Tom Bower (1938-2024): he's been in hiding for a long time!

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Tom Bower (1938-2024): he's been in hiding for a long time!

Profiles of the Working Actor
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First Published: March 2000 - (updated 6/6/2024)
Editor's Note:
We are saddened to report the passing of our dear friend Tom Bower who died suddenly at home on May 30, 2024 at the age of 86. He has now joined the love of his life, wife Ursula, who passed away just a couple of years ago leaving a gaping hole in his heart! He is now at peace and leaves us with a wonderful legacy of acting performances and advocacy for actor's causes we will long remember!
Tom Bower | Working Actor

Tom Bower | Working Actor

Tom Bower w/ Jon Voight | "Ray Donovan" (2103)
Tom Bower | Working Actor
Tom Bower | Working Actor
Tom Bower & Alex Rocco | "Lady in White" (1988)
Tom Bower | Working Actor
Tom Bower & Jeff Bridges- "Crazy Heart" (2009)
Tom Bower - "Gospel Hill" (2008)
Tom Bower - "Gospel Hill" (2008)
Tom Bower - "Gospel Hill" (2008)
Tom Bower | Working Actor
Tom Bower | Working Actor
Tom Bower | "It's Always Sunny in Philidelphia" (2005)
Tom Bower | "Low Fidelity" (2011)
Tom Bower | "Low Fidelity" (2011)
Tom Bower | "The Gardian" (2001)
Tom Bower | "The Killer Inside Me" (2010)
Tom Bower | "The Waltons" (1971)

Tom Bower was truly the essence of the working actor. His many varied screen performances rewarded him with a stable career in Hollywood. His tireless work with the Screen Actors Guild and in support of his fellow actor make him an example for all to follow.

Tom's motion picture credits include: The Million Dollar Hotel (Icon Productions, Wim Wenders, Director); Slipping Down Life (DVD Productions, Tony Kalem, Director) which premiered and was one of the films in competition at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival; Shadrach (Nu Image, Suzanna Styron, Director) which premiered and opened the 1998 Los Angeles Film Festival; The Negotiator (New Regency, F. Gary Gray, Director); Poodle Springs (Mirage, Citadel, Bob Rafelson, Director); The Buffalo Soldiers (Citadel, Charles Haid, Director); The Postman (Warner, Kevin Kostner, Director); Nixon (Disney, Oliver Stone, Director); Georgia (Miramax, Ulu Grossbard, Director); White Man's Burden (Rysher Entertainment, Desmond Nakano, Director); Clear and Present Danger (Paramount, Phillip Noyce, Director); Die Hard II (20th Century Fox, Renny Harlin, Director); Far From Home, the Adventures of Yellowdog (20th Century Fox, Phillip Borsos, Director); River's Edge (Island, Tim Hunter, Director); Wildrose (Troma, John Hanson, Director); The Ballad of Georgio Cortez (Embassy, Robert M. Young, Director); Shadows (John Cassavettes, Director); and many others.

Tom has also appeared on numerous television programs and MOW's including NYPD Blue, Monday After the Miracle (MOW,CBS, Dan Petrie, SR., Director); Riders of the Purple Sage for TNT, and Attica Against the Wall for HBO.

Also a veteran of the stage, Tom has appeared in more than 80 theatrical productions across the United States.

He is one of the founding members and is on the Board of Directors of the Loretta Theater in Santa Monica.

In 1981, Tom was invited by Robert Redford to be a resource actor at the Sundance Institute for film and television. He has remained active in the Institute since that time, and has served as a member of it's nominating committee.

Tom currently serves on the Board of Directors at the Screen Actors' Guild and is Co-Chairperson for the Film Festival Committee.

Tom Bower's advice to the aspiring actor:

The journeyman performer is being crushed by wage compression and runaway production, while the Industry they work in enjoys record-breaking economic growth"

He also shared this quote:

In most unions the salary is about the same. In our union, the salary ranges from a few hundred dollars to 20 million, but all of us must realize we are still members of SAG. In our union there is strength and we must have all the strength of the big top stars. They should help our union. I intend to do what I can to help Bill Daniels, President of Screen Actors Guild, lead all our members. I'm proud of the Screen Actors Guild and I will do everything I can to make it stronger "
Kirk Douglas, Hollywood General Membership Meeting, December 12, 1999.

