IndustryCentral - Actor Profiles Tom Bower

EDITOR'S INTRO

This is the ninth in a continuing feature at IndustryCentral profiling "The Working Actor".
William Shakespeare said "There are no small parts.....". William Shatner may have said it too, but the longhair with the tights was first, or so the reports go. In this feature we will explore what it really means to be an actor working in Motion Pictures and Television.
Broad public acknowledgment may have eluded some who find their way to these pages, or perhaps they may have brushed against what is referred to as stardom by virtue of one or more remarkable performances. However for many, the rewards of plying their craft in a field which has allowed them to earn a living may exceed the burdens of public acclaim. Given the chance, some in this clan might prefer the longevity offered by anonymity over the potential for short lived fame.
These individuals, either by design or fate, have managed to sustain a career by crafting performances which rendered them a good casting choice. They are usually thought of as a face you recognize, but you just can't get the name past the tip of your tongue.
Most of these folks have spent countless hours on stage in theaters ranging from 20 seats to 2000, building characters from the works of Ibsen, to Eliot, to Williams, to yes even Shakespeare, and so many of the modern Playwrights. They have rounded their skills doing drama, comedy, & musicals. Their work is a serious venture.
These people have given us screen performances which quite often were the catalyst that brought an Oscar or Emmy to another and yet they continue to work as "Characters" or "Co-Stars" without the trophies and plaques adorning their mantle.

