Tom Atkins (actor)

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Tom Atkins
Born	November 13, 1935 (1935-11-13) (age 72) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Tom Atkins (born November 13, 1935) is an American television and film actor. He is a familiar face to viewers, often playing police officers.

Contents 1 Personal life 2 Career 3 Filmography 4 References 5 External links

[edit] Personal life

Atkins was born in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, the son of Dorothy E. (née Williams) and George C. Atkins.^[1] He is twice married and divorced. Currently resides in McMurray, PA.

[edit] Career

Atkins starred in two films directed by John Carpenter; appearing as Nick Castle in the 1980 ghost story The Fog and as Rehme in the 1981 sci-fi thriller Escape from New York. He also starred as Dr. Dan Challis in the sequel Halloween III: Season of the Witch directed by Tommy Lee Wallace and produced by John Carpenter.

He portrayed Detective Ray Cameron in the 1986 cult horror film Night of the Creeps, a role Atkins calls his very favorite. He is well known to movie goers for his role as Michael Hunsaker in the 1987 hit film Lethal Weapon. In television, Atkins played Lt. Alex Diehl in the 1970s television series The Rockford Files. He reprised his role of Commander Diehl for a series of Rockford Files movies in the 1990s.

Atkins has made numerous guest appearances on many popular television shows, including M*A*S*H, Baretta, The Fall Guy, Xena: Warrior Princess, Walker, Texas Ranger, and Law & Order: Criminal Intent.

He is a frequent player in shows at the Pittsburgh Public Theater, most famously in the one-man show "The Chief," in which he depicted the late founder of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Art Rooney. He appeared on Broadway in David Storey's The Changing Room, for which he received the 1973 Drama Desk Award for Most Promising Performer.

[edit] Filmography

• Out of the Black (2001)
• Turn of Faith (2001)
• Bruiser (2001)
• Striking Distance (1993)
• Sworn to Vengeance (1993) (TV)
• Bob Roberts (1992)
• The Heist (1989) (TV)
• Maniac Cop (1988)
• Lethal Weapon (1987)
• Night of the Creeps (1986)
• The New Kids (1985)
• Murder Me, Murder You (1983)
• Creepshow {1982)
• Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)
• Desperate Lives (1982) (TV)
• Escape from New York (1981)
• The Fog (1980)
• The Detective (1968)

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Tom Atkins at the Internet Movie Database
• Tom Atkins at Allmovie
• Tom Atkins Online

v • d • e Lethal Weapon films Films Lethal Weapon (1987) • Lethal Weapon 2 (1989) • Lethal Weapon 3 (1992) • Lethal Weapon 4 (1998) Characters Martin Riggs • Roger Murtaugh Cast Mel Gibson • Danny Glover • Joe Pesci • Rene Russo • Chris Rock • Darlene Love • Mary Ellen Trainor • Gary Busey • Mitchell Ryan • Tom Atkins • Jackie Swanson • Ed O'Ross • Joss Ackland • Derrick O'Connor • Patsy Kensit • Stuart Wilson • Jet Li • Kim Chan Crew Richard Donner • Joel Silver • Shane Black • Michael Kamen • Eric Clapton • David Sanborn • Stephen Goldblatt • Stuart Baird • Bobby Bass • Rorion Gracie • Dar Robinson • Warren Murphy • Jeffrey Boam • Robert Mark Kamen • Elton John • Jan de Bont • Jonathan Lemkin • Alfred Gough • Miles Millar • Andrzej Bartkowiak Music Lethal Weapon (soundtrack) • Lethal Weapon 3 (soundtrack) • "Jingle Bell Rock" • "Cheer Down" • "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" • "Since I Don't Have You" • "It's Probably Me" • "Fire in the Hole" • "Why Can't We Be Friends?" Other articles Lethal Weapon (video game) • Lethal Weapon - The Ride • Lethal Weapon 3 (pinball)

Persondata
NAME	Atkins, Tom
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION
DATE OF BIRTH	November 13, 1935
PLACE OF BIRTH	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH