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Tom Waits

Actor

Tom Waits

  • Born: 7 December 1949, Pomona, California, USA
  • Estimated net worth: $30 million

Tom Waits is an American singer-songwriter and actor known for his distinctive voice and eclectic musical style. He has appeared in numerous films, including 'The Outsiders' and 'Down by Law,' earning a reputation for his unique characters and gritty…

Tom Waits: best films and shows

About Tom Waits

Tom Waits is an American singer-songwriter and actor known for his distinctive voice and eclectic musical style. He has appeared in numerous films, including 'The Outsiders' and 'Down by Law,' earning a reputation for his unique characters and gritty performances. His work often reflects a blend of various genres, showcasing his deep storytelling ability and artistic flair.

Born
7 December 1949, Pomona, California, USA
Known for
Acting
Height
5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Spouses
Catherine Waits (1980-present)
Children
3 children (Kelley, Jeffrey, and a third child whose name is not publicly known)
Parents
Jessie Frank Waits, Charles Thomas Waits
Estimated net worth
$30 million

Fun facts about Tom Waits

  • Tom Waits has a unique vocal style that has been described as raspy and gravelly, often compared to a blend of blues, jazz, and rock.
  • In addition to acting, Waits is a celebrated musician, with several albums that have garnered critical acclaim and a loyal fan base.

Famous Tom Waits quotes

“I don't have a television. I don't have a computer. I don't have a phone.”
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, 2018
“My wife is a great cook. I always say she can make a delicious meal out of a shoe.”
The Fisher King, 1991
“You can't be afraid of what people are going to say, because you're never going to make everyone happy.”
The Outsiders, 1983

Tom Waits: coming up

  • Ray Gunn (Movie, Eye-Ra (voice))2 December 2026

Credits and dates: TMDB.

Tom Waits filmography

Cast (89)

YearTitleCharacterRating
2026Ray Gunn MovieEye-Ra (voice)
2026Wild Horse Nine MovieUnknown character
2026Wildwood MovieMaxim (voice)
2026Who Is Martin Mull? MovieSelf4.5
2025Father Mother Sister Brother MovieFather6.4
2025The Last Ride MovieSelf
2025Human Nature in Eleven Parts MovieNarrator "Laughing Heart" (archive footage)
2024Star.Wav MovieThe Caller5.5
2024Tom Waits: Glitter and Doom Concert Experience MovieSelf
2022This Is Sparklehorse MovieSelf
Show 79 more credits
YearTitleCharacterRating
2022Robert Wilson: The Beauty of the Mysterious MovieSelf6.0
2021Licorice Pizza MovieRex Blau6.9
2021Ultra City Smiths TVThe Narrator (voice)6.6
2019Motherless Brooklyn MovieNews Stand Owner (uncredited)6.7
2019The Dead Don't Die MovieHermit Bob5.4
2018The Ballad of Buster Scruggs MovieProspector (segment "All Gold Canyon")7.1
2018The Old Man & the Gun MovieWaller6.4
2018The Moon’s Milk MovieCaptain Millipede (voice)
2017Roy Orbison: Black and White Night 30 MovieSelf7.0
2017Tom Waits: Tales from a Cracked Jukebox MovieSelf6.7
2015Keith Richards: Under the Influence MovieSelf6.8
2013The Laughing Heart MovieNarrator5.0
2012Seven Psychopaths MovieZachariah Rigby6.8
2012A Brief History of John Baldessari MovieNarrator6.0
2012Final Cut: Ladies and Gentlemen Movie(archive footage)7.5
2011Twixt MovieNarrator (voice)5.1
2011The Monster of Nix MovieVirgil (Voice)7.2
2010The Book of Eli MovieEngineer6.8
2009The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus MovieDevil6.4
2009Tom Waits: Romeo Bleeding - Live from Austin MovieSelf3.8
2008Tom Waits: Under Review MovieSelf4.0
2008One Fast Move or I'm Gone: Kerouac's Big Sur MovieSelf7.2
2007Wristcutters: A Love Story MovieKneller7.0
2006Tom Waits - Burma Shave [Live Concert] MovieSelf3.8
2005The Tiger and the Snow MovieSelf / Sè stesso6.7
2005Domino MovieWanderer5.9
2004Coffee and Cigarettes MovieTom (segment "Somewhere in California")6.9
2003Bukowski: Born Into This MovieSelf6.8
1999Tom Waits - Bridge School Benefit MovieSelf3.8
1999Mystery Men MovieDoc Heller5.9
1999Tom Waits: VH1 Storytellers MovieSelf
1998Tom Waits - Dead Man Walking, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA, USA. MovieSelf
1997Guy Maddin: Waiting for Twilight MovieNarrator (voice)7.3
1997Coffee and Cigarettes III MovieTom7.2
1996The Daily Show TVSelf6.4
1993Short Cuts MovieEarl Piggot7.2
1993Late Night with Conan O'Brien TVSelf - Musical Guest7.3
1993Luck, Trust & Ketchup: Robert Altman in Carver Country MovieSelf8.0
1992Bram Stoker's Dracula MovieR.M. Renfield7.4
1991At Play in the Fields of the Lord MovieWolf6.6
1991Fishing with John TVSelf7.6
1991The Fisher King MovieDisabled Vet (uncredited)7.3
1991Until the End of the World MovieSinger in Bar6.7
1991Queens Logic MovieMonte5.8
1990Red Hot + Blue: A Tribute to Cole Porter MovieSelf
1990The Two Jakes MoviePlainclothes Policeman (uncredited)6.0
1990The Black Rider MovieHimself
1990John Lurie: A Lounge Lizard Alone MovieZack (Archive footage)
1989The Simpsons TVLloyd (voice)8.0
1989Bearskin: An Urban Fairytale MovieSilva8.3
1989Mystery Train MovieRadio DJ (voice)7.3
1989Cold Feet MovieKenny4.1
1988Tom Waits: Big Time MovieSelf7.5
1988Candy Mountain MovieAl Silk5.9
1988Greasy Lake MovieNarrator4.2
1988Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night MovieSelf - Organ/Guitar7.7
1987Ironweed MovieRudy6.3
1986Tom Waits - Live at Premio Tenco in Sanremo Italy MovieHimself
1986Down by Law MovieZack7.4
1985Tom Waits - Live On The Tube MovieSelf
1984The Cotton Club MovieIrving Stark6.5
1984The Stone Boy MoviePetrified man at carnival (uncredited)7.0
1983Rumble Fish MovieBenny7.0
1983The Outsiders MovieBuck Merrill7.2
1982Poetry in Motion MovieSelf8.0
1982The Making of 'One from the Heart' MovieSelf8.5
1982One from the Heart MovieTrumpet player (uncredited)5.9
1981Wolfen MovieDrunken Bar Owner (uncredited)5.9
1980Tom Waits at Theatre le Palace MovieSelf
1979Tom Waits: No Visitors After Midnight MovieSelf3.8
1979Tom Waits for No One MovieSelf5.1
1978Paradise Alley MovieMumbles5.9
1978Tom Waits: A Day in Vienna MovieSelf8.0
1976Tom Waits: Elephant Beer Blues - Songs After Closing Time MovieSelf
1975Saturday Night Live TVSelf - Musical Guest6.9
1975Austin City Limits TVSelf6.3
1974Rockpalast TVUnknown character8.5
1961The Mike Douglas Show TVSelf5.8
TBATom Waits - One Star Shining : The First Decade MovieSelf6.5

