David Tom Explained

David Tom
Birth Name:Charles David Tom
Birth Date:23 March 1978
Birth Place:Hinsdale, Illinois, U.S.
Occupation:Actor
Years Active:1988–present

Charles David Tom (born March 23, 1978) is an American actor. He is best known for playing the roles of Billy Abbott on The Young and the Restless (1999 to 2002, 2013 to 2014) and Paul Cramer on One Life to Live (2004). He won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actor in 2000 for his work on The Young and the Restless.

Early life

Tom was born in Hinsdale, Illinois. He is the twin brother of actress Nicholle Tom, who played Maggie Sheffield on The Nanny. He guest-starred with her on an episode of Criminal Minds in 2008. They have one older sibling, Heather Tom, who played Tom's sister on One Life to Live and co-starred with him on The Young and the Restless.[1]

When Tom was eight, his family moved from Chicago, Illinois to Seattle, Washington because of his father's work. A year later, his mother brought all three children to Los Angeles for pilot season. They relocated there permanently, with Tom's father staying behind in Seattle and his parents divorcing. His mother got a job as a speech therapist for the Pasadena school system, while the children pursued acting.[2] Tom studied at the Young Actors Space and worked with acting teacher Diane Hardin.[3]

Career

After appearing in print advertisements and television commercials, Tom made his film debut with an uncredited role in Plain Clothes in 1988. He then landed a regular role as Bart McCray on the NBC series Brand New Life (1989-1990). He made guest starring appearances on Get a Life and Just the Ten of Us.[4] Tom was cast as Sponge in the pilot episode of the Nickelodeon series Salute Your Shorts.

Tom played Andy, a young boy suffering from psychosomatic paralysis, in the 1992 TV Movie Stepfather III.[5] He played Darryl Knable in the film Stay Tuned, co-starring with John Ritter.[6] Tom received Young Artist Award nominations for his roles in both films.[7]

In 1993, Tom played Willi in the historical film Swing Kids, garnering another Young Artist Award nomination.[8] [9] He had recurring roles on Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman and Quantum Leap.[10] Tom appeared in the TV movies A Place to Be Loved and Summertime Switch.[11] [12]

Tom starred as Jacob McKay, a young boy who gets stranded in the Rocky Mountains, in the 1995 film Walking Thunder.[13] He played a younger version of D.B. Sweeney's character in the comedy-drama film Roommates and guest starred on Sister, Sister.

He appeared as Whitey in the 1998 comedy-drama film Pleasantville, co-starring with Tobey Maguire and Reese Witherspoon. Tom also had a role in the NBC TV mini-series The 60s. He played David Cass in the TV movie Man of Miracles (also known as Holy Joe), co-starring again with John Ritter.[14] In 1999, Tom had recurring roles on Cousin Skeeter and Party of Five.

Tom played the role of Billy Abbott on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless, from June 1999 to August 2002.[15] He won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actor for his role on The Young and the Restless in 2000.[16] He was nominated again in the same category in 2001.[17] He also won a Soap Opera Digest Award in 2000 for Outstanding Male Newcomer.[18] He received a Soap Opera Digest Award nomination for Outstanding Younger Lead Actor in 2001.

In February 2004, it was announced that he would be joining the cast of One Life to Live as Paul Cramer, replacing Brock Cuchna. His real-life sister, Heather Tom, played his half-sister, Kelly Cramer.[19] He was involved in a crossover storyline with All My Children, making several appearances on that show. He took a temporary leave of absence from OLTL in July 2004 before a permanent departure was announced in September 2004.[20]

Tom played Jacob Sterling in the 2004 horror film The Hazing.[21] He had a recurring role as Chip Diller on Veronica Mars (2006 to 2007).[22] In 2010, he played Daniel Whittaker in the Hallmark Channel movie Love Begins.[23] He also appeared in the 2013 film Pendejo (Idiot). He had guest starring roles on , 90210, Supernatural and Criminal Minds.

It was announced in November 2013 that he would be reprising the role of Billy Abbott on The Young and the Restless, replacing Billy Miller.[24] Four months after his return, he was abruptly fired and replaced with Burgess Jenkins. Tom said he was replaced because he looked too young when paired with his love interest, Cady McClain.[25] [26]

Tom guest-starred in episodes of and NCIS in 2015. He also played the role of Tobey in the film Chasing Yesterday.[27] In 2019, Tom played Staff Sgt. Kuhn in the film D-Day: Battle of Omaha Beach.[28]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1988Plain ClothesUncredited
1992 Stay Tuned Darryl Knable
1993 Swing Kids Willi
1995 Roommates Michael (age 15)
1997 Walking Thunder Jacob McKay
1998 Pleasantville Whitey
2004 The Hazing Jacob
2013 Pendejo (Idiot) George
2015 Chasing Yesterday Tobey
2019 D-Day: Battle of Omaha Beach Staff Sgt. Kuhn

