Waites, Thomas

Thomas G. Waites. An American actor, acting instructor, and filmmaker born in Philadelphia. He has had a diverse career spanning theater, film, and television, and is known for his roles in notable productions as well as his contributions to acting education.

Early Life and Education

Waites received a full scholarship to study acting at the Juilliard School in New York City, where he was a member of the Drama Division’s Group 7 (1974-1978). His classmates included Robin Williams, Christopher Reeve, and Frances Conroy. He later earned a B.A. in Writing from The New School and an M.F.A. in Playwriting from the University of Iowa.

Acting Career

Waites’ acting career began in theater, with his first significant role as Oliver Treefe in Simon Gray’s “Molly” at the First Annual Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC. His film debut came in 1978 with “On the Yard,” co-starring John Heard.

Notable film appearances include:

• “…And Justice for All” (1979)
• “The Thing” (1982)
• “The Clan of the Cave Bear” (1986)

On television, Waites has appeared in series such as:

• “Oz” (2001-2003)
• “Law & Order” (multiple episodes)
• “NYPD Blue“
• “Buffy the Vampire Slayer“

Waites has also lent his voice to video games, including “The Warriors” and “Grand Theft Auto IV.”

Theater Work

Waites has been active in theater throughout his career. He competed with actors like Matt Dillon and Kevin Bacon for the role of Bobby in David Mamet‘s Pulitzer Prize-winning play “American Buffalo.” He has also appeared in Broadway productions of “Search and Destroy” and “Awake and Sing!”

Acting Instruction and Studio

In 1984, Waites joined the prestigious Actors Studio. He later founded the Thomas G. Waites Acting Studio in New York City, which has gained recognition in the acting community. In 2015, his studio was named the top school to study acting in New York City by Backstage.

Directing

Waites has expanded his career into directing, both in theater and film. He directed the Off-Broadway hit “Six Goumbas and a Wannabe” and the short film “Pandora’s Box,” for which he won Best Director at the Atlantic City Film Festival. In 2023, he made his feature film directorial debut with “Target.”

Thomas G. Waites continues to be active in the entertainment industry, balancing his work as an actor, director, and acting instructor.