Tom Bower
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Tom Bower is truly the essence of the working actor. His many varied screen performances have rewarded him with a stable career in Hollywood. His tireless work with the Screen Actors Guild and in support of his fellow actor make him an example for all to follow. Tom's motion picture credits include: The Million Dollar Hotel (Icon Productions, Wim Wenders, Director); Slipping Down Life (DVD Productions, Tony Kalem, Director) which premiered and was one of the films in competition at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival; Shadrach (Nu Image, Suzanna Styron, Director) which premiered and opened the 1998 Los Angeles Film Festival; The Negotiator (New Regency, F. Gary Gray, Director); Poodle Springs (Mirage, Citadel, Bob Rafelson, Director); The Buffalo Soldiers (Citadel, Charles Haid, Director); The Postman (Warner, Kevin Kostner, Director); Nixon (Disney, Oliver Stone, Director); Georgia (Miramax, Ulu Grossbard, Director); White Man's Burden (Rysher Entertainment, Desmond Nakano, Director); Clear and Present Danger (Paramount, Phillip Noyce, Director); Die Hard II (20th Century Fox, Renny Harlin, Director); Far From Home, the Adventures of Yellowdog (20th Century Fox, Phillip Borsos, Director); River's Edge (Island, Tim Hunter, Director); Wildrose (Troma, John Hanson, Director); The Ballad of Georgio Cortez (Embassy, Robert M. Young, Director); Shadows (John Cassavettes, Director); and many others. Tom has also appeared on numerous television programs and MOW's including NYPD Blue, Monday After the Miracle (MOW,CBS, Dan Petrie, SR., Director); Riders of the Purple Sage for TNT, and Attica Against the Wall for HBO. Also a veteran of the stage, Tom has appeared in more than 80 theatrical productions across the United States. HE is one of the founding members and is on the Board of Directors of the Loretta Theater in Santa Monica. In 1981, Tom was invited by Robert Redford to be a resource actor at the Sundance Institute for film and television. He has remained active in the Institute since that time, and has served as a member of it's nominating committee. Tom currently serves on the Board of Directors at the Screen Actors' Guild and is Co-Chairperson for the Film Festival Committee. Representation: Lasher, McManus, Robinson, Kipperman (310) 446-1466 (LA) (212) 997-9191 (NY) United Talent Agency "UTA" Nick Stevens - 310-273-6700 Kevin Stolper - 310-246-6052 Tom Bower's advice to the aspiring actor: "The journeyman performer is being crushed by wage compression and runaway production, while the Industry they work in enjoys record-breaking economic growth" He also shared this: "In most unions the salary is about the same. In our union, the salary ranges from a few hundred dollars to 20 million, but all of us must realize we are still members of SAG. In our union there is strength and we must have all the strength of the big top stars. They should help our union. I intend to do what I can to help Bill Daniels, President of Screen Actors Guild, lead all our members. I'm proud of the Screen Actors Guild and I will do everything I can to make it stronger " Kirk Douglas, Hollywood General Membership Meeting, December 12, 1999. "It is my job as a member of the Screen Actors Guild Board of Directors to serve that cause as illustrated by Mr. Douglas and it's incumbant upon all of us to join in that effort." "Feel free to call me for information on how you too can become involved!" (323) 650-5428. Tom Bower's Credits (partial) Film Pollock; — Independent; Dir: Ed Harris Million Dollar Hotel — Independant; Dir: Wim Wenders Slipping Down Life; — DVC Entertainment Dir: Toni Kalem The Negotiator — Regency Films; Dir: F. Gary Gray Poodle Springs — HBO; Dir: Bob Rafelson Shadrach — Bridget Terry/Clinica Estetico Dir: Suzanna Styron The Postman — -WarnerBrothers; Dir: Kevin Kostner The Last Time I Committed Suicide — Kushner-Locke/TapestryFilms; Dir: Stephen Kay The Killing Jar — Paragon films; Dir: Evan Crooke Female Perversions — Map Films, Inc. Dir: Susan Streitfeld Nixon — Hollywood Pictures; Dir: Oliver Stone White Man's Burdon — Chromatic Pictures; Dir: Desmond Nakano Georgia — CIBY 2000/Miramax; Dir: Ulu Grossbard Clear and Present Danger — Paramount; Dir: Phillip Noyce Follow Me Home — Independent Dir: Peter Bratt Far From Home, the Adventures of Yellow Dog — 20th Century Fox; Dir: Phillip Borsos The Ballad of Little Jo — Fine Line; Dir: Maggie Greenwald Shimmer — American Playhouse theatrical; Dir: John Hanson Raising Cain — Universal; Dir: Brian DePalma American Me — Universal; Dir: Edward James Olmos Talent for the Game — Paramount; Dir: Robert M. Young Die Hard II — 20th Century Fox; Dir: Renny Harlin True Beliver — Columbia; Dir: Joseph Ruben Distant Thunder — Paramount; Dir: Rick Rosenthal Beverly Hills Cop II — Paramount; Dir: Tony Scott Lady inwhite — Virgin Films; Dir: Frank LaLoggia River's Edge — Island; Dir: Tim Hunter The Lightship — CBS Theatrical; Jerzy Skolimowski Wildrose — New Fron Films; Dir: John Hanson The Ballad of Gergio Cortez — Embassy Pictures; Dir: Robert M. Young Television Monday After the Miracle — Lead — CBS MOW; Dir: Dan Petrie, Sr. The Homestead — Lead — CBS/Sony; Dir: Tim Hunter The Decent — Benjamin Baumgarten/ABC MOW; Dir: Bobby Roth Buffalo Soldiers — Trilogy/Citadel/TNT; Dir: Charles Haid Shaugnessy — Lead — Haven Prod./CBS Pilot; Dir: Michael Rhodes Riders of the Purple Sage — David Rosemont/TNT; Dir: Charles Haid The Avenging Angel — Esparza-Katz/TNT; Dir: Craig Baxley NYPD Blue — Lead — ABC Against the Wall: Attica — HBO MOW; Dir: John Frankenheimer Starkweather: Murder in the Heartland — ABC Miniseries Love, Lies, and Murder — Republic Pictures/ABC Miniseries Theater Water and Wine — Act One Productions/Met Theater Los Angeles, CA Brush Strokes — Met Theater, Los Angeles, CA Tent Show — Met Theater, Los Angeles, CA Traveler in the Dark — Wisdom Bridge Theater Co., Chicago, ILL. Quartermaine's Terms — Cricket Theater, Minneapolis, MN Fool for Love — Cricket Theater, Minneapolis, MN The Chicago Conspiracy Trial — Odyssey Theater Co. The Blood Knot — Actors for Themselves Are You Now Or Have You Ever Been — Actors for Themselves Picnic — Met Theater Producer Credits 1992 Murray Mednick's "Scar" starring Ed Harris at the Met Theater 1991 World Premiere of Tom Grimes' "Spec" at the Met Theater 1989 World Premiere of David Higgins' "Bonus Baby" at the Victory Theater, Burbank, CA 1987 World Premiere of John Patrick Stanley's "Italian American Reconcilliation" at the Gnu Theater, Los Angeles, CA Founder and member of the Board of Directors of the Met Theater Sundance Institute: Member of the Nominating Commettee — Resource Actor 1981 & 1985 Member of the Actors Studio For more info and credits see IMDb -- ---End

Tom Bower

Click for full size, use "BACK" button to return.

