Tom Berenger
Birth Name:
Thomas Michael Moore
Birth Place:
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Profession
Actor, Producer, Writer, Soundtrack
Fast Facts
- In 1988 the Tom Berenger Acting Scholarship Fund was established to award students pursuing theater, recognizing their excellent performances
- Won a Golden Boot Award in 2000 for making significant contributions to the Western genre
- Studied journalism at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Mo․, but after he graduated he decided pursue acting instead, working as a bellman and a flight attendant before getting his first break
- Quote: "I first started thinking about being an actor when I was in college at the University of Missouri․ I auditioned for a television play, and the director, who has some professional New York credits, encouraged me to pursue acting․"
- Quote: "(On playing the roles of tough or outright bad guys) "I enjoy playing them․ I find something human in them, with the exception of Mr․ Goodbar․ It was such a slimy character with no redeeming qualities․ To me it was like playing Charles Manson․ I had nightmares after I finished shooting it․ I felt dirty․ [Bad guys] are interesting, even if you don't like them․""
- Received the role as Butch Cassidy for "Butch and Sundance: The Early Days" due to his resemblance to Paul Newman, who starred in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid․"
- Started out playing aggressive, brooding roles on programs including "The Big Chill․"
- His role as a hard-edged and sociopathic Sergeant in "Platoon" solidified his position as a star
- Is fluent in Spanish and Italian and is an American history buff
- Enjoys playing villains and trying to find the humanity in them
Awards
- 1987Oscar - Best Actor in a Supporting Role:Nominated
- 1987Golden Globe - Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture:Winner
- 1993Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series:Nominated
- 1994Razzie Award - Worst Supporting Actor:Nominated
- 1998Lone Star Film & Television Award - Best TV Actor:Winner
- 2004Bronze Wrangler - Fictional Television Drama:Winner
- 2007Felix - Best Supporting Actor:Nominated
- 2009Maverick Movie Award - Best Supporting Actor: Feature:Nominated
- 2010PFCS Award - Best Ensemble Acting:Nominated
- 2010WAFCA Award - Best Acting Ensemble:Nominated
- 2011COFCA Award - Best Ensemble:Nominated
- 2011Gold Derby Film Award - Ensemble Cast:Nominated
- 2012Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie:Winner
- 2013Bronze Wrangler - Western Documentary:Winner