Tom's early life was marked by a series of significant moves, commencing with his birth in Chenaultt, Kentucky during the 1930s. He spent his formative years in Hammond, Indiana, where he attended Lafayette Elementary School on Calumet Avenue. At the tender age of 14, Tom relocated to Andyville, Kentucky, and subsequently dropped out of high school.
Growing up, Tom was deeply involved in his family's farm, which also housed a poolroom and beer bar. He developed a passion for music, frequently tuning into country and popular radio stations and singing along to his favorite tunes. As rock and roll began to emerge from its country and rhythm and blues roots, Tom became an ardent fan.
At the age of 16, Tom's family made the move to Louisville, where he secured employment at a service station, pumping gas for the cars of the day. Gas prices were a mere 22 cents per gallon in 1955, while a brand new Chevy would set one back approximately $1600. Tom diligently saved up $400 and, at the age of 17, made the bold decision to relocate to Los Angeles, driven by his aspirations to break into the film industry.
Fast forward 23 years, and Tom made his debut as an extra in the 1979 film Players, alongside Dean Paul Martin. This marked the beginning of a remarkable career, with Tom going on to appear in over 100 feature films as an extra. His big break eventually arrived.
The successful TV series Dear John (1988) catapulted Tom to stardom, with him serving as a cast member for the entire 4-year run on NBC TV. In addition to his acting pursuits, Tom has also enjoyed success as a radio announcer, musician, songwriter, and stand-up comic.
