Tom Sizemore rose in prominence throughout the 1990s, establishing himself as a memorable tough guy character, sought after by the most respected directors in the business. Born in Detroit on 29 November, 1961, Sizemore grew up idolizing the tough guy characters of the movies he watched. After attending Wayne State University, he got his master's degree in theater from Temple University in 1986.

Like many he moved to New York City and struggled, waiting tables and performing in plays. His first break came when Oliver Stone cast him in a bit part in Born on the Fourth of July. Bigger roles soon followed throughout the early 1990s, such as Guilty by Suspicion, True Romance, and Striking Distance. 1994 proved to be an even bigger year for Sizemore, as he won the role of "Bat Masterson" in Kevin Costner's star-studded biopic Wyatt Earp, as well as one of his first truly memorable roles as "Detective Jack Scagnetti" in Oliver Stone's controversial Natural Born Killers. In 1995 he appeared in Devil in a Blue Dress, Strange Days, as well as the acclaimed crime epic Heat, directed by Michael Mann. Sizemore's first big leading role is in The Relic, the big budget effects thriller directed by Peter Hyams.

According to a 2001 interview in The Calgary Sun, Sizemore entered a drug rehab program in 1998 after his mother and his friend Robert De Niro appeared on his doorstep during the filming of Witness to the Mob. Telling him they were there to drive him to jail or to rehab, Sizemore chose rehab. After he completed rehab, he counseled teens involved in substance abuse.

Offered both a role in WWII films directed by both Terrence Malick and Steven Spielberg, Sizemore chose the role of "Sergeant Horvath" in Saving Private Ryan. The role and film received widespread acclaim and introduced Sizemore's talents to a much broader audience in a more human and well-rounded role than he had previously been given. Sizemore also credits this shoot and Steven Spielberg for helping him with his recovery from addiction, with Steven Spielberg threatening to re-shoot the entire film if Sizemore failed a drug test even once.

After a flamboyant and uncredited mobster role in Enemy of the State, Sizemore then portrayed a psychotic paramedic in Bringing Out the Dead directed by Martin Scorsese. Seemingly taking it easy, he then turned in fine but stereotypical performances in Play It to the Bone, Red Planet, and Pearl Harbor. Sizemore then received another leading role in the high-profile military drama Black Hawk Down directed by yet another legendary director, Ridley Scott.

Specializing in the sort of ultimate tough guy/manly man roles that hearken back to a different era in film, Sizemore continues to be a favourite of Hollywood's greatest directors. Never afraid to speak his mind about anyone and anything, his sense of blunt honesty and lack of pretentiousness is refreshing. A commanding voice and presence on film, Sizemore looks to continue as one of Hollywood's greatest actors.


Arrested in Los Angeles, after his wife, Maeve Quinlan, called police claiming she'd been physically injured by Tom during an argument at their apartment. [24 January 1997] Formerly engaged to Heidi Fleiss. His younger brother is Paul Sizemore Enjoys weightlifting. Attended Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan and graduated in theater (acting). Has played characters in seven movies who have died in shootouts: True Romance (1993), Enemy of the State (1998), Saving Private Ryan (1998), Heat (1995), Natural Born Killers (1994), Devil in a Blue Dress (1995) and Dreamcatcher (2003). If counting voice work, the number goes up to eight!: He did the voice of Sonny Forelli in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002) (VG), who is killed in a gang shootout. Auditioned six times for the part of Mr. Pink in Reservoir Dogs (1992). In February 2005, he failed a court-ordered drug test after he was caught trying to use a prosthetic penis to fake the results, the second time he has been caught trying this. Has twin sons Jayden and Jagger born in July of 2005 with ex-girlfriend Janelle McIntire. Is the lead singer for the Hollywood rock band Day 8, formed in 2002. The members are Rod Casho, Michael Taylor, Lester Mendoza, and Tyrone Tomke. They have recorded a 4 song EP. Tom is the godfather of Michael Madsen's youngest child, Hudson. Favorite movies are: Taxi Driver (1976), Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) and The Deer Hunter (1978). As a teenager, Tom sang tenor in musicals staged by local theatre groups. He was annoyed at not being considered for the part of "Che", (Antonio Banderas landed the role), in Alan Parker's Evita (1996). He's about to start taking singing lessons again (2009). Tom features in the longest "walk 'n talk" scene in movie history, as "Jack Scagnetti" in Natural Born Killers (1994). On 9/9/2004, Tom was shot at while driving in his car in Los Angeles. There was a passenger in the car, both Tom and the passenger were unharmed. Tom's wish list of people to work with are: Quentin Tarantino, 'Stanley Kubrick', Jodie Foster, Jack Nicholson and Bernardo Bertolucci. Tom feels that doing homework is critical in perfecting his roles. For his role in The Relic (1997), he met with curators and scientists to learn more about the research behind public museum exhibits. Tom's favourite horror flick is Alien (1979). When Tom arrived at boot camp he weighed 190lbs, but the food was so awful, he left weighing 178lbs. His first consumption upon leaving was a diet coke.