"It is my job as a member of the Screen Actors Guild Board of Directors to serve that cause as illustrated by Mr. Douglas and it's incumbant upon all of us to join in that effort."
"Feel free to call me for information on how you too can become involved!"
(323) 650-5428.

Representation

Agent
United Talent Agency "UTA"
Representative: Ali Benmohamed (alib@unitedtalent.com)

Manager
Principal Entertainment LA
Phone: 310 446 1466
FAX: 310 446 1566
Representative: Marsha McManus (Marsha@principalentla.com)

Publicist
Kaelyn Hutchins
Principal Entertainment
9255 Sunset Blvd.
Suite 500
Los Angeles, CA 90069
tel: (310) 446-1466
fax: (310) 446-1566

Tom Bower's Credits

 2023 Lucky Hank (TV Series) 
Henry Devereaux Sr.

- The Chopping Block (2023) ... Henry Devereaux Sr.
- The Count of Monte Cristo (2023) ... Henry Devereaux Sr.
- The Arrival (2023) ... Henry Devereaux Sr.
 2023 We Have a Ghost 
Ernest Scheller
 2022 Double Down South 
Old Nick
 2022 Raymond & Ray 
Harris
 2020 Fully Realized Humans 
Richard
 2019 Senior Love Triangle 
William Selig
 2019 Two Ways Home 
Walter
 2019 The Last Big Save 
Robert
 2019/I As You Like It 
Jaques
 2019/I Light of My Life 
Tom

 2018 Goliath (TV Series)
Jim

- Tongue Tied (2018) ... Jim
- Alo (2018) ... Jim
 2017 The Zodiac Fighters (TV Series)
Rick Tellman

 2016-2017 Ice (TV Series)
Jonah Kreshman

- Clarity (2017) ... Jonah Kreshman
- The Line (2016) ... Jonah Kreshman
 2016 In Embryo
Ben (uncredited)

 2016 Bosch (TV Series)
John Caffrey

- Everybody Counts (2016) ... John Caffrey

 2015 Ray Donovan (TV Series)
Judge Roger Wettick

- Come and Knock on Our Door (2015) ... Judge Roger Wettick
 2015/I Lamb
Foster
 2015 Digging for Fire
Tom the Neighbor
 2014 As You Like It
Jaques
 2014 Runoff
Scratch
 2014 The Ever After
Father O'Meara
 2014 13 Sins
Father

 2013 Criminal Minds (TV Series)
Damon Miller

- Bully (2013) ... Damon Miller
 2013 Out of the Furnace
Dan Dugan

 2013 Grey's Anatomy (TV Series)
Mr. Schultz

- Transplant Wasteland (2013) ... Mr. Schultz
 2013 The Farm (TV Movie)
Heinrich

 2013 The Office (TV Series)
Heinrich

- The Farm (2013) ... Heinrich

 2005-2012 It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (TV Series)
Pop-Pop

- Pop-Pop: The Final Solution (2012) ... Pop-Pop
- The Gang Finds a Dead Guy (2005) ... Pop-Pop
 2011 A Good Thing (Short)
Ben
 2011 Low Fidelity
Ralph

 2011 Mr. Sunshine (TV Series)
General Mitch Tompkins

- Cohen and Donovan (2011) ... General Mitch Tompkins

 2011 Private Practice (TV Series)
Dennis Hoffman

- The Hardest Part (2011) ... Dennis Hoffman

 2010-2011 Futurestates (TV Series)
Grandfather / Narrator / John

- Asparagus (2011) ... Grandfather / Narrator
- The Rise (2010) ... John
 2011 I Melt with You
Captain Bob
 2011 Session
Dr. Albert Solomon
 2010 After the Denim (Short)
James Packer
 2010 Black Limousine
Mr. Esteridge

 2010 Rizzoli & Isles (TV Series)
Redmond Jones

- Boston Strangler Redux (2010) ... Redmond Jones
 2010 The Killer Inside Me
Sheriff Bob Maples
 2009 Red Mesa (Short)
Jenson
 2009 The Cleaner (Short)
Franklin
 2009 Crazy Heart
Bill Wilson
 2009 For Sale by Owner
Sheriff O'Hare

