Tim Thomerson rates highly as one of the best, most prolific, versatile and dependable character actors to ever grace both the big and small screens alike with pleasing regularity since the mid 70s. Although often cast as laconic rough 'n' tumble macho guys, Thomerson has proved on many occasions that he can essay comic roles and more substantial dramatic parts with equal skill and conviction. He was born on April 8th, 1946 in Coronado, California and was raised in Hawaii and San Diego. He did a stint in the National Guard prior to getting a job as a prop man and set builder at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. Character actor Anthony Zerbe advised Thomerson to get lessons from legendary acting teacher Stella Adler in New York; and he duly studied with Adler for four years. He began his show business career as a stand-up comedian; he performed at the clubs The Bitter End, Bud Friedman's Improvisation and Catch A Rising Star in New York and at the Comedy Store and the Improv in Los Angeles. He eventually even had a guest spot on "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson. His film debut was with a funny small role in the hilarious "Car Wash." He achieved his greatest enduring cult popularity with his delightfully deadpan portrayal of rugged police detective Jack Deth in the terrific "Trancers" and its strictly so-so sequels. Other memorable parts include eccentric police detective Jerry Moriarty in the fine "Fade to Black," weary factory worker Ray in "Take This Job and Shove It," a highway patrolman in Clint Eastwood's poignant and underrated "Honkytonk Man," burnt-out Vietnam vet helicopter pilot Charts in the exciting "Uncommon Valor," grimy mercenary Rhodes in the cheesy "Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn," the crazed John Reynolds in "Volunteers," demented cult leader Lester in "Cherry 2000," the tough-as-nails the Sarge in the enjoyably quirky "Zone Troopers;" lovely and touching as the gentle Loy in the outstanding "Near Dark," diminutive, but fearless alien lawman Brick Bardo in the funky "Dollman," and a scruffy motorcyclist in Terry Gilliam's unjustly maligned "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas." Tim has appeared in a large number of films for low-budget independent director Albert Pyon and acted alongside real-life best buddy Brion James in numerous pictures . On television Thomerson played the half-man, half-woman Gene-Jean on the uproarious, but sadly short-lived sci-fi parody program "Quark." Thomerson also had recurring roles on the TV shows "Sirens" and "Land's End" and has made guest appearances on countless TV shows.
Has appeared in four movies taking place during the Vietnam war: Uncommon Valor , Volunteers , Air America and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas .
Served together with the late actor Brion James as cooks in a tank company while in the Army Reserve in California.
Studied at the Stella Adler Conservatory for four years.
Veteran tough guy actor of "B" sci-fi thrillers and violent action, portraying both virile anti-heroes and heavies.
Started out his career as a stand-up comedian who made it all the way to "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" .
In a candy commercial, he played the Blur, obviously based on the Flash. He also played the Flashs brother on TV.
Has starred in two different Jekyll/Hyde movies: "Jekyll and Hyde...Together Again" and "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde".
Has done 9 films with director Albert Pyun.
Two featured characters in Norman Lears "All That Glitters" television series were Eileen Brennan as Ma Packer and her lazy son, Sonny Packer, played by Tim Thomerson. Sonnys (Thomersons) role idol and wannabe impersonation of an Elvis Presley character, always strumming his guitar, practicing swinging hips and rock movements was diligently encouraged by his Ma (Eileen Brennan) Packer. Their principal abode was a run down farm shack. In preparation for the first introduction of the outlandish pair, director Herb Kenwith and Eileen requested the littered straw and dirt studio set floor be inhabited with a small pot bellied pig and a dozen chickens. The first day to video-tape Ma and Sonny Packers introduction in the series, Eileen picked up one of the hens, holding the chicken in her arms like a pet cat, petting and soothing the clucking hen while performing her characters motherly role. The entire week of staged scenes, Eileen carried the same hen in her arms, with the chickens pecking seeds from the straw on the ramshackle shack floor. The following week, the "All That Glitters" staff of women producers decided to cancel Eileens on-set chicken wrangler and his livestock. Arriving early on the ramshackle set for rehearsal, Eileen and Herb confronted the dull witted lady producers. Where were the Chickens? Canceled to save money on a chicken wrangler and his flock of hens! The cast and crew waited for one hour while the wrangler and his flock of hens could arrive. Thereafter, Eileen, her chicken-hen co-star, with the floor flock of hens were featured until Ma moved uptown, with Sonny becoming a full fledged rock star on a local television station talent show, landing a gig at a local Western bar and stardom! Ma Packer, now a sexy glamorous theatrical agent, became a music-rock group phenomena.
Although he played M. Emmet Walsh s son in "The Flash" {Pilot (#1.0)} , he is only eleven years his junior in real life.
