| Tommy Wiseau | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Director, actor, producer, screenwriter |
| Years active | 2003–present |
Tommy Wiseau is a screenwriter, director, producer, executive producer, and actor. He is the founder of the film production company Wiseau Films. Wiseau is best known for his film The Room which has been described as "one of the worst movies ever made" and has gained cult film status.[1] Wiseau also made the documentary Homeless in America and filmed the pilot episode of the sitcom, The Neighbors.[2][3]
Contents |
Wiseau's early life is shrouded in mystery,[4] and most of what is known has been learned through interviews with the director. Entertainment Weekly has called him "famously mysterious".[5]
Despite his vaguely eastern European accent,[4] Wiseau claims to have grown up in New Orleans,[6] and lived in France "a long time ago."[7] He says to have moved back and forth between the United States and Europe throughout his life, and at some point moved to San Francisco, where he was employed at a hospital.[7] He also states that he prefers to be referred to as an American,[4][8] and that he studies psychology as a "hobby."[3]
Wiseau was interested in becoming a rock star before turning to a career in acting. He has said that he has been influenced by James Dean, Marlon Brando, Elizabeth Taylor, Tennessee Williams, The Guns of Navarone, and Citizen Kane.[9][10]
Wiseau's best known production is the cult film The Room, released in 2003. The movie was immediately lambasted by critics.[11] However, The Room soon became a "cult classic" with late-night showings at theaters around the country. Audience members typically arrive wearing wigs resembling their favorite characters, interact with the dialogue on screen, and throw plastic cutlery and footballs around the theater. This attention grew into what was dubbed The Room's 2010-2011 "Love is Blind" International Tour, with the movie being screened in the U.K, Germany, Denmark, Australia and India, among other locations. Wiseau appears at many of these events, posing for photographs with fans and often addressing them before the screenings as well.[12]
In 2004 Wiseau produced and appeared in a short documentary, Homeless in America. In 2010, Wiseau acted in a short film entitled The House That Drips Blood on Alex, a parody horror film written and produced by sketch comedy group Studio8. The film had a preview showing at Comic-Con on July 24, 2010. It premiered on Comedy Central and appeared online on October 14, 2010.[13][14]
In 2008 Wiseau produced and appeared in the pilot episode of a television series titled The Neighbors, which he intended to become a regular sitcom. As of October 2011, the pilot has not been picked up by any network for broadcast.[3]
In 2009 Wiseau guest-starred in a Season 4 episode of Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! entitled "Tommy", wherein Wiseau guest-directed a segment; he later told an interviewer he was merely an actor on the episode, and would work with the duo again "any time."[10] An interview with Tim and Eric in Wired reveals they are working with Wiseau on two series.[15]
In 2011, Wiseau starred in a YouTube web series called "Tommy Explains It All." The episodes feature Wiseau explaining his views on various topics ranging from Citizen Kane to the art of kissing.[16]
Wiseau has also starred in segments on Machinima.com called "The Tommy Wi-show". The segments show Wiseau playing various video games, such as Mortal Kombat 9 and offering commentary. [17][18]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | The Room | Johnny | Director, producer, executive producer, writer, lead actor |
| 2004 | Homeless in America | Interviewer | Director, producer, writer |
| 2009 | Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! | Himself | 1 episode |
| 2010 | The House That Drips Blood on Alex | Alex |
| Year | Award | Category | Film |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | New York International Independent Film & Video Festival | Best Social Documentary (L.A. Festival) | Homeless in America (Shared with Kaya Redford) |
| Audience Award – Feature (Miami Festival) | The Room | ||
| 2010 | Harvard's Ivory Tower (Harvard Undergraduate Television) Filmmaker of the Year | Filmmaker of the Year | The Room and other projects |