Thomas G. Waites

This article is about the actor and acting teacher. For the singer and actor, see Tom Waits.
Thomas G. Waites
Born (1955-01-08) January 8, 1955
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Occupation Actor, director, playwright, teacher
Years active 1976–present
Spouse(s) Lisa Greenberg
Children 2
Website www.thomasgwaites.com

Thomas G. Waites (born January 8, 1955) is an American actor and acting instructor born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Waites runs an acting studio in New York City which is named for him. He has been a member of the Actors Studio since 1984.

Early life and education

Waites was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania the son of Michael and Anne Waites. He completed grade school at Immaculate Conception and then High School at Bishop Egan in Fairless Hills, PA. After one year at Bucks County Community College, he received a full scholarship for Acting at the Juilliard School in New York City, where he studied as a member of the Drama Division's Group 7 (1974–1978).[1] Some of his classmates included; Robin Williams, Christopher Reeve, and Frances Conroy. He received a B.A. degree in Writing from The New School and a Master of Fine Arts in Playwriting from the University of Iowa.[2]

Career

At 21 years Tom was offered 2 movies simultaneously. Snowbound, directed by Robert Young and Pity The Poor Soldier (title has subsequently changed) directed by Bill Jersey. Despite the fact that he was offered twice the money for Snowbound, Waites chose Pity the Poor Soldier because it was in celebration of the Centennial of the US Revolutionary War. Next Tom originated the roll of Oliver Treefe in Simon Gray's world premiere of Molly, at the First Annual Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC. After this highly acclaimed performance he returned to NYC to be cast as the lead in the Joan Micklin Silver produced, On The Yard (1978) co-starring John Heard. Subsequently Tom was offered a 3 picture option deal with Paramount Pictures. After very strong critical notices Tom auditioned for and got the lead in Walter Hill's, The Warriors (1979) playing the character Fox. After disputes with the director Tom was fired from this film. Subsequently when the studio asked him where he wanted his billing he told them to remove his name completely, a decision Tom regrets. He has since reconciled with Walter Hill. Three weeks after being fired from The Warriors Tom auditioned with Al Pacino, and was cast as Jeff McCullough in the Norman Jewison film, ...And Justice for All (1979). This began a long relationship with Mr. Pacino. The two worked together again in Shakespeare's Richard III playing Richmond, where he received strong notices again. After that Tom originated the roll of Mitchell in Alan Bowne's Forty Deuce Off-Broadway at the Perry Street Theatre. Based on this performance he was chosen to appear in the book, Caught in the Act, New York Actors Face to Face by Don Shewey. In this book he was considered one of the gifted performers to "study, struggle and succeed in NYC, the toughest town in show business". Photos by Susan Shacter. In 1982 Tom competed with actors such as Matt Dillon and Kevin Bacon to land the role of Bobby in David Mamet's Pulitzer Prize winning play, American Buffalo. Kurt Russell and John Carpenter saw Tom's performance and cast him as Windows in the film The Thing (1982). Tom was cast in the Broadway premier of Teaneck Tanzi, a musical where Tom sang with Deborah Harry of Blondie fame. Next was Pastorale, the Obie Award winning play by Debra Eisenberg starring Judith Ivey and Christine Esterbrook. Tom played the character of Steve and critic Frank Rich of the NYTimes said Waites was "charming as well as endearing".

It was during this time that Tom met his namesake, Tom Waits and singer Tom Waits generously taught Tom the great song Jersey Girl, on the guiter. Out of deference to the musician Tom Waits, this is when Tom added the G. to his professional name to offset any confusion between the two talented artists. Tom Waits even played the base drum on a demo tape of Thomas G Waites' music. Tom G Waites began writing music and formed a band called The Pushups, playing gigs around NYC in clubs such as CBGB's, Limelight, Traxs, The Bitter End and even opening for The Smithereens. The Pushups were 90% original New Wave-Rock-Dance.

Next came one of the highlights of Tom's career working with Geraldine Page in Clifford Odets' Paradise Lost, in the role of Kewpie, originated by Elia Kazan. This was Off-Broadway at St. Peter's Church. The reviews from this show and a recommendation by Al Pacino got Tom the lead, Ralph in Clifford Odets' Awake and Sing on Broadway with the great actress Frances McDormand and Actor Harry Hamlin. Casting Director from Warner Bros Pictures and great reviews from Mel Gusow from the NY Daily News led to Tom being cast in the lead role of Broud in The Clan of the Cave Bear (1986) with Daryl Hannah and James Remar. Terrible critical notices and a cold reception from the public combined to make Clan of the Cave Bear a less than career building move. It was at this point that he met his future wife, Lisa Greenberg, with whom he has 2 children; Samuel Jackson Waites and Michaela Kate Waites. Tom next played Otis the baby-stealer in ABC's All My Children for approximately 9 months, while performing Israel Horowitz's North Shore Fish at the WPA Theater in NYC alongside John Pankow, Christine Esterbrook, Wendie Malick and Laura San Giacomo. Tom also made guest appearances in such popular television shows as; Kojak (with Telly Savalas), Miami Vice and 2 episodes of The Equalizer. Tom played the role of Rob in Howard Korder's Search and Destroy on Broadway alongside Griffin Dunne. Tom appeared as Smittie in the film Light of Day (1987) opposite Michael J. Fox and Joan Jett, and was then cast as Al Capone, competing with actors like Harvey Keitel, for the film Gangland (1987) with Scott Glenn.

Waites moved to Iowa City, IA to pursue a career as a playwright. While in Iowa Tom wrote a play called Dark Laughter, based on the lives of William Faulkner and Dylan Thomas. The play was picked up by Producer Barry Kemp, creator of the hit television series, Coach. The play was moved to Marin Theatre Center in Mill Valley, CA.

Tom next relocated to Los Angeles where he started the theatre company, TomCats. This is where he began his directing career. After 2 guest star appearances on NYPD Blue and some minor roles in small independent films and television shows including a guest star in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Mike Hammer Private Eye with Stacy Keach and Slither. At this time Tom established himself as a top acting teacher. He opened TGW Acting Studio in 2000 and his school continues to thrive today. He has coached such actors as; Alfred Molina, Vinnie Pastore, Vinessa Shaw, Tim Guinee, Oliver Hudson and Jamie Harris among many others. TGW Acting Studio was named the top school to study acting in NYC by Backstage in 2015. Tom directs and produces Off-Off Broadway plays at his studio. Upon returning to NY he directed the Off-Broadway hit, Six Goumbas and a Wannabe starring Annie McGovern and Katherine Narducci. He also directed Golden Ladder with Amy Redford and numerous other Off and Off-Off Broadway productions.

Since returning to NYC he has landed guest roles in Law and Order (4 times), Law and Order Criminal Intent (2 times) and starred in the soap opera One Life to Live as Decker. Waites played Henry Stanton in Oz for 4 seasons.

Tom directed Joe Montegna and Frances Fisher in a short film, Pandora's Box for which he won Best Director in the Atlantic City Film Festival.

References

  1. ↑ "Alumni News". The Juilliard School. November 2007. Archived from the original on 2011-11-11.
  2. ↑ "Thomas G. Waites: Resume". thomasgwaites.com. Retrieved April 20, 2012.

External links

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