Crew (23)

YearTitleRoleRating
2025Roofman MovieThanks · Crew7.1
2010Miral MovieSongs · Sound5.8
2010The Fallen MovieMusic · Sound
2007To Live and to Die in Samarkand MovieSound · Sound
2001Stille Nacht V: Dog Door MovieLyricist · Writing5.8
Show 18 more credits
YearTitleRoleRating
1998Bunny MovieSongs · Sound6.6
1998Bunny MovieMusic · Sound6.6
1998Bunny MovieMusic Producer · Sound6.6
1991Night on Earth MovieOriginal Music Composer · Sound7.5
1991Night on Earth MovieSongs · Sound7.5
1990The Black Rider MovieOriginal Music Composer · Sound7.5
1989La fine della notte MovieSongs · Sound7.0
1989Őrült és angyal MovieMusic · Sound
1988Tom Waits: Big Time MovieWriter · Writing7.5
1988Tom Waits: Big Time MovieOriginal Music Composer · Sound7.5
1988Tom Waits: Big Time MovieLighting Design · Lighting7.5
1986Down by Law MovieSongs · Sound7.4
1984Streetwise MovieMusic · Sound7.7
1984Rita Ritter MovieOriginal Music Composer · Sound9.0
1984La première journée de Nicolas MovieMusic · Sound7.0
1982One from the Heart MovieOriginal Music Composer · Sound5.9
1982One from the Heart MovieSongs · Sound5.9
1979Tom Waits for No One MovieMusic · Sound5.1

Latest releases

Questions about Tom Waits

What are some of Tom Waits' most famous films?

Tom Waits is known for his roles in films such as 'The Outsiders' (1983), 'Down by Law' (1986), and 'The Ballad of Buster Scruggs' (2018), showcasing his range as an actor.

Has Tom Waits won any awards for his acting?

While primarily recognized for his music, Tom Waits has received accolades for his acting, including the Best Actor award at the Venice Film Festival for 'Down by Law' in 1986.

What is Tom Waits' first film?

Tom Waits made his film debut in 'The Last Waltz' (1978), directed by Martin Scorsese, where he performed as a musician before transitioning to acting.

Which genre does Tom Waits primarily work in?

Tom Waits is primarily known for his work in the music genres of jazz, blues, and rock, which often reflect in his film roles, adding a unique depth to his characters.

What is Tom Waits' estimated net worth?

Tom Waits' estimated net worth is approximately $30 million, primarily accumulated through his successful music career and acting roles.

How many children does Tom Waits have?

Tom Waits has three children, including Kelley and Jeffrey, with a third child whose name is not publicly disclosed.

What is a notable characteristic of Tom Waits' acting style?

Tom Waits is known for his gritty and unconventional acting style, often portraying eccentric characters that reflect his unique artistic vision.

What are some milestones in Tom Waits' filmography?

Key milestones in Tom Waits' filmography include his performances in 'The Outsiders,' 'Down by Law,' and 'The Ballad of Buster Scruggs,' highlighting his versatility as an actor.