 2009 The Cleaner (TV Series)

- The Things We Didn't Plan (2009)

 2008 Little Britain USA (TV Series)
Pastor

- Episode #1.4 (2008) ... Pastor
 2008 Gospel Hill
Jack Herrod
 2008 Appaloosa
Abner Raines
 2008 Misconceptions
Judge Transome
 2008 Familiar Strangers
Frank Worthington

 2008 Monk (TV Series)
Bennie Wentworth

- Mr. Monk Paints His Masterpiece (2008) ... Bennie Wentworth
 2007 Pain Within
Joseph

 2007 Battlestar Galactica (TV Series)
Joe

- Taking a Break from All Your Worries (2007) ... Joe
 2006 Feel
Buck
 2006 Thr3e
Uncle Eugene Parson
 2006 Undoing
Don
 2006 Valley of the Heart's Delight
Sheriff Ackle
 2006 The Hills Have Eyes
Gas Station Attendant
 2006 Flannel Pajamas
Bill
 2005 North Country
Gray Suchett
 2005 Brothers of the Head
Eddie Pasqua

 2005 Cold Case (TV Series)
Curtis Collins 2005

- Best Friends (2005) ... Curtis Collins 2005
 2005 Fathers and Sons (TV Movie)
Vito (uncredited)
 2005 Barbara Jean (Short)
Teddy
 2005 The Amateurs
Floyd

 2004 NCIS (TV Series)
Sheriff Miller Thompson

- Vanished (2004) ... Sheriff Miller Thompson
 2004 How's My Driving (Short)
Charles Fisk
 2004 In the Land of Milk and Money
Lenny Cochran
 2004 Human Error
Merkin

 2003 The Guardian (TV Series)
Ray 'Rufus' Schmiel

- Let God Sort 'Em Out (2003) ... Ray 'Rufus' Schmiel
 2002 The Pennsylvania Miners' Story (TV Movie)
John Unger
 2002 The Badge
Bull Hardwick
 2002 High Crimes
FBI Agent Mullins

 2002 The Division (TV Series)
Bishop

- Forgive Me, Father (2002) ... Bishop
 2002 The Laramie Project (TV Movie)
Father Roger Schmit
 2001 Bill's Gun Shop
Tom

 2001 Law & Order (TV Series)
Whitten

- The Fire This Time (2001) ... Whitten

 2001 The Practice (TV Series)
John Pierce

- Vanished: Part 2 (2001) ... John Pierce
- Vanished: Part 1 (2001) ... John Pierce
 2001 Hearts in Atlantis
Len Files
 2001 Going Greek
Bill

 2001 The Beast (TV Series)
Tommy Tibideau

- The Delivery (2001) ... Tommy Tibideau

 2001 First Years (TV Series)
Roy Harrison

- There's No Place Like Homo (2001) ... Roy Harrison

 2000 The West Wing (TV Series)
General Barrie

- And It's Surely to Their Credit (2000) ... General Barrie
 2000 Pollock
Dan Miller

 2000 Roswell (TV Series)
Everett Hubble

- The Convention (2000) ... Everett Hubble

 1999 The X-Files (TV Series)
Sheriff Harden

- Rush (1999) ... Sheriff Harden
 1999 Malevolence
Jim Bradley
 1999 A Slipping-Down Life
Mr. Decker
 1998 Monday After the Miracle (TV Movie)
Uncle Ed
 1998 The Negotiator
Omar (uncredited)
 1998 Poodle Springs (TV Movie)
Arnie Burns
 1998 Four Corners (TV Series)
 1997 The Spittin' Image (Short)
 1997 The Postman
Larry (uncredited)
 1997 Buffalo Soldiers (TV Movie)
Gen. Pike
 1997 The Last Time I Committed Suicide
Captain (uncredited)
 1997 The Killing Jar
Det. Jake Pestone
 1996 Shaughnessy (TV Movie)
Marshall
 1996 Follow Me Home
Larry
 1996 Riders of the Purple Sage (TV Movie)
Judkins (uncredited)
 1995 Nixon
Frank Nixon
 1995 White Man's Burden
Stanley
 1995 Georgia
Erwin Flood
 1995 The Avenging Angel (TV Movie)
Bill Hickman

