Tom Vera's Early Life and Family
Tom Vera was born Keith Thomas Rivera on February 28, 1986, in Fresno, California, to a family with a rich cultural heritage. His mother, Laura Heagerty (Soares),a nurse from Fresno, and his father, Mark Rivera, a retired UPS driver from Salinas, California, have Mexican, Native American, English, German, Portuguese, and Danish ancestry.
Growing Up in Fresno and Redlands
Tom was raised in Fresno until his parents' divorce, after which he moved to Redlands, California, with his mother and older sister, Regina Chessari (Rivera),at the age of nine. During his childhood, Tom developed an interest in the arts and played Little League baseball, club soccer, and became involved in various extracurricular activities.
Education and Athletic Achievements
Tom graduated from Redlands East Valley High School in 2004, where he was a multi-sport athlete, participating in football, soccer, and track and field. He then attended California State University, San Bernardino, where he earned dual degrees in Geology and Geology Environmental Science with honors.
Post-Graduation and Career in Petroleum Geology
After completing his undergraduate studies, Tom pursued his Master's Degree in Petroleum Geology at Oklahoma State University. Following his graduation, he moved to Houston, Texas, and began working in the oil industry. During this time, he met his wife, Amy Rivera (Statler).
Acting and Modeling Career
In addition to his work in the oil industry, Tom continued to pursue his passion for acting and modeling, taking on local and independent projects. One of his notable roles was as Bruce Stryker in the 2020 film Narco Sub.