Tom Bower is truly the essence of the working actor. His many varied screen performances have rewarded him with a stable career in Hollywood. His tireless work with the Screen Actors Guild and in support of his fellow actor make him an example for all to follow.

Tom's motion picture credits include: The Million Dollar Hotel (Icon Productions, Wim Wenders, Director); Slipping Down Life (DVD Productions, Tony Kalem, Director) which premiered and was one of the films in competition at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival; Shadrach (Nu Image, Suzanna Styron, Director) which premiered and opened the 1998 Los Angeles Film Festival; The Negotiator (New Regency, F. Gary Gray, Director); Poodle Springs (Mirage, Citadel, Bob Rafelson, Director); The Buffalo Soldiers (Citadel, Charles Haid, Director); The Postman (Warner, Kevin Kostner, Director); Nixon (Disney, Oliver Stone, Director); Georgia (Miramax, Ulu Grossbard, Director); White Man's Burden (Rysher Entertainment, Desmond Nakano, Director); Clear and Present Danger (Paramount, Phillip Noyce, Director); Die Hard II (20th Century Fox, Renny Harlin, Director); Far From Home, the Adventures of Yellowdog (20th Century Fox, Phillip Borsos, Director); River's Edge (Island, Tim Hunter, Director); Wildrose (Troma, John Hanson, Director); The Ballad of Georgio Cortez (Embassy, Robert M. Young, Director); Shadows (John Cassavettes, Director); and many others.

Tom has also appeared on numerous television programs and MOW's including NYPD Blue, Monday After the Miracle (MOW,CBS, Dan Petrie, SR., Director); Riders of the Purple Sage for TNT, and Attica Against the Wall for HBO.

Also a veteran of the stage, Tom has appeared in more than 80 theatrical productions across the United States.

HE is one of the founding members and is on the Board of Directors of the Loretta Theater in Santa Monica.

In 1981, Tom was invited by Robert Redford to be a resource actor at the Sundance Institute for film and television. He has remained active in the Institute since that time, and has served as a member of it's nominating committee.

Tom currently serves on the Board of Directors at the Screen Actors' Guild and is Co-Chairperson for the Film Festival Committee.

Representation:
Lasher, McManus, Robinson, Kipperman
(310) 446-1466 (LA)
(212) 997-9191 (NY)

United Talent Agency "UTA"
Nick Stevens - 310-273-6700
Kevin Stolper - 310-246-6052

Tom Bower's advice to the aspiring actor:
"The journeyman performer is being crushed by wage compression and runaway production, while the Industry they work in enjoys record-breaking economic growth"
He also shared this:

"In most unions the salary is about the same. In our union, the salary ranges from a few hundred dollars to 20 million, but all of us must realize we are still members of SAG. In our union there is strength and we must have all the strength of the big top stars. They should help our union. I intend to do what I can to help Bill Daniels, President of Screen Actors Guild, lead all our members. I'm proud of the Screen Actors Guild and I will do everything I can to make it stronger "
Kirk Douglas, Hollywood General Membership Meeting, December 12, 1999.
"It is my job as a member of the Screen Actors Guild Board of Directors to serve that cause as illustrated by Mr. Douglas and it's incumbant upon all of us to join in that effort."
"Feel free to call me for information on how you too can become involved!"
(323) 650-5428.