 1994 NYPD Blue (TV Series)
Victor Ugo

- The Final Adjustment (1994) ... Victor Ugo
 1994 Clear and Present Danger
Clark's Pilot (uncredited)
 1994 Against the Wall (TV Movie)
Ed

 1993 Murder in the Heartland (TV Mini-Series)
Marion Bartlett

- Episode #1.2 (1993) ... Marion Bartlett
- Episode #1.1 (1993) ... Marion Bartlett
 1993 Shimmer
Mr. Speck
 1993 The Ballad of Little Jo
Lyle Hogg (uncredited)
 1993 Relentless 3 (Video)
Captain Phelan
 1992 Love Can Be Murder (TV Movie)
Mike Riordan
 1992 Revenge on the Highway (TV Movie)
Officer Russell Yates
 1992 Raising Cain
Sgt. Cally
 1992 American Me
Dornan (uncredited)
 1992 Aces: Iron Eagle III
Crawford
 1991 Talent for the Game
Rev. Bodeen

 1991 Love, Lies and Murder (TV Mini-Series)
Leverette

- Episode #1.2 (1991) ... Leverette
- Episode #1.1 (1991) ... Leverette
 1991 Dillinger (TV Movie)
Capt. Leach
 1990 Die Hard 2
Marvin

 1990 China Beach (TV Series)
Archie Winslow

- The Thanks of a Grateful Nation (1990) ... Archie Winslow
 1989 Desperado: The Outlaw Wars (TV Movie)
Billy Dobbs
 1989 Wired
Detective

 1989 Gideon Oliver (TV Series)
Sheriff Talbott

- Kennonite (1989) ... Sheriff Talbott
 1989 Nightbreaker (TV Movie)
Dan Cutler
 1989 True Believer
Cecil Skell
 1988 Distant Thunder
Louis

 1988 Knightwatch (TV Series)
Father Jim

- Knights of the City (1988) ... Father Jim
 1988 Split Decisions
Detective Walsh
 1988 Promised a Miracle (TV Movie)
Michael Elliot
 1988 Lady in White
Sheriff Saunders
 1988 What Price Victory (TV Movie)
Eldon Ray

 1987 Private Eye (TV Series)
Tom McGuinnes

- Both Sides of the Same Coin (1987) ... Tom McGuinnes
 1987 Family Sins (TV Movie)
Sheriff
 1987 Beverly Hills Cop II
Russ Fielding

 1987 Ohara (TV Series)
Laxa

- Will (1987) ... Laxa

 1986-1987 Dallas (TV Series)
Mancuso

- So Shall Ye Reap (1987) ... Mancuso
- Proof Positive (1986) ... Mancuso
 1986 River's Edge
Bennett

 1985-1986 Crazy Like a Fox (TV Series)

- Dead on Arrival (1986)
- ...Till Death Do Us Part (1985)

 1981-1986 Hill Street Blues (TV Series)
De Petrus / Narcotics Cop

- Larry of Arabia (1986) ... De Petrus
- Jungle Madness (1981) ... Narcotics Cop

 1985 Miami Vice (TV Series)
C.I.A. Agent Carter

- Bushido (1985) ... C.I.A. Agent Carter

 1985 Hardcastle and McCormick (TV Series)
Marty Torrance

- Strangle Hold (1985) ... Marty Torrance

 1985 Misfits of Science (TV Series)
Jeffries

- Guess What's Coming to Dinner (1985) ... Jeffries
 1985 The Lightship
Coop

 1984 Murder, She Wrote (TV Series)
Jonathan Bailey

- Deadly Lady (1984) ... Jonathan Bailey
 1984 Massive Retaliation
Kirk Fredericks
 1984 Wildrose
Rick Ogaard

 1982 American Playhouse (TV Series)
Boone Choate

- The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez (1982) ... Boone Choate

 1982 Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color (TV Series)
Eli Nugent

- Tales of the Apple Dumpling Gang (1982) ... Eli Nugent

 1980 Quincy M.E. (TV Series)
Mr. Royce

- Deadly Arena (1980) ... Mr. Royce (as Tim Bower)
 1979 When Hell Was in Session (TV Movie)
Lt. Jim Norton

