Tom grew up in the small towns of Richmond and Crystal Lake, Illinois. He began performing at home, with his 10 brothers and sisters, creating puppet shows, short films, music and radio dramas, before moving on to school plays and community theater. He graduated from The Goodman School of Drama, as it became the Theatre School at DePaul University. His work on the Chicago stage began in the ensemble of the "Body Politic Theatre", where he starred in such memorable productions as "Translations", "The Playboy of the Western World" and "Falstaff & Hal". Other notable stage work includes "What the Butler Saw", "Candida" and "The Mystery Cycle" at the Court Theatre, and "Free Advice from Prague" and "The Courtship of Carl Sandburg" at Northlight. Tom was head writer and announcer of the NPR musical variety show, "The Flea Market". He directed plays for the Curious Theater, played music with both 'Balderdash' make up two-thirds of the Chicago band, "Midnight Moxie". And his son, Ben Amandes, is himself a budding hyphenate.
He has 10 siblings: Peggy, Mary, Lorraine, John, Paul, Eileen, Gerry, Louise, Vince and Grace. He is the 6th of the 11 family children.
He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, actress Nancy Everhard and son, Ben Amandes.
He is a graduate of The Goodman School of Drama, now The Theatre School at DePaul University in Chicago, and is a recipient of their 2011 Award for Excellence in the Arts.
Father, with Jamie OReilly , of daughters Meg OReilly Amandes and Nia OReilly Amandes.