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1989 Just the Ten of Us Kid Episode: "A Couple of Swells"
1989–1990 Brand New Life Bart McCray Main cast6 episodes
1990Get a Life Otto Episode: "Dadicus"
Salute Your Shorts "Sponge" Harris Episode: "Welcome to Bunk 13" (Pilot)
1992 Stepfather III Andy Davis Television film
1993 Quantum Leap Daniel Burke 2 episodes
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Lewis Bing 3 episodes
A Place to Be Loved Brian Russ Television film
1994 Summertime Switch Todd Television film
1995 Sister, Sister Denny Episode: "Private School"
1998 Nothing Sacred Rudy Episode: "Sex, God and Reality"
Maggie Billy Dreyer Episode: "The Other Woman"
1999 Party of Five Heath 2 episodes
Cousin Skeeter Joe Steele 2 episodes
The '60s Tommy Television mini-series
Holy Joe David Cass Television filmAlso known as: Man of Miracles
1999–2002;2013-2014 The Young and the Restless Contract role243 episodes;
57 episodes
2003 Titletown Unaired pilot
2004–2005 One Life to Live Contract role
2004 All My Children Recurring role16 episodes
2006–2007 Veronica Mars Chip Diller 7 episodes
2007 Supernatural Curtis Episode: "Tall Tales"
2008 Criminal Minds Georgie Galen Episode: "Damaged"
Good Behavior Cozy Boy Unaired pilot
2010 Roommates Brady 6 episodes
2011 Allen Krick Episode: "73 Seconds"
Love Begins Daniel Whittaker Television film
2012 90210 Club Manager Episode: "Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot?"
2015 Phil Burke Episode: "Rock-a-Bye-Baby"
NCIS Maple Episode: "Lockdown"

Awards and nominations

!Year!Award!Category!Title!Result!Ref.
1992Young Artist AwardBest Young Actor in a Cable MovieStepfather III
Young Artist AwardBest Young Actor Co-Starring in a Motion PictureStay Tuned
1993Young Artist AwardOutstanding Youth Ensemble in a Motion Picture (shared with Christian Bale, Robert Sean Leonard, and Frank Whaley)Swing Kids
2000Daytime Emmy AwardOutstanding Younger Actor in a Drama SeriesThe Young and the Restless
Soap Opera Digest AwardOutstanding Male NewcomerThe Young and the Restless
2001Daytime Emmy AwardOutstanding Younger Actor in a Drama SeriesThe Young and the Restless
Soap Opera Digest AwardOutstanding Younger Lead ActorThe Young and the Restless

