Tom Berenger

Photo of Tom Berenger

Biography

Having first established himself in brooding, aggressive roles, actor Tom Berenger first came to the public's attention as the self-effacing Tom Selleck-like television star in Lawrence Kasdan's iconic drama, "The Big Chill" (1983). But it was his hard-edged turn as the Vietnam War-scarred Sergeant Barnes in "Platoon" (1986) that turned the relatively known actor into a bona fide star. Berenger next emerged in the unlikeliest of places, …
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Job Title

Actor, Producer

Born

May 31, 1949

Career Milestones

2012

Co-starred with Kevin Costner and Bill Paxton in The History Channel miniseries "Hatfields & McCoys"

2010

Played supporting role opposite Dwayne Johnson in the action drama "Faster"

2010

Co-starred with Leonardo DiCaprio in the Christopher Nolan-directed sci-fi thriller "Inception"

2007

Cast as The Commander on the ABC drama "October Road"

2003

Cast in a recurring role on USA Network's "Peacemakers"

2001

Acted opposite Denzel Washington in "Training Day"

2001

Landed lead role in drama thriller "Watchtower"

1998

Starred in "One Man's Hero" as Tom Riley, a member of the St Patrick Brigade, a group of Irish immigrants who fled to Mexico and fought for their adopted country in Mexican-American War

1998

Portrayed Pete Randle in Robert Altman's "The Gingerbread Man"

1997

Produced and starred as Teddy Roosevelt in TNT miniseries "Rough Riders"

1996

Played mercenary-turned-substitute teacher in "The Substitute"

1995

Co-produced and starred in TNT movie "The Avenging Angel"

1994

Reprised Jake Taylor role for "Major League II"

1993

Stole Kirstie Alley's heart on the final two episodes of long-running NBC sitcom "Cheers"; Alley had also acted with him in "Shoot to Kill"

1993

Turned in solid portrayal as Confederate General James Longstreet in Turner Pictures epic "Gettysburg"

1989

Reunited with Stone for small role in "Born on the Fourth of July"

1989

Portrayed veteran catcher Jake Taylor in baseball comedy "Major League"

1988

Appeared opposite Mary McDonnell in the Long Wharf production of "National Anthems"

1988

His stubborn mountain guide teamed up with Sidney Poitier's big-city cop in "Shoot to Kill"

1988

Played white supremacist Gary Simmons in Costa-Gavras' "Betrayed"

1987

Starred opposite Mimi Rogers in "Someone to Watch Over Me"

1986

Earned an Academy Award nomination as Best Supporting Actor for his role in Oliver Stone's "Platoon"

1983

Acted the part of Frank 'Word Man' Ridgeway in "Eddie and the Cruisers"

1983

Delivered breakthrough role as Sam, the handsome but insecure TV star in Lawrence Kasdan's "The Big Chill"

1981

Returned to the stage to play Stanley Kowalski in "A Streetcar Named Desire" at the Milwaukee Rep

1977

Portrayed a psychotic killer on the prowl in "Looking for Mr. Goodbar"

1977

Film acting debut, "The Sentinel"

1977

Made TV-movie debut in "Johnny, We Hardly Knew Ye" (NBC)

1975

Played Timmie Siegal on ABC daytime soap "One Life To Live"

1975

Acted in Circle Repertory's "End As a Man" (1975) and the Long Wharf's "The Rose Tattoo" (1977), among other stage productions

1970

Acting debut in a college production of "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"

On a bet, tried out for a part in a college play

Awards

2012

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie in Hatfields & McCoys

1993

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor In a Comedy Series in Cheers

1986

Academy Award for Actor In a Supporting Role in Platoon

1986

Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture in Platoon