Tom Arnold

Photo of Tom Arnold

Biography

With an early career overshadowed by his marriage to larger-than-life comedienne Rosanne Barr, and a performance delivery akin to a highly caffeinated 14-year-old kid with self-esteem issues, by most accounts Tom Arnold should have faded from public view shortly after the notorious couple's bitter divorce. And yet, the comic actor persevered, working steadily in both film and on television as actor, comedian and media personality. Prior to …
Read More »

Job Title

Actor, Director, Producer, Writer

Born

Thomas Duane Arnold on March 6, 1959 in Ottumwa, Iowa, USA

Career Milestones

2012

Appeared opposite Kristen Bell and Bradley Cooper in action comedy "Hit and Run"

2012

Appeared in the comedy "Tyler Perry's Madea's Witness Protection"

2009

Landed recurring guest role on "Sons of Anarchy" (FX)

2007

Cast opposite Terrence Howard in the inner-city sports drama "Pride"

2005

Wrote and starred in the comedy "The Kid and I"

2005

Landed first romantic leading man role in "Happy Endings"

2001

Co-hosted the Fox Sports program "Best Damn Sports Show Period"

1997

Returned to series TV as star of The WB sitcom "The Tom Show"

1996

Co-starred with Rick Moranis in "Big Bully"

1995

Played a supporting role in the comedy "Nine Months"

1994

Formed the production company Clean Break Productions

1994

Appeared as the sidekick to Arnold Schwarzenegger's character in the James Cameron feature film "True Lies"

1994

Created and produced the short-lived CBS sitcom "Tom"; also wrote the pilot episode

1993

Signed a long-term TV production deal with Warner Bros., with projects to be produced under the Wappello County Productions banner

1992

Created, executive produced and starred in the series "The Jackie Thomas Show" (ABC)

1992

First substantial feature acting credit, "Hero"

1991

Made TV movie acting debut in "Backfield in Motion" (ABC)

1991

First HBO special, "Tom Arnold: The Naked Truth"

1991

Made feature film debut in a cameo (with Roseanne) in "Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare"

1991

TV-movie acting debut, "Backfield in Motion"

1990

Executive produced the Saturday morning animated TV series "Little Rosey" (ABC)

Co-founded Wapello County Productions with Roseanne

1990

Debuted as a producer for the show "Roseanne" (ABC)

1990

Appeared occasionally on "Roseanne" (ABC) as the character 'Arnie Thomas'

1988

Hired as a writer for Barr's sitcom "Roseanne" (ABC)

1988

Moved to Los Angeles to pursue a standup comedy career

1988

Won the first place in the Minneapolis Comedy Competition

1987

Made TV debut in the HBO special "The Roseanne Barr Show"

1983

First met Roseanne Barr

1982

Began doing stand-up comedy when he was 23

Awards

1995

MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance in True Lies