This page uses content from the Tom Berenger biography page on the English version of Wikipedia and is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. This list of authors can be seen in the page history. Rotten Tomatoes disclaims any and all warranties as to the accuracy or reliability of the content.

Tom Berenger (born May 31, 1949) is an American actor known mainly for his roles in action films.

Berenger was born Thomas Michael Moore to an Irish Catholic family in Chicago, Illinois. He studied journalism at the University of Missouri, but decided to seek an acting career following his graduation. He worked first in regional theatre and moved to New York City in the 1970s. He worked in soap operas and had a starring role on One Life to Live.

Berenger's film debut was the lead in Rush It (1976), an independent film now mostly forgotten except for its cast members who went on to greater renown. In 1977, Berenger had a small but noticeable role as a murderer in Looking for Mr. Goodbar. In [1978], he had a starring role in "In Praise of Older Women" for Avco-Internation Pictures. In 1979, he had the role of Butch Cassidy in Butch and Sundance: The Early Days, a role he got in part because of his resemblance to Paul Newman, who played the character in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) These early roles highlight Berenger's ability to play both villains and heroes.

Berenger's film career peaked in the 1980s starting with The Big Chill (1983). In 1986, he received an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of the sociopathic Sgt. Barnes in Platoon. In the mid-1990s he was most recognizable in his role from the movie Sniper, and its later sequels.

In more recent years, Berenger has continued to have an active acting career in film and television, although often at a supporting level. He also began a career as a producer in the 1990s.

Berenger has been married three times; to Barbara Wilson (1975-1985), Lisa Williams (1986-1997) and to Trish Alvaran since 1997. Berenger has six children: Patrick, Allison, Chelsea, Chloe, Shiloh and Scout. Berenger resides in South Carolina.

Berenger will next appear in the mini-series version of Stephen King's Nightmares & Dreamscapes, as a celebrated author who realizes the warped painting he recently purchased, is alive with illustrations of impending doom for him in The Road Virus Heads North.

Filmography

• "The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey" (2007)
• Nightmares & Dreamscapes (2006)
• Into the West (2005)
• Sniper 3 (2004)
• Sniper 2 (2002)
• D-Tox (2002)
• Watchtower (2001)
• True Blue (2001)
• The Hollywood Sign (2001)
• Training Day (2001)
• Cutaway (2000)
• Takedown (2000)
• Fear of Flying (2000)
• Diplomatic Siege (1999)
• One Man's Hero (1999)
• A Murder of Crows (1999)
• Shadow of Doubt (1998)
• Rough Riders (1997)
• The Gingerbread Man (1998)
• An Occasional Hell (1996)
• The Substitute (1996)
• Last of the Dogmen (1995)
• Chasers (1994)
• Major League II (1994)
• Gettysburg (1993)
• Sliver (1993)
• Sniper (1993)
• At Play in the Fields of the Lord (1991)
• Shattered (1991)
• The Field (1990)
• Love at Large (1990)
• Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
• Major League (1989)
• Last Rites (1988)
• Betrayed (1988)
• Shoot to Kill (1988)
• Someone to Watch Over Me (1987)
• Platoon (1986)
• Rustlers' Rhapsody (1985)
• Fear City (1984)
• Eddie and the Cruisers (1983)
• The Big Chill (1983)
• Oltre la porta (1982)
• The Dogs of War (1981)
• Butch and Sundance: The Early Days (1979)
• In Praise of Older Women (1978)
• Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977)
• The Sentinel (1977)
• Rush It (1976)

Television

• [|One Life to Live]] (1968)
• The Detective (2004) (mini-series)
• Third Watch (2003, played Aaron Nobel Season 4 episodes 19-22)
• Peacemakers (2003)
• The Junction Boys (2002)
• Johnson County War (2002) (mini-series)
• In the Company of Spies (1999)
• Rough Riders (1997)
• Body Language (TV) (1995)
• The Avenging Angel (1995)
• If Tomorrow Comes (1986) (mini-series)
• Flesh & Blood (1979)
• Johnny, We Hardly Knew Ye (1977)

Brief Religious Period

Tom Berenger experienced a brief enlightenment from 1987-1989 when he discovered Scientology. Star, Sun, and other tabloids had a field day as Tom paraded around with Tom Cruise and other notable Toms of the Scientology religion. Berenger was quoted as saying "Once we convert Tom Selleck, the trio of Toms will bring true uplifting to the masses of The States" (citation needed). After being arrested for public intoxication, he was checked into the Betty Ford clinic for habitual abuse of opiates, he later denounced his endorsement of the Scientology religion (Star, 1994).

Trivia

In Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, the character of Gray Fox is modeled after Berenger's likeness.

External links

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