Early in his directing career he wrote, produced, and directed many episodes of REAL STORIES OF THE HIGHWAY PATROL, a number-one rated, nationally-syndicated TV show, which he shot all over the U.S. and Canada.

 

He won the 1998 BEST DIRECTOR award for “Outstanding Achievement in Direction” for his feature film ESCAPE FROM CUBA, given annually by the New Star Discovery Awards. He also won the 1995 PRODUCERS’ CHOICE AWARD for “Outstanding Direction of a Television Variety Program,” for a live telecast of the 1995 Miss North America Pageant.

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Tom has directed hundreds of national and international TV commercials.

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Tom no longer acts, but now directs as well as produces and writes on a full-time basis. Before becoming a screen director he had a recurring role on the #1-rated daytime soap, GENERAL HOSPITAL on and off for 13 years playing “Gary.” He also had a one-year recurring role on DAYS OF OUR LIVES, as well as principal roles on other soaps including the YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS and CAPITOL.

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He also had Co-Starring roles on such prime time TV series as CHIPS (NBC), JAMES AT 16 (NBC), THE HARDY BOYS (ABC), PROJECT UFO (NBC), WHAT’S HAPPENING! (ABC), DUSTY’S TREEHOUSE (CBS), CPO SHARKEY (NBC), PLEASE STAND-BY (NBC), THE NANCY DREW MYSTERY SERIES, and many more.

 

In addition, he had Starring or Co-Starring roles in many movies for TV including, THE BEST PLACE TO BE (NBC), starring Donna Reed, Timothy Hutton, and Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., and THE NATIONAL DISASTER SURVIVAL (NBC) for the NBC BIG EVENT. He has starred in dozens of national television commercials including McDONALDS, HONDA, COKE, COPPERTONE, BURGER KING, to name but a few.

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Tom had principal roles in such feature films as MASSACRE AT CENTRAL HIGH (Co-Star), which is on the “New York Times 20 Best Film List,” THE BEACH GIRLS (Featured) for Paramount, GETTING READY (Star), as well as others. He also had starring roles in over 70 live stage productions including such Broadway shows as MAME, APPLAUSE, and YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN in New York, as well as many national tours.
 

Before directing feature films, Tom was an acting coach whose clients included top stars from all three major networks as well as film stars, Academy Award Nominees, top baseball and football players, rock stars, and many other well-known personalities. He has been interviewed on many national talk shows in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, including INSIDE EDITION, ACCESS HOLLYWOOD, CNN, etc.

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He is the winner of the prestigious GOLDEN HALO AWARD for “The Most Outstanding Contribution to the Entertainment Industry” for his contributions made as an acting instructor for the studios and for his acting seminars held worldwide. He is also the winner of the BRONZE HALO AWARD for “Outstanding Contributions to the Entertainment Industry” for authoring his best-selling books. Both awards are given annually by the SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MOTION PICTURE COUNCIL.

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Tom’s first book, HOW TO ACT AND EAT AT THE SAME TIME, is in its SECOND EDITION, Fifth Printing. It has endorsements on the back cover from such stars as Lucille Ball, Charlton Heston, Debbie Reynolds, well-known agents, producers, directors, etc.

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His second book, ACTING IN THE MILLION DOLLAR MINUTE, which is solely about commercials is in its Second Printing and contains endorsements on the back cover from such commercial stars as Dick Wilson (“Mr. Whipple” of Charmin bathroom tissue), and Virginia Christine (“Mrs. Olson” of Folgers Coffee), to name a few.

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His third book, HOW TO ACT AND EAT AT THE SAME TIME, (the Sequel) has back cover endorsements from the above stars plus Academy Award-winning directors, etc., and is in its Second Printing.

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Tom’s fourth book, ACTING IN THE MILLION DOLLAR MINUTE, (the Sequel), is in its Second Printing. All of Tom’s books are Best-Sellers, in bookstores worldwide, and are required reading in hundreds of universities internationally. All four books have been reviewed by major newspapers and magazines with rave reviews including the Los Angeles Times, Backstage, Hollywood Reporter, Variety, and many more.

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Tom has performed his acting seminars in 5 countries and 47 states for the same clients for the past 30-plus years.

 

He holds a B.A. Degree (Cum Laude, Honor Roll, Dean’s List) in Theatre Arts from California State University, Northridge.

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He headed the TV/Film & Commercial acting departments in Los Angeles at two of the most prestigious acting schools worldwide – the AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DRAMATIC ARTS (1981-89), and THE AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE (1980-89).

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Tom holds the highest airplane pilot rating one can obtain from the FAA – AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT. He is an instrument-rated, commercial pilot who holds all instructor ratings certified by the FAA – Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), Certified Flight Instrument Instructor (CFII), Multi-engine Instructor/Instrument (MEI), Basic Ground Instructor (BGI), Advanced Ground Instructor (AGI), and Instrument Ground Instructor (IGI). Although he does not have time to teach flying, he is a member of the National Association of Flight Instructors and is a member of the American Medical Support Flight Team (Angel Flight) where pilots donate their time and aircraft to fly patients to hospitals that are unable to pay for such services.

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Tom has two sons and resides in Newport Beach, California.