Tom Atkins (actor)

Infobox actor


imagesize = 150px
name = Tom Atkins
birthdate = birth date and age|1935|11|13
birthplace = Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Tom Atkins (born November 13, 1935) is an American television and film actor. He is a familiar face to viewers, often playing police officers.

Personal life

Atkins was born in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, the son of Dorothy E. (née Williams) and George C. Atkins. [ [http://www.filmreference.com/film/83/Tom-Atkins.html Tom Atkins Biography (1935-) ] ] He is twice married and divorced. Currently resides in McMurray, PA.

Career

Atkins starred in two films directed by John Carpenter; appearing as Nick Castle in the 1980 ghost story "The Fog" and as Rehme in the 1981 sci-fi thriller "Escape from New York". He also starred as Dr. Dan Challis in the sequel "" directed by Tommy Lee Wallace and produced by John Carpenter.

He portrayed Detective Ray Cameron in the 1986 cult horror film "Night of the Creeps", a role Atkins calls his very favorite. He is well known to movie goers for his role as Michael Hunsaker in the 1987 hit film "Lethal Weapon". In television, Atkins played Lt. Alex Diehl in the 1970s television series "The Rockford Files". He reprised his role of Commander Diehl for a series of Rockford Files movies in the 1990s.

Atkins has made numerous guest appearances on many popular television shows, including M*A*S*H, "Baretta", "The Fall Guy", ', "Walker, Texas Ranger", and '.

He is a frequent player in shows at the Pittsburgh Public Theater, most famously in the one-man show "The Chief," in which he depicted the late founder of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Art Rooney. He appeared on Broadway in David Storey's "The Changing Room", for which he received the 1973 Drama Desk Award for Most Promising Performer.

Filmography

*"My Bloody Valentine 3D" (2009)
*"Trapped" (2008)
*"Out of the Black" (2001)
*"Turn of Faith" (2001)
*"Bruiser" (2001)
*"Striking Distance" (1993)
*"Sworn to Vengeance" (1993) (TV)
*"Bob Roberts" (1992)
*"The Heist" (1989) (TV)
*"Maniac Cop" (1988)
*"Lethal Weapon" (1987)
*"Night of the Creeps" (1986)
*"The New Kids" (1985)
*"Murder Me, Murder You" (1983)
*"Creepshow" {1982)
*"" (1982)
*"Desperate Lives" (1982) (TV)
*"Escape from New York" (1981)
*"The Fog" (1980)
*"The Detective" (1968)

References

External links

*imdb name|id=0040662|name=Tom Atkins
*amg name|2:2710|Tom Atkins
* [http://www.tomatkinsonline.net/ Tom Atkins Online]

Persondata
NAME= Atkins, Tom
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=
DATE OF BIRTH= November 13, 1935
PLACE OF BIRTH= Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=