Tom Berenger

Tom Berenger is an actor whose work spans various eras and genres. Born as Thomas Michael Moore on May 31, 1949, this accomplished actor has delivered unforgettable performances in films such as Platoon, Looking for Mr. Goodbar, The Dogs of War, The Big Chill, and Inception. Berenger's role as Staff Sergeant Bob Barnes in Platoon led to his nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, marking a high point in his career. He is also well remembered for his roles in the Major League and Sniper franchises. Shifting away from film, Tom won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie for his portrayal of Jim Vance in the 2012 miniseries Hatfields & McCoys.

Beyond a successful acting profession, Tom Berenger had a vibrant early life and career, starting with his birth in Chicago, Illinois to a Catholic family of Irish ancestry. Before pursuing acting, Tom completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Missouri where he originally studied journalism. In the early 70s, he worked as a flight attendant with Eastern Airlines, and later transferred to New York to commence his acting career. His acting debut was in an independent film, Rush It, in 1976. He had a memorable stint in soap operas, most notably as lawyer Tim Siegel on One Life to Live. Berenger transitioned to film, later setting up the Tom Berenger Acting Scholarship Fund in 1988 to support theatre students.