Tim Thomerson

Infobox actor

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imagesize =
name = Tim Thomerson
|birthdate = birth date and age|1946|4|8
birthplace = Coronado, California, U.S.
birthname = Joseph Timothy Thomerson
occupation=Film, television actor
spouse = Teri Blythe

Joseph Timothy "Tim" Thomerson (born April 8, 1946) is an American actor and comedian. Most famous for his role as Jack Deth in the "Trancers" series, Thomerson is renowned for his work in numerous low-budget movies and his comedic television roles.

Thomerson was born in Coronado, California and was raised in Hawaii and San Diego. After a stint in the National Guard, Thomerson drifted into acting while working backstage at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, a well-known venue for Shakespearean productions. He worked at the Globe as a prop man and set builder and it was there that he met respected character actor, Anthony Zerbe who suggested that he study with Stella Adler in New York.

After spending some time in college, Thomerson took Zerbe’s advice and moved to New York to study with Adler. Thomerson had always had an interest in stand-up comedy and it was while in New York that he also began to hone his skills as a stand-up comedian. He started working such clubs as The Bitter End in Greenwich Village, Bud Friedman’s Improvisation, Catch a Rising Star as well as the Catskills.

Career

At the completion of his studies with Ms. Adler, Thomerson came back to California to pursue his stand-up career. The comedy boom was happening and Thomerson was in the middle of it along with comics like David Letterman, Jay Leno and Freddie Prinze. Back in L.A., he became a regular at the Comedy Store and the Improv as well as making numerous appearances on television variety shows, and in Las Vegas.

During Thomerson’s almost 30-year career, he has played a wide variety of film and television roles. Over the years he has developed a loyal fan base because of Sci-fi cult heroes like Jack Deth in the "Trancers" films, Brick Bardo in the "Dollman" series and Farnsworth from the "Nemesis" Trilogy. His long list of film credits also includes: "Uncommon Valor", "Air America", "Volunteers", "Who’s Harry Crumb?", "Iron Eagle", and "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas", just to name a few, as well as numerous television roles such as "Tour of Duty". In the 90’s he was a series regular on the television police drama "Sirens" followed by a regular, co-starring role on the series "Land’s End" starring 'Fred Dryer. Thomerson has worked with some of his favorite actors including Gene Hackman, Clint Eastwood, Wilford Brimley, Richard Farnsworth and his personal comic hero, Richard Pryor.

Initial success

One of Thomerson's early acting breaks came from director Robert Altman who, after seeing Thomerson's stand-up act, cast him in the film "A Wedding". At this early stage of Thomerson’s movie career he found himself surrounded by the likes of Vittorio Gassman, Carol Burnett, Geraldine Chaplin and a very young Dennis Franz.

Thomerson first came to prominence in the comedy science-fiction TV series "Quark" in 1977-78, as Gene/Jean, a character of dual gender who randomly switched from a macho to a feminine personality. Sadly, the show was short-lived.

Movie star

Thomerson's most famous role is that of Jack Deth, the hero of Charles Band's "Trancers" series. Playing against his comedic stylings, Thomerson played Deth as a hard-nosed epitome of machismo, like the sci-fi equivalent of Clint Eastwood in the "Dirty Harry" series. The character continued in four more sequels throughout the 1990s. (A fifth sequel, "Trancers 6", was released in 2002 but Thomerson was not involved).

Other career highlights include Babo in the adventure film "Air America" with Mel Gibson and Robert Downey, Jr., grimy mercenary Rhodes in "", demented cult leader Lester in "Cherry 2000", Loy in the horror classic "Near Dark", diminutive lawman Brick Bardo in "Dollman" and "Dollman vs. Demonic Toys", and a scruffy motorcyclist in Terry Gilliam's "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas". Thomerson is a stock player in the films of actor/director Michael Worth ("DUAL", "Devil On The Mountain", "God's Ears") and a favorite of director Albert Pyun ("Dollman", "Knights", "Nemesis").

In addition, Thomerson has made guest appearances on tv shows such as "Walker, Texas Ranger", "", "Xena, Warrior Princess", "Viper", "The District", and "Silk Stalkings".

Personal life

Thomerson's wife Teri Blythe has worked extensively in Hollywood as a script supervisor, make-up artist, casting director, and producer.

Thomerson was good friends with the late actor Brion James. Both served together as cooks in a tank company while in the Army Reserve in California. After their service, they both went to New York to break into acting.

Filmography

References

External links

*imdb name|id=0859772|name=Tim Thomerson
*amg name|2:70659
* [http://www.timthomerson.com Official site]