Tom Berenger

Tom Berenger, born Thomas Michael Moore on May 31, 1949, is an acclaimed American actor known for his versatile performances across various genres. One of his most notable roles came in Oliver Stone's "Platoon" (1986), where he portrayed Staff Sergeant Bob Barnes. Berenger's compelling performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Throughout his career, Berenger has delivered memorable performances in a wide range of films. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Jake Taylor in the popular "Major League" film series and as Thomas Beckett in the "Sniper" franchise. Some of his other notable films include "Looking for Mr. Goodbar" (1977), "The Dogs of War" (1980), "The Big Chill" (1983), "Eddie and the Cruisers" (1983), "Someone to Watch Over Me" (1987), "Betrayed" (1988), "The Field" (1990), "Sniper" (1992), "Gettysburg" (1993), "The Substitute" (1996), "Training Day" (2001), and "Inception" (2010).
In addition to his success on the big screen, Berenger has also made notable contributions to television. He won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie for his performance as Jim Vance in the 2012 miniseries "Hatfields & McCoys," showcasing his talent and versatility across different mediums.


Tom Berenger, originally born as Thomas Michael Moore on May 31, 1949, in Chicago, hails from a Catholic family of Irish descent. His great-grandfather and grandmother were among the early settlers in Chicago. Berenger has a sister named Susan. Their father worked as a printer for the Chicago Sun-Times and also pursued a career as a traveling salesman.
After graduating from Rich East High School in Park Forest, Illinois, in 1967, Berenger went on to attend the University of Missouri in Columbia. Initially studying journalism, he later decided to pursue his passion for acting. In 1971, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree and embarked on his journey into the world of acting.


Tom Berenger began his career working in regional theater before taking an unconventional detour into the airline industry. In 1972, he worked as a flight attendant for Eastern Airlines, based in San Juan, Puerto Rico, before transferring to New York the following year.
Choosing "Berenger" as his professional surname due to a pre-existing Tom Moore in the Actors' Equity Association, he embarked on his acting journey, making appearances in soap operas and securing a starring role as lawyer Tim Siegel on One Life to Live. His feature film debut came in the independent film Rush It (1976).
Berenger gained recognition for his role as the killer in Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977), which set the stage for his starring roles in subsequent films like In Praise of Older Women (1978) and Butch and Sundance: The Early Days (1979), where his resemblance to Paul Newman landed him the role of Butch Cassidy.


Throughout the 1980s, Berenger starred in several significant films, including The Big Chill (1983), Eddie and the Cruisers (1983), and Platoon (1986), for which he earned an Academy Award nomination and won a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor. He continued his success with roles in films such as Someone to Watch Over Me (1987), Shoot to Kill (1988), and Major League (1989).
In the 1990s, Berenger's career remained vibrant with appearances in a range of films, including Born on the Fourth of July (1989), Shattered (1991), Sliver (1993), and Chasers (1994). He notably established the Tom Berenger Acting Scholarship Fund in 1988 to recognize excellence in theater performance.
In recent years, Berenger has continued to have a prolific acting career in both film and television, often in supporting roles. He co-produced and starred in the 1997 miniseries Rough Riders, portraying Theodore Roosevelt. Berenger's television credits include memorable appearances on Cheers and a Primetime Emmy Award-winning performance in Hatfields & McCoys (2012).
In 2022, it was announced that Berenger would star in the comedy film Plan B, showcasing his enduring presence in the entertainment industry.


Tom Berenger has had four marriages and has six children. His first marriage was to Barbara Wilson, from 1976 to 1984, with whom he has two children: Allison Moore (born 1977) and Patrick Moore (born 1979). His second marriage was to Lisa Williams, from 1986 to 1997, and they have three daughters: Chelsea Moore (born 1986), Chloe Moore (born 1988), and Shiloh Moore (born 1993). Berenger has a daughter named Scout Moore (born 1998) with his third wife, Patricia Alvaran, whom he was married to from 1998 to 2011. He married Laura Moretti in Sedona, Arizona, in early September 2012.

References

1.  "Faculty - Theatre Department". theatre.missouri.edu. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
2. ^ McMillen, Robert (July 30, 1999). "One man's hero". The Irish News. Retrieved January 11, 2020 – via Tom Berenger On-line.
3. ^ Walker, Janet (November 1975). "Tom Berenger: "I've Starved Before…I Can Again!"". Day TV Gossip. Archived from the original on 2009-10-22. Retrieved 2009-03-05.
4. a b Profile, biography.com; accessed October 8, 2014.
5. ^ Profile Archived 2011-05-22 at the Wayback Machine, theatre.missouri.edu; accessed October 8, 2014.
6. ^ "Interview with William Katt". Chicago Sun-Times.
7. ^ America Online Chat with Tom Berenger. AOL. Retrieved August 18, 1999.