Thomas G. Waites
Thomas G. Waites | |
---|---|
New School (BA) | |
Occupation(s) | Actor, director, acting teacher |
Years active | 1976–present |
Spouse | Lisa Greenberg (1987–1999; divorced) |
Children | 2 |
Website | thomasgwaites |
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
This poorly sourced must be removed immediately from the article and its talk page, especially if potentially libelous. )Find sources: "Thomas G. Waites" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (April 2021) |
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
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'
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
Waites has coached such actors as
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
- ^ "Alumni News". The Juilliard School. November 2007. Archived from the original on November 11, 2011.
- ^ "Thomas G. Waites: Resume". thomasgwaites.com. Archived from the original on March 29, 2012. Retrieved April 20, 2012.
- ^ "Watch 'The Warriors' Reunite to Discuss Cult Film's Legacy, Fandom". Rolling Stone. October 6, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
- ^ "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.