---
name: "Tom Towles"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/tom-towles"
roles: ["Writer"]
born: "20 March 1950"
died: "2 April 2015"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 4
average_fi1m_score: 83
updated: "2026-09-16T21:19:44.542753+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Tom Towles

Writer. Born 20 March 1950 in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.. Died 2 April 2015.

## Details

- **Work:** Writer
- **Born:** 20 March 1950, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
- **Died:** 2 April 2015
- **Active:** 1975–2002

## Biography

Tom Towles (20 March 1950 – 2 April 2015) was an American character actor known for portraying villains and intimidating supporting roles in film and television. Born and raised in Chicago, he served in the United States Marine Corps before beginning his career in Chicago theatre with the Organic Theatre Company, where he also collaborated on writing.

He made his screen debut in an uncredited role in *Dog Day Afternoon* (1975). Towles gained recognition for his performance as Otis in *Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer* (1986), for which he received an Independent Spirit Award nomination. His other film credits include *Night of the Living Dead* (1990), *The Rock* (1996), *House of 1000 Corpses* (2003), *The Devil's Rejects* (2005), *Miami Vice* (2006), *Halloween* (2007) and *Grindhouse* (2007).

On television he had a recurring role as Inspector Anthony Lastarza in the first season of *NYPD Blue* (1993–94) and appeared in series including *Seinfeld*, *Star Trek: Deep Space Nine*, *Star Trek: Voyager* and *Firefly*. He also received writing credits, including story and teleplay for an episode of *NYPD Blue*.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, variety.com.*

## On Fi1m (4)

- *Firefly* (2002), Fi1m 83, as Lund — [page](https://film.one/tv/firefly.md)
- *The Rock* (1996), Fi1m 78, as Alcatraz Park Ranger — [page](https://film.one/film/the-rock.md)
- *NYPD Blue* (1993), Fi1m 82, Story, Teleplay — [page](https://film.one/tv/nypd-blue.md)
- *Dog Day Afternoon* (1975), Fi1m 90, as Cop (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/dog-day-afternoon.md)

## Also known for

- *Malcolm in the Middle* (2000), Ethan
- *Doctor Dolittle* (1998), German Shepherd (voice)
- *Halloween* (2007), Larry Redgrave
- *Miami Vice* (2006), Coleman
- *Grindhouse* (2007), Lt. Boorman (segment "Werewolf Women of the SS")
- *House of 1000 Corpses* (2003), Lieutenant George Wydell
- *Bound by Honor* (1993), Red Ryder
- *The Devil's Rejects* (2005), Lieutenant George Wydell

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/tom-towles