| “ | Sweetest little jazz killer in Chicago. That's the angle I'm after. | „ |
| ~ Billy talking to Amos about his campaign on helping Roxie. |
| “ | My client feels that it was the combination of liquor and jazz that led to her downfall. | „ |
| ~ Billy to the reporters in his campaign for Roxie's defence. |
Billy Flynn is both the tritagonist and main antagonist of the musical, Chicago and all of its adaptations.
In the original Broadway version of the musical, he was played by Jerry Orbach.
In the 2002 film he was portrayed by Richard Gere, who also portrayed Dennis Peck.
History
Billy Flynn is a heavily corrupt lawyer notorious for getting unrepentant murderers freed. After Roxie murders her lover Fred Casely, whom she was committing adultery with, she hears about what Billy Flynn did for another murderess, the infamous Velma Kelly, and he becomes her lawyer. Despite representing her, he has little regard or concern for her well-being, or for that matter the well-being of any of his clients, and makes it abundantly clear that he is doing it only for the money. He shows signs that he would eagerly abandon his clients for a richer, more famous one if he had the chance. He also has no shame about manipulating Roxie's innocent husband Amos and making him the media scapegoat for Roxie's crimes. In the end he manages to get Roxie acquitted, largely on account of turning the trial into a media circus. Afterwards he happily leaves Roxie to fend for herself, again showing that he never cared about her in the slightest. During the movie he is seen in the audience during the final number applauding Roxie and Velma.
Personality
Billy is a calm, smooth-talking and charismatic lawyer who always looks for loopholes and twists the truth in order for him to win his clients' cases. He is incredibly confident and manipulative and always uses whatever lie he can think of as long as it helps his clients. He is also flamboyant and narcissistic in the way that he can tell he is superior to everyone around him and always uses his charisma to assist him whenever possible. He is genuinely polite and determined despite being rather selfish and in the cases for himself.
Quotes
| “ | Shut up dummy. | „ |
| ~ Billy to Roxie before singing We both reached for the gun. |
| “ | They'll love you a lot more when you hang. You know why? Cause that sells more papers! | „ |
| ~ Billy during his argument with Roxie. |
| “ | That's Chicago. | „ |
| ~ Billy to Roxie. |
Trivia
- Hugh Jackman was apparently offered the role but declined due to him thinking he was too young.