Tom Towles was a talented actor who spent over a decade honing his craft in Chicago theatre, often taking on roles that showcased his versatility as a character player. He played a wide range of characters, from scoundrels to obnoxious men, and worked with prestigious companies like the Organic Theatre Company and the Goodman Theatre.
Before becoming a full-time actor, Towles served in the Marine Corps, and it was during this time that he discovered his passion for acting. He made his film debut in a small role in Dog Day Afternoon (1975) alongside Al Pacino, but it would be several years before he would return to the big screen.
In the mid-1980s, Towles began to make a name for himself in film, starting with a role as a lounge lizard in Pink Nights (1985). He then appeared as the despicable Otis in Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986),a role that showcased his ability to play complex and unsettling characters.
Throughout the 1990s, Towles continued to work in film and television, appearing in a wide range of projects. He played Harry Cooper, the guy everyone else would like to sacrifice to the zombies, in the remake of Night of the Living Dead (1990),and then appeared as J.J., the hunted killer, in the pilot episode of Pilot (1987).
In addition to his work in film and television, Towles also appeared in a number of TV episodes, including Girls in Prison (1994) and numerous other shows. Some of his notable film roles include Mad Dog and Glory (1993),Fortress (1992),Blood In, Blood Out (1993),The Rock (1996),Doctor Dolittle (1998),and Rob Zombie's House of 1000 Corpses (2003).
Throughout his career, Towles demonstrated his ability to play a wide range of characters, from scoundrels to zombies to killers. He was a talented and versatile actor who brought depth and nuance to every role he took on.
