Tom O’Folliard’s Fate in Billy the Kid S2E4 vs. His Fate in Real Life

The future of one of the closest real-life friends of Billy the Kid has become uncertain in season 2, episode 4 of the MGM+ series.

Billy the Kid features the exponential rise of the notorious outlaw, William H. Bonney, into becoming a legendary figure in the Old West.

In the premier of Billy the Kid season 2, Billy ignores Tom, thinking he is just another fan trying to sneak a peak at him. However, after hearing his story, the outlaw takes him under his wing, and that’s where their iconic bond begins. 

Tom reveals to Billy that he, too, is an orphan, and that strikes a cord in Billy’s heart. 

Billy includes him within the gang and intensely desires to protect his friend. However, that becomes an ordeal as we progress in the season because of the growing threat of Jesse Evans’ Gang and the start of the Lincoln County War.

Moreover, Tom proves to be highly loyal and an eager fighter alongside the Regulators. 

Even after the disastrous murder of Sheriff Brady, Billy does his best to look after him and devises an extensive plan to keep Tom safe.

Now, let’s take a bite from the memory lane and find out what happened to the real-life Tom. 

Tom O’Folliard was reportedly never shot during the ambush to kill Sheriff Brady. Instead, it was Billy the Kid who got shot in the leg, as reports suggest. 

According to historical accounts, Tom O’Folliard was wounded later during the Lincoln County War, which was the infamous Battle of Lincoln. 

Moreover, the real Tom was shot in the shoulder and not the leg when he was trying to escape from Alex McSween’s burning house.

Tom was one of the few former members of the Regulators who stuck with Billy the Kid even after the war.

Billy, Tom, and Charlie were all fugitives who would get along by stealing people’s food and cattle. 

Finally, Tom suffered the same fate as Billy and was shot dead by Lincoln County Sheriff Pat Garrett in 1880. He was buried next to Billy the Kid, and the two best friends rested in peace.

About Billy the Kid

Billy the Kid is an American Western drama television series created by Michael Hirst. Set in the 19th century in the American Old West, it stars Tom Blyth as outlaw and gunfighter Billy the Kid. The series premiered on Epix on April 24, 2022. In January 2023, the series was renewed for a second season which premiered on MGM+ on October 15, 2023.

The series is an epic romantic adventure based on the life of Billy the Kid, from his humble Irish roots and his early days as a cowboy and gunslinger in the American frontier to his pivotal role in the Lincoln County War and beyond.