Tom Reese, born Thomas Allen on August 8, 1928, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, was surrounded by music from a young age. His father and uncle, "The Chattanooga Boys," were country-western singers who traveled the country performing bluegrass music with their family, including Tom, in tow. The Allens relocated to New York around 1940, where Tom's father worked as a steelworker during the day and a singing waiter at night to support the family.
As a young man, Tom held various odd jobs in New York, including working as an Automat busboy and usher. He also served two tours of duty in the Marine Corps, starting at the age of 17. After his military service, Tom studied dramatics at the American Theater Wing under the G.I. Bill and spent 15 years working nightclubs, emceeing, and doing stand-up comedy.
Tom's early film career began with John Cassavetes' 1958 film "Shadows," in which he made his film debut. Cassavetes also cast Reese in an episode of his detective series "Johnny Staccato" in 1959, marking Reese's Hollywood debut. After completing the show, Reese was ready to return to New York, but an agent signed him, and he has been based in California ever since.
Reese's first major film was "Flaming Star" in 1960, an Elvis Presley western that launched his long career in big- and small-screen westerns. He went on to appear in popular TV shows such as "Gunsmoke," "Bonanza," "The Virginian," "Rawhide," and "Branded," cementing his status as a staple of the oater genre.