Tom Bower's Credits (partial)
Film
Pollock; — Independent; Dir: Ed Harris
Million Dollar Hotel — Independant; Dir: Wim Wenders
Slipping Down Life; — DVC Entertainment Dir: Toni Kalem
The Negotiator — Regency Films; Dir: F. Gary Gray
Poodle Springs — HBO; Dir: Bob Rafelson
Shadrach — Bridget Terry/Clinica Estetico Dir: Suzanna Styron
The Postman — -WarnerBrothers; Dir: Kevin Kostner
The Last Time I Committed Suicide — Kushner-Locke/TapestryFilms; Dir: Stephen Kay
The Killing Jar — Paragon films; Dir: Evan Crooke
Female Perversions — Map Films, Inc. Dir: Susan Streitfeld
Nixon — Hollywood Pictures; Dir: Oliver Stone
White Man's Burdon — Chromatic Pictures; Dir: Desmond Nakano
Georgia — CIBY 2000/Miramax; Dir: Ulu Grossbard
Clear and Present Danger — Paramount; Dir: Phillip Noyce
Follow Me Home — Independent Dir: Peter Bratt
Far From Home, the Adventures of Yellow Dog — 20th Century Fox; Dir: Phillip Borsos
The Ballad of Little Jo — Fine Line; Dir: Maggie Greenwald
Shimmer — American Playhouse theatrical; Dir: John Hanson
Raising Cain — Universal; Dir: Brian DePalma
American Me — Universal; Dir: Edward James Olmos
Talent for the Game — Paramount; Dir: Robert M. Young
Die Hard II — 20th Century Fox; Dir: Renny Harlin
True Beliver — Columbia; Dir: Joseph Ruben
Distant Thunder — Paramount; Dir: Rick Rosenthal
Beverly Hills Cop II — Paramount; Dir: Tony Scott
Lady inwhite — Virgin Films; Dir: Frank LaLoggia
River's Edge — Island; Dir: Tim Hunter
The Lightship — CBS Theatrical; Jerzy Skolimowski
Wildrose — New Fron Films; Dir: John Hanson
The Ballad of Gergio Cortez — Embassy Pictures; Dir: Robert M. Young

Television
Monday After the Miracle — Lead — CBS MOW; Dir: Dan Petrie, Sr.
The Homestead — Lead — CBS/Sony; Dir: Tim Hunter
The Decent — Benjamin Baumgarten/ABC MOW; Dir: Bobby Roth
Buffalo Soldiers — Trilogy/Citadel/TNT; Dir: Charles Haid
Shaugnessy — Lead — Haven Prod./CBS Pilot; Dir: Michael Rhodes
Riders of the Purple Sage — David Rosemont/TNT; Dir: Charles Haid
The Avenging Angel — Esparza-Katz/TNT; Dir: Craig Baxley
NYPD Blue — Lead — ABC
Against the Wall: Attica — HBO MOW; Dir: John Frankenheimer
Starkweather: Murder in the Heartland — ABC Miniseries
Love, Lies, and Murder — Republic Pictures/ABC Miniseries

Theater
Water and Wine — Act One Productions/Met Theater Los Angeles, CA
Brush Strokes — Met Theater, Los Angeles, CA
Tent Show — Met Theater, Los Angeles, CA
Traveler in the Dark — Wisdom Bridge Theater Co., Chicago, ILL.
Quartermaine's Terms — Cricket Theater, Minneapolis, MN
Fool for Love — Cricket Theater, Minneapolis, MN
The Chicago Conspiracy Trial — Odyssey Theater Co.
The Blood Knot — Actors for Themselves
Are You Now Or Have You Ever Been — Actors for Themselves
Picnic — Met Theater

Producer Credits
1992 Murray Mednick's "Scar" starring Ed Harris at the Met Theater
1991 World Premiere of Tom Grimes' "Spec" at the Met Theater
1989 World Premiere of David Higgins' "Bonus Baby" at the Victory Theater, Burbank, CA
1987 World Premiere of John Patrick Stanley's "Italian American Reconcilliation" at the Gnu Theater, Los Angeles, CA
Founder and member of the Board of Directors of the Met Theater
Sundance Institute: Member of the Nominating Commettee — Resource Actor 1981 & 1985
Member of the Actors Studio

For more info and credits see IMDb

-- ---End

WORKING ACTOR ARCHIVE
Amy Aquino February 2000	Danny Chambers January 2000	Eve Gordon December 1999	Barbara Niven November 1999
Bill Lucking October 1999	Richard Roundtree September 1999	Pat Harrington August 1999	Robert Donner July 1999

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