Thomas Joseph Strada, also known as Tommy Gunn, was born in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. As a child, he was a "hyper kid" who required a great deal of attention due to his small stature, often asking his mother when he would grow up.
During his early years, Tommy developed an interest in various activities, including sports, BMX bicycles, and motorcycles, as well as soccer. He was initially shy around girls, but this changed when he noticed how girls were drawn to bigger and more muscular men, leading him to take up bodybuilding.
Tommy's early foray into bodybuilding resulted in him entering a "hot body" contest at a local bar, although he ultimately lost. However, this experience led him to meet a man who offered him work as a stripper. For the next ten years, Tommy worked as a male stripper, traveling extensively throughout the United States and the world.
One of Tommy's girlfriends, who was also a stripper, asked him to join her on a trip to Los Angeles to pursue a career in pornography. While in Los Angeles, Tommy met fellow porn actor Brad Armstrong, who took him under his wing and helped him establish a successful career in the industry.
Throughout his career, Tommy has received numerous awards and accolades, including the AVN Best Supporting Actor award in 2006 and the AVN Male Performer of the Year award in 2007.
