rose to fame in his own right.

Born in August 1961, the Grammy-nominated country music singer created waves with his 1992 hit “Achy Breaky Heart.” The album the single was attached to, Some Gave All, went on to sell 20 million copies worldwide. Billy Ray has also had a solid acting career, starring in Doc from 2001 to 2004 before joining Miley on her popular Disney series, Hannah Montana, in 2005.

Billy Ray appeared on the fourth season of Dancing with the Stars. He and his pro partner, Karina Smirnoff, were the seventh couple to be eliminated that season. In addition, his eleventh album, Back to Tennessee, was released in April 2009. Billy Ray’s musical comeback continued with the formation of super-group Brother Clyde, in which he has collaborated with country staples Phil Vassar and Jeffrey Steele plus rocker John Waite.

He has been married to Leticia Finley since 1992, with whom he has three children (Miley, Noah Lindsey and Braison Chance), two stepchildren (Trace, of the pop band Metro Station, and Brandi) and one son from a previous relationship (Christopher Cody). He was previously married to songwriter Cindy Smith from 1986 to 1991.