Tom Towles (March 20, 1950 – April 2, 2015) was an American character actor of film, theatre, and television, known for his portraying villains and intimidating supporting characters. His breakthrough role as Otis in Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986) earned him an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Supporting Male. He appeared in numerous films and television series including Night of the Living Dead (1990), Blood In Blood Out (1993), The Rock (1996), NYPD Blue, Dr. Dolittle (1998), The Devil's Rejects (2005), Miami Vice, and Malcolm in the Middle.
Early life Towles was born on March 20, 1950 in Chicago, Illinois. He had a sister by the name of Kai. Prior to acting, Towles briefly served in the United States Marine Corps.
Career In 1971, Towles began his acting career in Chicago where he performed as a member of the Organic Theater Company. He made his film debut portraying a minor role as a cop in Dog Day Afternoon (1975). Afterwards, Towles returned to Chicago to continue performing with the Organic Theater Company, as well as performing at the Goodman Theatre. After a decade-long hiatus, Towles returned to the screen in the film Pink Nights (1985).
Towles made his breakthrough role as Otis in Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer. His character was based on real-life serial killer Ottis Toole.
Towles also appeared on television in such shows as Seinfeld, NYPD Blue, L.A. Law, ER, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager and Firefly.
Towles frequently collaborated with filmmaker Rob Zombie, appearing in House of 1000 Corpses (2003), The Devil's Rejects (2005), Halloween (2007) and Grindhouse (2007).
Death Towles died on April 2, 2015, at the age of 65, in a hospital in Pinellas, Florida of complications following a stroke.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes 1975 Dog Day Afternoon Cop Uncredited 1985 Pink Nights Ralph 1986 Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer Otis Nominated- Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male 1989 The Borrower Bob Laney Nominated- Fangoria Chainsaw Award for Best Supporting Actor 1990 Men Don't Leave Evan Taylor Night of the Living Dead Harry Cooper 1991 The Pit and the Pendulum Don Carlos Molina 1992 Fortress Stiggs 1993 Blood In Blood Out "Red" Ryder Mad Dog and Glory Andrew, The Beater 1996 God's Lonely Man Steven Normal Life Frank Anderson 1996 The Rock Alcatraz Park Ranger 1997 Gridlock'd Max Warriors of Virtue General Grillo Night of the Lawyers Moriarty 1998 The Prophecy II Detective Waltrip Dr. Dolittle German Shepherd Voice 2000 More Dogs Than Bones Detective Waltrip 2002 Groom Lake Dietz 2003 House of 1000 Corpses Deputy George Wydell 2005 The Devil's Rejects 2006 Miami Vice Coleman 2007 Grindhouse Lieutenant Boorman Segment "Werewolf Women of the SS" Home Sick Uncle Johnny Halloween Larry Redgrave 2008 Blood on the Highway Louis Debois Final film role
Television Year Title Role Notes 1987 Jack and Mike Maxie Episode: "Charity Ball" High Mountain Rangers T.J. Cousins Episode: "Pilot" 1988 Sable Eddie Episode: "Mob" 1992 Mann & Machine Lomax Episode: "Mann's Fate" 1993 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Hon'Tihl Episode: "Dramatis Personae" Seinfeld Tough Guy Episode: "The Glasses" 1993-1994 NYPD Blue Inspector Anthony Lastarza Recurring role; Season 1 Bakersfield P.D. Riley 2 episodes 1994 L.A. Law Warden Geoff Ropella Episode: "Three on a Patch" Girls in Prison Norman Stoneface Television film 1995 VR.5 Shepard Episode: "Dr. Strangechild" 1996 Pacific Blue Mr. Baron Episode: "Rapscallions" ER Matthew Episode: "No Brain, No Gain" 3rd Rock from the Sun Dale Episode: "Gobble, Gobble, Dick, Dick" Night Stand with Dick Dietrick Mad Cow Episode: "Uniting Love Ones" 1997 Profiler Steve Calagian Episode: "Learning From the Masters" Star Trek: Voyager Dr. Vatm Episode: "Rise" 1998 Mercenary II: Thick & Thin Colonel Chamaro Television film Maximum Bob Ike Worth Episode: "Once Bitten..." The Pretender Jack Brevins Episode: "Parole" 1999 Lansky Nick Television film The Drew Carey Show Detective Streible Episode: "Drew Tries to Kill Mimi" 2001 18 Wheels of Justice Ray Palmeri Episode: "The Interrogation" 2002 Firefly Lund Episode: "The Train Job" Push, Nevada BRB Recurring role; Season 1 Robbery Homicide Division Kevin Molas Episode: "Wild Ride" 2003 Crossing Jordan Bill Williamson Episode: "Wild Card" CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Zeke Episode: "Homebodies" Malcolm in the Middle Ethan Episode: "Christmas Trees"
Video games Year Title Role Notes 2002 New Legends Bradley Voice
References
External links