Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Tommy was making his living as a DJ for the local clubs, when he became a member of Robert Carlyle’s Raindog Theatre Company, performing in such plays as; Wasted I and II, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and MacBeth.
In 1995, Tommy made his breakout performance in Mel Gibson’s epic Braveheart, playing the brash rebel “Morrison” in a memorable role that earned him worldwide recognition. Tommy followed this up by working with the industry’s top directors in films such as Phillip Noyce’s The Saint, John Woo’s Face/Off, and David Fincher’s The Game. In 1999, he would get the chance to once again work with longtime colleague Robert Carlyle in Plunkett and Macleane.
That same year, Tommy earned critical praise and numerous “Best Actor” nominations for his role as “Da,” the troubled Irish father in Lynne Ramsay’s Ratcatcher. The film would go on to earn many awards as well including honors from the London Film Critics Circle and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.
He then played the role of “Cicero,” a trust-worthy ally to Russell Crowe’s character in the Academy Award- winning Gladiator for director Ridley Scott. Tommy’s focused and loyal portrayal once again earned him praise and international recognition.
Tommy followed this up with starring roles in films such as Art Linson’s Sunset Strip, playing a 1970’s heart-throb rock star, New Line Cinema’s All About the Benjamin’s opposite Ice Cube, Trauma opposite Colin Firth, Paul W.S. Anderson’s AVP: Alien vs. Predator for 20th Century Fox, and Miramax films’ Sin City for director Robert Rodriguez.
Tommy played the pivotal role of the “Stranger” terrorizing Camilla Belle in Simon West’s re-make of When a Stranger Calls, and followed this up with an equally chilling performance as the enigmatic hit man “Lazlo Soot” in Joe Carnahan’s Smokin’ Aces.
Tommy also continued to create great roles in hit series including ABC’s Detroit 1-8-7 and FOX series 24, Lie to Me, and Peaky Blinders opposite Cillian Murphy and Sam Neill.
Tommy will next be seen in the feature Winter by Heidi Greensmith, in which he plays an emotionally tortured painter trying to keep his family together after the sudden loss of his wife. Tommy also stars in The Jesuit opposite Tim Roth and Brian Cox, and Clairvoyant Venice, a film by Albert Chi and produced by director Paul Thomas Anderson.
