Biography
Who is Tom Arnold?
Early life and family
Tom Arnold was born on March 6, 1959, in Ottumwa, Iowa. His parents were Linda Kay and Jack Arnold. He grew up alongside his siblings, a sister named Lori and a brother named Scott. During his childhood, he faced challenges including being diagnosed with autism and experiencing his mother leaving the family. He and his siblings were primarily raised by their father in Iowa.
In his youth, Tom lived with his mother for a period before attending Ottumwa High School and Indian Hills Community College. He later studied business administration and writing at the University of Iowa from 1981 to 1983. Before achieving success in entertainment, he worked at a local meatpacking plant.
Career and Roseanne
Tom Arnold began his career in the early 1980s performing a prop-based comedy routine titled Tom Arnold and the Goldfish Review. Roseanne Barr watched his act in 1983 and later brought him in as a writer for her television sitcom Roseanne. He wrote himself into the series, portraying the recurring character Arnie Thomas. His work on the show brought him widespread recognition in the television industry.
Building on that success, Tom starred in his own ABC sitcom titled The Jackie Thomas Show, which aired for eighteen episodes. He also expanded into film work, appearing as a sidekick to Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1994 action blockbuster True Lies. Over the following decades, he maintained a steady acting career with roles in movies such as Nine Months, Animal Factory, and Madea's Witness Protection.
Television hosting and projects
In addition to his acting roles, Tom Arnold worked extensively as a television host. From 2001 through 2005, he served as one of the hosts of the sports talk program The Best Damn Sports Show Period. He also hosted the CMT reality series My Big Redneck Wedding starting in 2008, where he even officiated ceremonies for participating couples.
Later in his career, Tom took part in different unscripted television projects. In January 2017, he participated in the Australian edition of I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!. Later, he hosted a Viceland series titled The Hunt for the Trump Tapes, which focused on political investigations before airing for a single season.
Personal life and marriages
Tom Arnold married comedian Roseanne Barr in 1990 after she divorced her first husband. Their high-profile relationship and subsequent divorce in 1994 frequently drew media and tabloid attention. Following his divorce from Barr, he married three more times. His fourth marriage was to Ashley Groussman, with whom he shares two children before their divorce was finalized in July 2020.
Outside of his professional work, Tom has dedicated time to charitable causes, including organizing an annual holiday toy giveaway known as the Miracle on 1st Street Toy Giveaway. He has also been open about his personal history with addiction and his path toward sobriety, as well as his connection to the Jewish faith.
Birthday and age
Tom Arnold was born on March 6, 1959, which makes Tom 67 years old today. That birthday falls under the Pisces sign. Tom shares the date with 29 other famous people.
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