Tom Berenger

Born: May 31, 1950
Where: Chicago, Illinois

Tom's career began after he lost a bet and auditioned for a part in a college play, which he took to like a duck to water and after which he gave up his original choice of career journalism.

By 1977 he was a real actor. Cast in his first film, the Sentinel, Tom never looked back.

His breakthrough part was Sam, the handsome but insecure TV star, in Lawrence Kasdan's The Big Chill.

In 1986 Tom earned an Academy Award nomination as Best Supporting Actor for his role in Oliver Stone's Platoon, and followed this success with a whole host of big budget projects, such a Major League and Born on the Fourth of July.

Tom is also easily recognised form his numerous small screen achievements, particularly as the man who stole Kirstie Alley's heart in the final two episodes of long-running sitcom Cheers.