Biography
Who is Tom Wopat?
Early life and education
Tom Wopat: Thomas Steven Wopat was born on September 9, 1951, in Lodi, Wisconsin. He grew up as the fifth of eight children born to Albin and Ruth Wopat. His father worked as a dairy farmer of Polish descent, and the family was raised in the Catholic faith.
He attended Lodi High School before continuing his education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. During his time at the university, a lighting design teacher named Gilbert Vaughn Hemsley Jr. Helped advance his early performing career.
Television fame
Tom achieved widespread fame when he was cast as Lucas K. Luke Duke on the long-running television action and comedy series The Dukes of Hazzard. His work on the show established his career in television.
Following his breakout role, he continued to work regularly in television and film. He appeared as a semi-regular recurring character on the comedy series Cybill and played U.S. Marshal Gil Tatum in the film Django Unchained. He also held a recurring role as Sheriff Jim Wilkins on the television series Longmire and made his television debut on One Life to Live.
Stage career
Tom has worked extensively on stage in musicals and plays. He first appeared on the Broadway stage as a replacement in the musical I Love My Wife. He later took on roles in other stage productions, including City of Angels and Guys and Dolls, where he played Sky Masterson.
In 1981, he starred as Billy Bigelow in the musical Carousel at the Barn Theatre in Augusta, Michigan, and later reprised the role at the Kennedy Center. He appeared in the opening cast of the revival of Annie Get Your Gun as Frank Butler, earning a Tony Award nomination in 1999 for his performance. He also performed in Broadway revivals of Chicago and 42nd Street, as well as David Mamet's play Glengarry Glen Ross.
Music career
Alongside his acting work, Tom pursued a career in music and recorded eleven albums. He recorded several albums of country songs and pop standards, scoring a series of moderately successful singles in the 1980s and 1990s. His early albums were released on EMI Nashville.
His musical style shifts between rock and roll and country music, while several projects focused on classic pop standards. For instance, his recording titled Dissertation on the State of Bliss features a collection of songs by Harold Arlen.
Personal life
Tom was first married to Vickie Allen. He later married Kirsten S. Larvick, who works as a filmmaker and audiovisual archivist.
Over the years, Tom faced various legal issues. He was arrested in New Jersey for driving while intoxicated and reckless driving. He was also arrested in Massachusetts on indecent assault and drug charges, later pleading guilty to two counts of annoying and accosting a person of the opposite sex, which resulted in a sentence of one year of probation.
Birthday and age
Tom Wopat was born on September 9, 1951, which makes Tom 75 years old today. That birthday falls under the Virgo sign. Tom shares the date with 36 other famous people.
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