| Tom Towles | |||
| Birth Date: | 20 March 1950 | ||
| Birth Place: | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | ||
| Death Place: | Pinellas, Florida, U.S. | ||
| Occupation: | Actor | ||
| Yearsactive: | 1971–2008 | ||
| Known For: | Night of the Living Dead House of 1000 Corpses Miami Vice NYPD Blue Blood in Blood out | ||
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Tom Towles (March 20, 1950 – April 2, 2015) was an American character actor of film, theatre, and television, known for his portraying villains and intimidating supporting characters. His breakthrough role as Otis in (1986) earned him an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Supporting Male. He appeared in numerous films and television series including Night of the Living Dead, Blood In Blood Out, The Rock, NYPD Blue, Dr. Dolittle, The Devil's Rejects, Miami Vice, and Malcolm in the Middle.
Towles was born on March 20, 1950[1] in Chicago, Illinois.[2] He had a sister by the name of Kai.[3] Prior to acting, Towles briefly served in the United States Marine Corps.[4] [5]
In 1971, Towles began his acting career in Chicago where he performed as a member of the Organic Theater Company.[6] He made his film debut portraying a minor role as a cop in Dog Day Afternoon (1975).[7] Afterwards, Towles returned to Chicago to continue performing with the Organic Theater Company, as well as performing at the Goodman Theatre.[8] After a decade-long hiatus, Towles returned to the screen in the film Pink Nights (1985).[9]
Towles made his breakthrough role as Otis in Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer. His character was based on real-life serial killer Ottis Toole.[10] [11]
Towles also appeared on television in such shows as Seinfeld, NYPD Blue, L.A. Law, ER, , and Firefly.[12] [13] [14] [15]
Towles frequently collaborated with filmmaker Rob Zombie, appearing in House of 1000 Corpses (2003), The Devil's Rejects (2005), Halloween (2007) and Grindhouse (2007).[16]
Towles died on April 2, 2015, at the age of 65,[17] [18] in a hospital in Pinellas, Florida of complications following a stroke.[19]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Dog Day Afternoon | Cop | Uncredited | |
| 1985 | Pink Nights | Ralph | ||
| 1986 | Otis | Nominated- Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male | ||
| 1989 | The Borrower | Bob Laney | Nominated- Fangoria Chainsaw Award for Best Supporting Actor | |
| 1990 | Men Don't Leave | Evan Taylor | ||
| Night of the Living Dead | Harry Cooper | |||
| 1991 | The Pit and the Pendulum | Don Carlos Molina | ||
| 1992 | Fortress | Stiggs | ||
| 1993 | Blood In Blood Out | "Red" Ryder | ||
| Mad Dog and Glory | Andrew, The Beater | |||
| 1996 | God's Lonely Man | Steven | ||
| Normal Life | Frank Anderson | |||
| 1996 | The Rock | Alcatraz Park Ranger | ||
| 1997 | Gridlock'd | Max | ||
| Warriors of Virtue | General Grillo | |||
| Night of the Lawyers | Moriarty | |||
| 1998 | The Prophecy II | Detective Waltrip | ||
| Dr. Dolittle | German Shepherd | Voice | ||
| 2000 | More Dogs Than Bones | Detective Waltrip | ||
| 2002 | Groom Lake | Dietz | ||
| 2003 | House of 1000 Corpses | Deputy George Wydell | ||
| 2005 | The Devil's Rejects | |||
| 2006 | Miami Vice | Coleman | ||
| 2007 | Grindhouse | Lieutenant Boorman | Segment "Werewolf Women of the SS" | |
| Home Sick | Uncle Johnny | |||
| Halloween | Larry Redgrave | |||
| 2008 | Blood on the Highway | Louis Debois | Final film role |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Jack and Mike | Maxie | Episode: "Charity Ball" |
| High Mountain Rangers | T.J. Cousins | Episode: "Pilot" | |
| 1988 | Sable | Eddie | Episode: "Mob" |
| 1992 | Mann & Machine | Lomax | Episode: "Mann's Fate" |
| 1993 | Hon'Tihl | Episode: "Dramatis Personae" | |
| Seinfeld | Tough Guy | Episode: "The Glasses" | |
| 1993-1994 | NYPD Blue | Inspector Anthony Lastarza | Recurring role; Season 1 |
| Bakersfield P.D. | Riley | 2 episodes | |
| 1994 | L.A. Law | Warden Geoff Ropella | Episode: "Three on a Patch" |
| Girls in Prison | Norman Stoneface | Television film | |
| 1995 | VR.5 | Shepard | Episode: "Dr. Strangechild" |
| 1996 | Pacific Blue | Mr. Baron | Episode: "Rapscallions" |
| ER | Matthew | Episode: "No Brain, No Gain" | |
| 3rd Rock from the Sun | Dale | Episode: "Gobble, Gobble, Dick, Dick" | |
| Night Stand with Dick Dietrick | Mad Cow | Episode: "Uniting Love Ones" | |
| 1997 | Profiler | Steve Calagian | Episode: "Learning From the Masters" |
| Dr. Vatm | Episode: "Rise" | ||
| 1998 | Mercenary II: Thick & Thin | Colonel Chamaro | Television film |
| Maximum Bob | Ike Worth | Episode: "Once Bitten..." | |
| The Pretender | Jack Brevins | Episode: "Parole" | |
| 1999 | Lansky | Nick | Television film |
| The Drew Carey Show | Detective Streible | Episode: "Drew Tries to Kill Mimi" | |
| 2001 | 18 Wheels of Justice | Ray Palmeri | Episode: "The Interrogation" |
| 2002 | Firefly | Lund | Episode: "The Train Job" |
| Push, Nevada | BRB | Recurring role; Season 1 | |
| Robbery Homicide Division | Kevin Molas | Episode: "Wild Ride" | |
| 2003 | Crossing Jordan | Bill Williamson | Episode: "Wild Card" |
| Zeke | Episode: "Homebodies" | ||
| Malcolm in the Middle | Ethan | Episode: "Christmas Trees" |