- Born
- Birth nameJoseph Timothy Thomerson
- Height5′ 11″ (1.80 m)
- Tim Thomerson rates highly as one of the best, most prolific, versatile and dependable character actors to ever grace both the big and small screens alike with pleasing regularity since the mid-70s. Although often cast as laconic rough 'n' tumble macho guys, Thomerson has proved on many occasions that he’s just as versatile in comic roles and more substantial dramatic parts with equal aplomb. Tim was born in Coronado, California and raised in Hawaii and San Diego. He did a stint in the National Guard before getting a job as a prop man and set builder at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego.
After character actor Anthony Zerbe suggested Thomerson take lessons with legendary acting teacher Stella Adler in New York, Tim went East where he studied with her for four years.
Tim began his entertainment career as a stand-up comedian; performing at such legendary clubs as The Bitter End, Bud Friedman's Improvisation, and Catch A Rising Star in New York and at the Comedy Store and the Improv in Los Angeles. Tim eventually had a guest spot on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962).
Soon, Tim parlayed his comic skills from to screen. He made his film debut was with a funny small role in the hilarious Car Wash (1976).
Tim achieved his greatest enduring cult popularity with his delightfully deadpan portrayal of rugged police detective Jack Death in the terrific Trancers (1984) and its strictly so-so sequels. Other memorable parts include eccentric police detective Jerry Moriarty in the film Fade to Black (1980).
During his career, Tim's character range was far and wide; weary factory worker Ray in Take This Job and Shove It (1981), a highway patrolman in Clint Eastwood's poignant and underrated Honkytonk Man (1982), burnt-out Vietnam vet helicopter pilot Charts in the exciting Uncommon Valor (1983), the crazed John Reynolds in Volunteers (1985), demented cult leader Lester in Cherry 2000 (1987). the tough-as-nails Sarge in the enjoyably quirky Zone Troopers (1985), lovely and touching as the gentle Loy in the outstanding Near Dark (1987), the fearless alien lawman Brick Bardo in the funky Dollman (1991) and a scruffy motorcyclist in Terry Gilliam's unjustly maligned Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998).
Tim's appeared in many low-budget films for an independent director Albert Pyun and acted alongside his real-life best friend, Brion James in numerous pictures (they first met while both serving in the National Guard).
On television, Thomerson played the half-man, half-woman Gene-Jean on the uproarious, but sadly short-lived sci-fi parody program Quark (1977). Thomerson also had recurring roles on the TV shows Sirens (1993) and Land's End (1995) and has made guest appearances on countless TV shows. shows.
- IMDb mini biography by: woodyanders (edited by U.N. Owen '26)
- SpousesTeri Blythe(September 25, 1998 - present)Beryl Barnes(November 22, 1978 - ?) (1 child)Frances Delgado(September 19, 1971 - June 15, 1978) (divorced)
- Best known for his portrayal of tough macho authority figures.
- Started out his career as a stand-up comedian who made it all the way to The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962).
- Served together with the late actor Brion James as cooks in a tank company while in the Army Reserve in California.
- Has done 9 films with director Albert Pyun.
- Studied at the Stella Adler Conservatory for four years.
- Veteran tough guy actor of "B" sci-fi thrillers and violent action, portraying both virile anti-heroes and heavies.
- [1997 interview] I've been an actor for 25 years, so there's certainly a bag of tricks that each of us have. It's just what I do for a living. It depends on the character I'm playing at the time. I try to live up to the way I was trained as an actor. I figure I owe the audience a good performance.
- I have a family to raise and a son to educate, so I do work for the work and the money. But that doesn't mean I do everything offered to me. If I see a character I like, I do it. It's what I do, it's what I am. Each thing you do just keeps your instrument tuned. Work is good for your soul and I would say I'm a pretty soulful guy.
- My career has always been a runaway kind of baffling thing. I've never been a big science fiction and fantasy fan, but I get picked for those kinds of roles. I don't think there's any great cosmic reason for the way my career has gone. I've just been in the right place at the right time when these films have come along.
- Look, it's only acting and it's only a movie. I hope that people think my work is good and that they see me as somebody who's a professional at what he does. But hey! The bottom line is that I'm doing blue collar work for white collar money.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content
