Is it normal for a 10 year-old to practice sitcom double-takes in the backyard? Back home in Indiana, I probably used my dad's old camcorder more than he did. Acting was an ever-present vocation. The thing that got me out of detention is now the thing that puts (gluten free, lately) bread on the table. I knew it would be a way of life, but I didn't know it'd end up saving mine.
Every artist has a metamorphoses along their creative path, where evolution breeds transcendence. Although still in its infancy, mine has been at the helm of some of the finest artists and teachers in this business. That's where I've been lucky. Also lottery commercials, funny enough.
Chicago taught me the work.
New York taught me the style.
We've now settled in LA. 13 years in this business, and my artistic journey continues to be the most incredible adventure of storytelling. Thanks for coming by. Here's a bit about my work (in the 3rd person).
- Tom
About
Tom's training includes the famed The Second City Conservatory, The iO Theatre, Chicago's Artistic Home, and Purdue University where he was named the first recipient of their Outstanding Alumni Award in Film & Video Studies.
Teachers, Coaches & Mentors: Ted Sluberski, Bob Krakower, Kathy Scambiatterra, Matthew Miller, Rusty Schwimmer
Comedy: Susan Messing, Tom O'Malley, Norm Holly, Charna Halpern, Jason Shotts, David Koechner, Craig Uhlir and so many more.
With appearances on Chicago PD, Shameless, BULL, and the Emmy Winning The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, he has also done over 40 films including his breakout role in The Life & Death of an Unhappily Married Man.
The film went on a 50 city international film festival tour winning over 20 awards including 14 Best Film Awards and along with over 30 nominations. Winning Best Actor (ARFF) and Actor of the Year (TAFF), he garnered acclaim for a "truly great lead performance" (Jason Whyte, eFilmCritic.com). Dan Schechter, RIFF juror and writer/director of Life of Crime (Jennifer Anniston, Tim Robbins) said:
"His performance sneaks up on you and before you realize it, his charm has really got you rooting for him and caring about him."
That year, Whistler International Film Festival named it a Top Pick alongside Carol (Cate Blanchett), Trumbo (Bryan Cranston), and Born To Be Blue (Ethan Hawke). The film went on to win the Canada Int'l Film Festival "Rising Star Award" and the "Extra Mile Award" from the Sydney Indie Film Festival. Following a worldwide release, it became a "Top-Selling Comedy" distributed through Time-Warner, Sony, Amazon, and iTunes platforms.
Since then, he has appeared in a number of films including Keep The Change (Best U.S. Film Winner, Tribeca Film Festival - Kino Lorber North American Theatrical) and Hustlers starring Jennifer Lopez which grossed $157.6 million globally. Most recently, he appeared in the multi-award winning film Skeletons alongside Robin Lord Taylor (Gotham) currently streaming on Dekkoo.
Writing, Producing, Promotions
Tom is the creator, producer, and writing supervisor of Greetings! From Prison, an award-winning dark comedy series starring himself along with Rusty Schwimmer (The Perfect Storm), John Reynolds (Stranger Things), and Chris Redd (Saturday Night Live). Awards: Silver Award Winner for Excellence in Internet Television (DC Webfest), Best Premise and Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series (LA Webfest).
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Tom is also a media promoter for Live Events (Dreamforce), Publishing (Achilles Battle Fleet), and a long list of feature and documentary films.
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Tom is the Founder of WorkingActorPro.com, a premiere coaching resource for working actors.
Recent Projects
Tom was born to a large Irish Catholic family in Cleveland, Ohio. At 14, he began his creative work by taking music, singing, and acting classes while making small indie films and running his own radio show in Lafayette, IN. where he spent his formative years.
He lives with his wife Natasha Coppola-Shalom, his son Rowan, and their dogs Padfoot and Rory splitting their time between Los Angeles and New York.
Contact
