A Man Lost an Eye to Cancer – So He Started Working as a Zombie Actor

“It’s tough when you get an itch in the corner of your eye and there’s nothing to scratch.”

Motorcyclist Billy Owen’s story is one of incredible resilience and transformation. He was devastated by cancer, but this same cancer led him to the next chapter of his life as a professional zombie actor.

His most notable appearances include performing at the Venice Beach Freakshow and Eli Roth’s Goretorium in Las Vegas. Additionally, he acted in a low-budget film titled “Drowned” and has been a scare actor at Fright Dome in Las Vegas​

Read on to discover how he turned his struggle into an inspiring career.

Motorcyclist Billy Owen

Before his cancer diagnosis, Billy Owen was a happy motorcycle mechanic living in Oklahoma.

He enjoyed working with bikes and had a loving family, including his wife and their six-month-old son. Life was good for Billy until he started experiencing troubling symptoms.

Fate Twisted the Story

Billy began having severe headaches and couldn’t breathe properly because his right nostril was completely blocked. 

Initially, doctors thought it was sinusitis, a common condition with inflamed nasal passages. They prescribed decongestants, but they didn’t help. 

It was Billy’s wife who urged him to see a specialist. On February 13, 2009, he received shocking news. He had sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC), a rare and aggressive form of cancer affecting the nasal cavity. 

By this time, the cancer had spread so much that Billy was given only a 10 percent chance of survival.

The Surgery That Cost His Eye

To save his life, doctors had to perform extensive surgery. They removed half of Billy’s face, including his right eye, as well as the muscles and nerves in his nasal cavity. 

This left him with a large hole where his eye used to be and a very limited sense of smell. The physical changes were drastic, and living with a missing eye posed many challenges.

Finding Himself and a New Career

Instead of succumbing to despair, Billy chose to embrace his new reality. He decided to use his unique appearance to his advantage and began a new career as a zombie actor. 

Billy’s striking look made him perfect for roles in music videos, films, and haunted houses. He even performed at the Venice Beach Freakshow in Los Angeles, where his story inspired many. 

Audiences were initially shocked by his appearance but were moved by his tale of bravery and positive thinking.

Back to Motorcycling

According to his Facebook updates, Billy has returned to motorcycling, a passion he held before his diagnosis. However, after 2023, there haven’t been any new updates on his Facebook. 

Billy continues to perform and spread his message of resilience and hope. He encourages everyone to find light even in the darkest of times.

Billy Owen’s journey from a life-threatening diagnosis to becoming a symbol of strength and resilience is truly inspiring. His story shows that even in the face of adversity, one can find a new path and thrive. Billy’s message of hope and perseverance is relevant to anyone facing tough times.