Tom Nardini
Tom Nardini (Born April 16, 1945) is an American film and television actor.[1] Nardini stood 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighed 135 pounds.
Early life
Born in Los Angeles, California, in 1945 as Thomas Nardini, he was the son of Joseph and Chechi Nardini. Tom's father worked as an aircraft worker after having a career as a jazz musician and his mother worked in vaudeville as a comedian, dancer, and singer. He attended Morningside High School in Inglewood, CA, graduating in 1963. Nardini furthered his education by attending El Camino Junior College in Torrance, CA where he studied theater and joined a Shakespearean group.
Career
Tom met an agent named Lester Miller, who was able to get him an interview to audition for Mr. Novak. This led to one of Tom's first roles appearing in three episodes of Novak as Abel King from 1964 to 1965. This allowed Tom to land other roles as guest leads on other television shows such as The Lieutenant and My Three Sons. Nardini was then cast for his most notable role in the television series Cowboy in Africa, where he played the character John Henry.
Tom then signed a seven year contract with Columbia studios, which produced his film debut Cat Ballou in 1965. Nardini was cast as Jackson Two Bears, a bronc rider, and was nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance.
In the films Cat Ballou and Africa: Texas Style, Nardini played a Native American character, which presented the risk of being typecast as a Native American in all his roles.
Personal life
Tom has been married three times, first to Judy K. Cooper in 1966, then Melody Gay Barsocchini in 1970, and third to Ruth Helen Belding in 1985, to whom he is still married. The couple has three children.Tom was also in the Air Force reserve in 1966, based in Riverside, California.
Filmography
- Kate & Allie .... (as Tom Nardino)
- T. J. Hooker .... Falco
- Muggable Mary, Street Cop (1982) (TV) .... Mugger Inside Supermarket
- Win, Place or Steal (1975) .... Desk Sergeant
- Kung Fu .... Matoska (1 episode, 1974)
- Insight .... Rodriguez / ... (2 episodes, 1974)
- Love, American Style .... (segment "Love and the Test of Manhood") (1 episode, 1972)
- The Smith Family (1 episode, 1971)
- Cade's County .... Tom Running Man (1 episode, 1971)
- Bearcats! .... Father Librerto (1 episode, 1971)
- Cat Ballou (1971/I) (TV) .... Jackson Two Bears
- Harpy (1971) (TV) .... John
- Incident in San Francisco (1971) (TV) .... Alfred Cianelli
- The Mod Squad (1 episode, 1970)
- Land of the Giants .... Carl (1 episode, 1969)
- Hawaii Five-O .... Ramon (1 episode, 1969)
- The Devil's 8 (1969) .... Billy Joe
- The Young Animals (1968) .... Tony
- Cowboy in Africa .... John Henry (26 episodes, 1967–1968)
- Cimarron Strip .... John Wolf (1 episode, 1967)
- Africa: Texas Style (1967) .... John Henry
- The Fugitive .... Jimmy Anza (1 episode, 1967)
- Gunsmoke .... Richard Danby (1 episode, 1965)
- Dr. Kildare .... Steve Perrona (7 episodes, 1965)
- Bewitched .... Indian (1 episode, 1965)
- Winter A-Go-Go (1965) .... Frankie
- Cat Ballou (1965) .... Jackson Two-Bears
- Death Valley Days .... Steve Avote (1 episode, 1965)
- Mr. Novak .... Abel King / ... (3 episodes, 1964–1965) [2]
References
Bibliography
- "Tom Nardini To Co-Star With Connors." Pittsburgh Post Gazette [Pittsburgh] 16 Aug. 1967 : 24. Print.
- "Ocala Star-Banner - Google News Archive Search." Ocala Star-Banner - Google News Archive Search. Oscala Star Banner, 3 Sept. 1967. Web. 27 Oct. 2015.
- Gannett News Service. "The Evening News -Google News Archive Search." The Evening News - Google News Archive Search. The Evening News, 25 Nov. 1967. Web. 27 Oct. 2015.
- "Toledo Blade - Google News Archive Search." Toledo Blade - Google News Archive Search. Toledo Blade, 21 Feb. 1968. Web. 27 Oct. 2015.
- "Tom Nardini Biography." IMDb. IMDb.com, n.d. Web. 27 Oct. 2015.
- TV Scout. "The Times-News - Google News Archive Search." The Times-News - Google News Archive Search. The Times-News, 22 May 1971. Web. 02 Nov. 2015
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