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Celebrities: Nicholle Tom and David Tom . https://web.archive.org/web/20111117034148/http://www.mylifetime.com/lifestyle/entertainment/celebrities/nicholle-tom-and-david-tom . November 17, 2011 . November 17, 2011 . My Lifetime.
  2. Byron . Ellen . February 4, 1992 . Troubled Teen . . 17 . 3 . 118–122.
  3. Web site: Tom, David 1978 - . https://web.archive.org/web/20230528054453/https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/tom-david-1978 . May 28, 2023 . May 28, 2024 . Encyclopedia.
  4. Web site: Credits: David Tom . https://web.archive.org/web/20230204060545/https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/david-tom/credits/3000103291/ . February 4, 2023 . May 27, 2024 . TV Guide.
  5. Web site: Scott . Tony . June 4, 1992 . Stepfather III . https://web.archive.org/web/20210517050913/https://variety.com/1992/tv/reviews/stepfather-iii-1200430135/ . May 17, 2021 . May 27, 2024 . Variety.
  6. Web site: Stay Tuned - Full Cast & Crew . https://web.archive.org/web/20240527224614/https://www.tvguide.com/movies/stay-tuned/cast/2030113576/ . May 27, 2024 . May 27, 2024 . TV Guide.
  7. Web site: Fourteenth Annual Youth in Film Awards 1991-1992 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120624121043/http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms14.htm . June 24, 2012 . June 24, 2012 . Young Artist Awards.
  8. Web site: Fifteenth Annual Youth in Film Awards 1992-1993 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120624124331/http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms15.htm . June 24, 2012 . June 24, 2012 . Young Artist Awards.
  9. Web site: Swing Kids - Full Cast & Crew . https://web.archive.org/web/20240527225054/https://www.tvguide.com/movies/swing-kids/cast/2000105716/ . May 27, 2024 . May 27, 2024 . TV Guide.
  10. Web site: About the Actors: David Tom . https://web.archive.org/web/20240421184631/https://www.soapcentral.com/theactors/tom_david.php . April 21, 2024 . April 21, 2024 . Soap Central.
  11. Web site: Everett . Todd . April 1, 1993 . Cbs Sunday Movie a Place to Be Loved . https://web.archive.org/web/20240207225151/https://variety.com/1993/tv/reviews/cbs-sunday-movie-a-place-to-be-loved-1200432111/ . February 7, 2024 . May 27, 2024 . Variety.
  12. Web site: Summertime Switch - 1994 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230329013800/https://www.avclub.com/film/reviews/summertime-switch-1994 . March 29, 2023 . May 27, 2024 . AV Club.
  13. Web site: Walking Thunder - Full Cast & Crew . https://web.archive.org/web/20240527230737/https://www.tvguide.com/movies/walking-thunder/cast/2000005865/ . May 27, 2024 . May 27, 2024 . TV Guide.
  14. Web site: Holy Joe Man of Miracles (1999) . https://web.archive.org/web/20200812151027/https://www.southport-oakisland.com/listing/holy-joe-man-of-miracles-1999.html . August 12, 2020 . May 27, 2024 . Southport-Oak Island Chamber of Commerce.
  15. Web site: Kroll . Dan J. . March 24, 2002 . One Tom in, One Tom out . https://web.archive.org/web/20240421184632/https://www.soapcentral.com/young-and-restless/news/2002/0408-tom.php . April 21, 2024 . April 21, 2024 . Soap Central.
  16. Web site: May 23, 2000 . ABC's Daytime Emmy Awards Count Reaches 17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240529172549/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-may-23-ca-32924-story.html . May 29, 2024 . May 29, 2024 . The L.A. Times.
  17. Web site: Bernstein . Paula . March 13, 2001 . Regis tracks two Emmys . https://web.archive.org/web/20230531152100/https://variety.com/2001/tv/awards/regis-tracks-two-emmys-1117795353/ . May 31, 2023 . May 29, 2024 . Variety.
  18. Web site: April 14, 2003 . 2000 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230306142550/https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/2000-0/ . March 6, 2023 . May 28, 2024 . Soap Opera Digest.
  19. Web site: Kroll . Dan J. . February 19, 2004 . David Tom to assume role of Paul Cramer . https://web.archive.org/web/20240421184632/https://www.soapcentral.com/one-life-to-live/news/2004/0223-tom.php . April 21, 2024 . April 21, 2024 . Soap Central.
  20. Web site: Kroll . Dan J. . September 6, 2004 . David Tom to exit OLTL . https://web.archive.org/web/20240421184633/https://www.soapcentral.com/one-life-to-live/news/2004/0906-tom.php . April 21, 2024 . April 21, 2024 . Soap Central.
  21. Web site: The Hazing - Full Cast & Crew . https://web.archive.org/web/20240528185137/https://www.tvguide.com/movies/the-hazing/cast/2030133285/ . May 28, 2024 . May 28, 2024 . TV Guide.
  22. Web site: Logan . Michael . January 17, 2014 . Exclusive: David Tom Previews His Return — After 12 Years — to The Young and the Restless . https://web.archive.org/web/20230205175120/https://www.tvguide.com/news/young-restless-david-tom-return-1076122/ . February 5, 2023 . May 28, 2024 . TV Guide.
  23. Web site: Love Begins . https://web.archive.org/web/20240528203652/https://www.avclub.com/film/reviews/love-begins-2010 . May 28, 2024 . May 28, 2024 . AV Club.
  24. Web site: Kenneally . Tim . November 19, 2013 . 'Young and the Restless' Brings David Tom Back After Billy Miller Exit . https://web.archive.org/web/20240421184635/https://www.thewrap.com/young-restless-brings-david-tom-back-billy-miller-exit/ . April 21, 2024 . April 21, 2024 . The Wrap.
  25. Web site: Kroll . Dan J. . May 23, 2014 . Shocker: David Tom Out, Y&R recasts Billy . https://web.archive.org/web/20240421184632/https://www.soapcentral.com/young-and-restless/news/2014/0523-tom_jenkins.php . April 21, 2024 . April 21, 2024 . Soap Central.
  26. Web site: May 29, 2014 . David Tom Speaks Out On Reason He Was Told He Was Being Let-Go From Y&R! . https://web.archive.org/web/20240421184634/https://michaelfairmantv.com/david-tom-speaks-out-on-reason-he-was-told-he-was-being-let-go-from-yr/2014/05/29/ . April 21, 2024 . April 21, 2024 . Michael Fairman TV.
  27. Web site: May 9, 2016 . Former AMC & The Bay's Eric Nelsen Stars In New Film Chasing Yesterday With Soap Alums: David Gregory and David Tom! . https://web.archive.org/web/20230129212614/https://michaelfairmantv.com/former-amc-the-bays-eric-nelsen-stars-in-new-film-chasing-yesterday-with-soap-alums-david-gregory-and-david-tom/2016/05/09/ . January 29, 2023 . May 28, 2024 . Michael Fairman TV.
  28. Web site: D-Day: Battle of Omaha Beach . https://web.archive.org/web/20230611000445/https://www.avclub.com/film/reviews/d-day-battle-of-omaha-beach-2019 . June 11, 2023 . May 28, 2024 . AV Club.