 1979 Barnaby Jones (TV Series)
Baxter

- A Short Happy Life (1979) ... Baxter

 1979 Lou Grant (TV Series)
Lind

- Fire (1979) ... Lind
 1978 The Winds of Kitty Hawk (TV Movie)
William Tate

 1975-1978 The Waltons (TV Series)
Dr. Curtis Willard / Rex Barker

- The Obsession (1978) ... Dr. Curtis Willard
- The Anniversary (1978) ... Dr. Curtis Willard
- The Milestone (1977) ... Dr. Curtis Willard
- The Battle of Drucilla's Pond (1977) ... Dr. Curtis Willard
- The First Casualty (1977) ... Dr. Curtis Willard
See all 26 episodes
 1978 The Dain Curse (TV Mini-Series)
Sgt. O'Gar
 1977 The 3,000 Mile Chase (TV Movie)
Richette

 1977 Kingston: Confidential (TV Series)
Vincent Ross

- Eight Columns Across the Top (1977) ... Vincent Ross

 1974-1976 The Rockford Files (TV Series)
Jeff Cooperman / Officer Hensley

- The Trouble with Warren (1976) ... Jeff Cooperman
- The Dark and Bloody Ground (1974) ... Officer Hensley
 1976 Two-Minute Warning
The S.W.A.T. Team - Decker

 1976 Baretta (TV Series)
Eddie Ryan

- Street Edition (1976) ... Eddie Ryan

 1976 The Blue Knight (TV Series)
Lt. Hadley / Lieutenant Miller

- Upward Mobility (1976) ... Lt. Hadley
- Bull's Eye (1976)
- Everybody Needs a Little Attention (1976) ... Lieutenant Miller

 1976 The Bionic Woman (TV Series)
Ted Ryan

- The Jailing of Jaime (1976) ... Ted Ryan
 1976 The Commitment
Abe
 1975 A Woman for All Men
Construction Worker

 1974 Kojak (TV Series)
Brenner

- A Souvenir from Atlantic City (1974) ... Brenner

 1974 Get Christie Love! (TV Series)

- Deadly Betrayal (1974)
 1973 Incident at Vichy (TV Movie)
Police Guard
  • Theater
  • "Water and Wine" — Act One Productions/Met Theater Los Angeles, CA
  • "Brush Strokes" — Met Theater, Los Angeles, CA
  • "Tent Show" — Met Theater, Los Angeles, CA
  • "Traveler in the Dark" — Wisdom Bridge Theater Co., Chicago, ILL.
  • "Quartermaine's Terms" — Cricket Theater, Minneapolis, MN
  • "Fool for Love" — Cricket Theater, Minneapolis, MN
  • "The Chicago Conspiracy Trial" — Odyssey Theater Co.
  • "The Blood Knot" — Actors for Themselves
  • "Are You Now Or Have You Ever Been" — Actors for Themselves
  • "Picnic" — Met Theater
  • Producer Credits
  • 2004 "Neither Wolf Nor Dog" (Associate Producer)
  • 2001 "Human Error" (Executive Producer)
  • 2001 "Bill's Gun Shop" (Co-Producer)
  • 1992 Murray Mednick's "Scar" starring Ed Harris at the Met Theater
  • 1991 World Premiere of Tom Grimes' "Spec" at the Met Theater
  • 1989 World Premiere of David Higgins' "Bonus Baby" at the Victory Theater, Burbank, CA
  • 1987 World Premiere of John Patrick Stanley's "Italian American Reconcilliation" at the Gnu Theater, Los Angeles, CA
  • Founder and member of the Board of Directors of the Met Theater
  • Sundance Institute: Member of the Nominating Commettee — Resource Actor 1981 & 1985
  • Member of the Actors Studio
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Comments

Submitted by Bubba Tue, 02/28/2017 - 08:38

... that this is a great post. And I must add that it was a joy watching the reading progress on the sidebar while scrolling down and reading!

Submitted by BSimon Tue, 02/28/2017 - 08:40

Tom is a class act... Not only has he been acting fantastically for over a half a century, he is accessible and devoted to the benefits of all actors!

Some of his performances have truly been remarkable. But then again, that could be dangerous :)