Next person biography:
Tom Sommer's journey in the world of improv comedy and acting began when he returned to his hometown of Cleveland in 2008 to teach a master class at the prestigious Case Western Reserve University/Cleveland Play House graduate program. This marked a significant milestone in his career, as he had earned his Master of Fine Arts degree in the program back in 2004.
Sommer's passion for improv comedy was ignited during his time at the Cleveland Play House, where he honed his skills and performed with the renowned Upright Citizens Brigade improv troupe. However, the majority of his career has been dedicated to television and film, a testament to his versatility and talent as an actor.
Born in Toledo, Ohio, Sommer spent his childhood in Rocky River and Cuyahoga Falls before moving to Stillwater, Minnesota with his family when he was just eight years old. He graduated from Stillwater Area High School in 1996 and went on to study theater at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota.
After college, Sommer worked odd jobs and performed improv to make ends meet, but his ultimate goal was to become a full-time actor. His big break came when he discovered an advertisement for the Cleveland Play House graduate program in a theater magazine, which he promptly applied to.
It was during his time at the graduate program that Sommer met his future wife, Virginia Donohoe Sommer, a fellow student. The couple married in 2005 and moved to New York City before relocating to Los Angeles in 2007. Virginia is a full-time mom to their two children, Beatrice (born in 2007) and Patrick Ryan (born on August 31, 2010).
As he looked back on his career, Sommer had always wished for one iconic role that he could share with his grandchildren. With his portrayal of Sal Romano on the hit TV series "Mad Men," he has finally achieved that legacy.