Thomas G. Waites

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Thomas G. Waites
New School (BA)
  • University of Iowa (MFA)
  • Occupation(s)Actor, director, acting teacher
    Years active1976–present
    SpouseLisa Greenberg (1987–1999; divorced)
    Children2
    Websitethomasgwaites.com

    Thomas G. Waites (born January 8, 1955) is an American actor and acting instructor born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Waites runs an eponymous acting studio in New York City. 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, Pennsylvania. 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 (1974–1977).[1] 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

    When Waites was 21 years old, he was offered two movies simultaneously: Snowbound, directed by Robert Young, and Pity the Poor Soldier (the 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

    Deborah Harry of Blondie fame. Next was Pastorale, the Obie Award-winning play by Debra Eisenberg starring Judith Ivey and Christine Estabrook
    , with Waites playing the character of Steve.

    It was during this time that Tom met his namesake and singer, Tom Waits, who generously taught Tom the song "Jersey Girl" on the guitar. 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 bass 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.

    In 1983, Waits joined The Mirror Theater Ltd’s Mirror Repertory Company, performing in numerous repertory productions off-Broadway at St. Peters Church throughout various seasons. His work with The Mirror included 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.

    The reviews from this show and a recommendation by Al Pacino got Tom the part of Ralph in Clifford Odets'

    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, Iowa, 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 the Marin Theatre Center in Mill Valley, California.

    Waites next relocated to Los Angeles, where he started the theater company, TomCats. This is where he began his directing career. After two 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 Sliders. At this time, Waites established himself as a top acting teacher, which led to the opening of the TGW Acting Studio in 2000, which continues to thrive today.

    Upon returning to New York, Waites landed guest roles in

    Henry Stanton in Oz
    for four seasons.

    Waites has coached such actors as

    Vinnie Pastore, Vinessa Shaw, Tim Guinee, Oliver Hudson, and Jamie Harris. TGW Acting Studio was named the top school to study acting in New York City
    by Backstage in 2015.

    Further pursuing his love for directing, Waites directed the Off-Broadway hit Six Goumbas and a Wannabe, starring Annie McGovern and Kathrine Narducci. He also directed Golden Ladder (with Amy Redford) and numerous other off-Broadway productions.[1] Waites directed Joe Mantegna and Frances Fisher in a short film, Pandora's Box, for which he won Best Director at the Atlantic City Film Festival.

    A prolific director, Waites most recently directed the play A White Man's Guide to Rikers Island, which had a successful run in New York City in 2022. His latest project, a feature film titled Target, was both written and directed by Waites and premiered in April 2023.

    Filmography

    Film

    Year Title Role Notes
    1976 The Other Side of Victory Joel TV movie
    1978 On the Yard 'Chilly' Credited as Thomas Waites
    1979 The Warriors 'Fox' Uncredited
    1979 ...And Justice for All Jeff McCullaugh Credited as Thomas Waites
    1982 The Thing Windows Credited as Thomas Waites
    1983 O’Malley Paul TV movie
    1983 The Face of Rage Howard TV movie
    1986 The Clan of the Cave Bear Broud
    1987 Light of Day 'Smittie'
    1987 Gangland Al Capone
    1988 Shakedown Officer Kelly
    1990 Kojak: Flowers for Matty 'Tink' TV movie
    1990 State of Grace Frankie's Man
    1991 McBain Gill Credited as T. G. Waites
    1993 Midnight Confession Werewolf Short
    1995 Money Train Barricade Captain
    1996 Timelock Warden Andrews
    1997 Most Wanted Sergeant
    1997 An American Affair Mulroney
    1997 A Thousand Men and a Baby Supply Sergeant TV movie
    1999 American Virgin 'Grip'
    1999 Rites of Passage John Willio
    2001 Nailed Carpet Guy
    2005 The Exonerated Deputy TV movie
    2008 The Look Irv Moulton Short
    2010 An Affirmative Act Sam 'Dixie' Backus
    2011 The Grand Theft Randy Lemar
    2011 The Great Fight Chief Bocchino
    2011 The Life Zone Roger Fields
    2012 Broadway's Finest Caesar
    2012 Pandora’s Box Tom O’Reilley Short, Actor, Director
    2015 Thompson Street Bobby Short
    2015 The Warriors: Last Subway Ride Home 'Fox' Video short
    2021 6:45 Larry

    Television

    Year Title Role Notes
    1985 Miami Vice DEA Agent Thompson Episode: Bushido
    1987 All My Children Otis Price Unknown episodes
    1997 Sliders Randy Episode: "Slither"
    1998 NYPD Blue William Weaver Sr. Episode: "Weaver of Hate"
    1998 Mike Hammer, Private Eye George Speaker Episode: "Big Brother's Secret"
    1998
    Buffy the Vampire Slayer
    Second Cop Episode: "Becoming"
    2001–2003 Oz
    Henry Stanton
    7 episodes
    2001
    Law and Order Criminal Intent
    Mo Turman Episode: "
    Jones
    "
    2003
    Law and Order Criminal Intent
    Lance Brody Episode: "
    A Murderer Among Us
    "
    2006 One Life to Live Decker Denton Unknown episodes
    2018 Homeland Clayton Episode: "Useful Idiot"
    2019 The Punisher Arthur Walsh Episode: "Scar Tissue"

    Videogames

    Year Title Role Notes
    2005 The Warriors 'Fox'
    2008 Grand Theft Auto IV Priest Voice and motion capture

    References

    1. ^ "Alumni News". The Juilliard School. November 2007. Archived from the original on November 11, 2011.
    2. ^ "Thomas G. Waites: Resume". thomasgwaites.com. Archived from the original on March 29, 2012. Retrieved April 20, 2012.
    3. ^ "Watch 'The Warriors' Reunite to Discuss Cult Film's Legacy, Fandom". Rolling Stone. October 6, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
    4. ^ "Remember the Warriors: Behind the Chaotic, Drug-Fueled, and Often Terrifying Making of a Cult Classic". The Village Voice. September 8, 2015. Retrieved April 6, 2021.

    External links