Tom Arnold

Arnold cornered the market on playing the resident comic relief in films like “NINE MONTHS” with Hugh Grant Julianne Moore and Robin Williams James Cameron’s “TRUE LIES” with Arnold Schwarzenegger “HERO” with Dustin Hoffman and “AUSTIN POWERS: INTERNATIONAL MAN OF MYSTERY” with Mike Myers.

Arnold has successfully broken out of the comedic stereotype and is ironically becoming a fixture at film festivals by landing more mature and dramatic roles. He received critical praise for his role in “GARDENS OF THE NIGHT ” opposite John Malkovich which premiered at the 2008 Berlin Film Festival and won the International Critics Award at the 2008 Deauville Film Festival. He also appeared in three films at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival: “THE GREAT BUCK HOWARD” starring John Malkovich and Tom Hanks, “GOOD DICK” opposite Jason Ritter and “THE YEAR OF GETTING TO KNOW US” opposite Sharon Stone Jimmy Fallon and Lucy Liu. In 2005 he received critical notice for his role in Don Roos’ “HAPPY ENDINGS” for Lions Gate Films (which premiered at Sundance) starring opposite Maggie Gyllenhaal and Lisa Kudrow. He was also seen in “PRIDE” opposite Terrance Howard and “ANIMAL FACTORY ” directed by Steve Buscemi another role for which Tom received great reviews.

Arnold began his career in comedy at the University of Iowa before moving to Minneapolis where he won the Minneapolis Comedy Competition in 1988. He then moved to Los Angeles to write on the highly successful television series “ROSEANNE ” before eventually serving as executive producer for the sitcom. He went on to star in three installments of his own HBO special entitled “TOM ARNOLD: THE NAKED TRUTH ” and then wrote produced and starred in three of his own television series “THE JACKIE THOMAS SHOW ” “TOM” and “THE TOM SHOW.”

Other film credits include “SOUL PLANE ” “CRADLE TO THE GRAVE ” and “EXIT WOUNDS.” Arnold also starred in “THE KID & I ” an action comedy he wrote for a 16-year-old family friend with cerebral palsy. The film was directed by Penelope Spheeris with cameos by Arnold Schwarzenegger Jamie Lee Curtis and Linda Hamilton.

Born in Iowa Tom has established a writing scholarship and runs an acting workshop for students at the Indian Hills Community College in Iowa. Tom is heavily involved in many charities. The Race to Erase MS is one of Tom’s favorite charities. From his position on the entertainment committee Tom not only helps plan but also emcees and contributes to the auction. For the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation Tom mans a booth at the yearly carnival (a major fundraiser) engaging attendees while raising funds. Other charities that are close to his heart and to which he has made significant contributions are Best Buddies a charity started by Anthony Shriver that pairs mentally challenged people with college kids and jobs Camp del Corazon a camp for children with heart disease The Kayne Eras Center Promises Foundation Carousel of Hope Arnold’s Inner City Games The Hollenbeck Christmas Giveaway and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.