Tom Bower

Actor Tom Bower got his start performing in the theater, and would go on to work in more than 80 theatrical productions in his career. Bower is also a founding member of the Loretta Theater in Santa Monica. In 1973, he made his television debut in the made-for-TV movie "Incident at Vichy." He worked steadily through the '70s, appearing in show like "The Bionic Woman," "Kojak," "The Rockford Files," and "The Waltons," on which he played Dr. Curtis Willard and Rex Barker. In 1981, Bower was invited to become a resource actor at the Sundance Institute for film and television by Sundance's founder, Robert Redford. Three years later, Bower starred in the independent drama "Wildrose." His portrayal of Rick Ogaard earned him much praise in the independent film community as well as a nomination for an Indie Spirit Award. He has remained an active member of the Sundance Institute and has served as a member of its nominating committee. Bower has built a respected reputation and has performed in a number of notable features, like "Beverly Hills Cop II," "Die Hard 2," "Clear and Present Danger," "Nixon," "The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call - New Orleans," "Crazy Heart," and "The Killer Inside Me." In a career that's already spanned more than 35 years, Bower has appeared in more than 130 projects. His career longevity and prowess have earned him a spot on the Screen Actors Guild board of directors. Tom Bower died on May 30, 2024 in Los Angeles, CA at the age of 86.