Tom Wopat is an American actor and singer. He first achieved fame as Luke Duke in the long-running 1979 television series The Dukes of Hazzard, along with John Schneider. He also played Jeff, one of Cybill Shepherd's ex-husbands in the TV series Cybill.
Life and career
Wopat was born in Lodi, Wisconsin. He attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and made his television debut in the daytime drama One Life to Live; however, he achieved television fame in the popular long-running television series The Dukes of Hazzard (1979–1985).
He also embarked on a music career. He has recorded eight albums. Musically he switches between rock and roll and country music styles, though his last two albums have been of classic pop standards. The latter recording, Dissertation on the State of Bliss, is a collection of Harold Arlen songs.
Wopat first appeared on the Broadway stage as a replacement in the 1977 musical I Love My Wife, as "Wally". He then appeared as a replacement in the stage musicals City of Angels, and Guys and Dolls. He finally appeared in the opening cast of the 1999 revival of Annie Get Your Gun opposite Bernadette Peters, Susan Lucci and Reba McEntire, who played Annie Oakley (in consecutive order). He was nominated for a Tony Award in 1999 for his performance as "Frank Butler". He has since appeared in the revivals of the musicals Chicago and 42nd Street.
In 1996, Wopat served as host for Dick Clark's new country music performance show on The Nashville Network, Prime Time Country, however his time on the show was short-lived; before the first season was over, Wopat was replaced by Contemporary Christian artist Gary Chapman as host.
In 2005, Wopat appeared in the Broadway revival of David Mamet's Pulitzer Prize-winning play Glengarry Glen Ross as the browbeaten customer, James Lingk.
On November 3, 2005, a Smallville episode called "Exposed" reunited Tom Wopat and John Schneider. Wopat played Sen. Jack Jennings, an old friend of Jonathan Kent's who comes to Smallville to seek his help in an upcoming campaign.
Wopat starred in the North Carolina Theatre's production of The Music Man, in the role of Harold Hill in November 2006.[1]
In 2008, Wopat starred on Broadway as the father in the musical A Catered Affair, written by Harvey Fierstein (book) and John Bucchino (score), which opened on April 17, 2008 at the Walter Kerr Theatre.[2] He received his second Tony nomination for that performance.
Wopat starred as Detective Jones in the Independent Black Comedy, The Understudy
Wopat has returned to the Madison area for various occasions, including performances at various area theatres.
Wopat also provided a minor voice part as a member of the "Bloodhounds" on the 2007 release, Manhunt 2 video game.
On May 26, 2008, Wopat sang the "Star Spangled Banner" and "God Bless America" at the Milwaukee Brewers vs. Washington Nationals MLB game.
In 2009, he appeared opposite Kevin Bacon in Taking Chance, the HBO production about the returning home of a young man named Chance Phelps, a United States Marine, who was killed in Iraq. Wopat plays Phelps' father in the movie, which is based on a true story.
On April 21 and 22, 2009, Wopat appeared at the Baltimore Lyric Opera House in the musical "Chicago" as the greedy lawyer Billy Flynn. He has played this part in national touring productions.
Wopat, along with Nathan Lane, took part in a workshop of a new musical, Catch Me If You Can, in July 2007. It is based on the 2002 film directed by Steven Spielberg.[3] In July 2009, Wopat originated the role of Frank Abignale, Sr. in the musical "Catch Me if You Can" from July 2009 to August 2009 at the 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle, Washington.[4]
Wopat is featured in the new musical revue Sondheim on Sondheim, conceived and directed by James Lapine, presenting the life and works of Stephen Sondheim. The revue premiered on Broadway at the Roundabout Theatre's Studio 54 on March 19, 2010 in previews and closed on June 27.[5] The show was a hit with Wopat a highlight - alongside Barbara Cook.
Gallery
Tom Wopat Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979–1985 | The Dukes of Hazzard | Luke Duke | TV series |
| 1980 | Fantasy Island | David Chilton | Episode: "Flying Aces/The Mermaid Returns" |
| 1983 | The Dukes | Luke Duke | 7 episodes |
| 1984 | Story, Songs and Stars | TV program | |
| Burning Rage | Tom Silver | TV program | |
| 1987 | Christmas Comes to Willow Creek | Pete | TV program |
| 1988 | Blue Skies | Frank Cobb | TV series |
| 1989 | A Peaceable Kingdom | Dr, Jed McFadden | 12 episodes |
| 1992 | Just My Imagination | Bobby Rex | TV program |
| 1995–1998 | Cybill | Jeff Robbins | Nominated – Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series shared with Christine Baranski, Dedee Pfeiffer, Alan Rosenberg, Cybill Shepherd and Alicia Witt TV series |
| 1996 | Murder, She Wrote | Bill Dawson | Episode: "Kendo Killing" |
| 1997 | Contagious | Sam | TV program |
| Crisis Center | Chuck Goodman | Episode: "Someone to Watch Over Me" | |
| The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion! | Luke Duke | TV program | |
| 1997–1998 | Home Improvement | Ian | Episodes: "Jill's Passion", "Taking Jill for Granite" |
| 1998 | Meteorites! | Tom Johnson | TV program |
| 1999 | The Dukes of Hazzard: Racing for Home | Little Duke | Video game
voice |
| 2000 | The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard in Hollywood! | Luke Duke | TV program |
| 2001 | 100 Centre Street | Hanley Rand | Episode: "Lost Causes" |
| 2001–2002 | All My Children | Hank Pelham | unknown episodes |
| 2004 | The Dukes of Hazzard: Return of the General Lee | Luke Duke | Video game
voice |
| 2005 | Smallville | Senator Jack Jennings | Episode: "Exposed" |
| 2006 | Standoff | Rick Keeslar | Episode:"Pilot" |
| Bonneville | Arlo | ||
| 2007 | The History of Wisconsin Football | voice | |
| 2008 | The Hive | Bill | TV program |
| The Understudy | Detective Jones | ||
| 2009 | Taking Chance | John Phelps | TV program |
| 2010 | Phineas and Ferb | Wilkins Brother #2 | Episode: "Just Passing Through/Candace's Big Day"
voice |
| Jonah Hex | Colonel Slocum |
Discography
Albums
| Year | Album |
|---|---|
| 1981 | The Dukes of Hazzard (Soundtrack) |
| 1983 | Tom Wopat |
| 1987 | A Little Bit Closer |
| 1990 | Don't Look Back |
| 1992 | Learning to Love |
| 1995 | Hands On |
| 2000 | The Still of the Night |
| 2005 | Tom Wopat Sings Harold Arlen: Dissertation on the State of Bliss |
| 2009 | Consider it Swung |
| 2013 | I've Got Your Number |
| 2014 | Home for Christmas (with John Schneider) |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart Positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Country | CAN Country | |||
| 1986 | "True Love (Never Did Run Smooth)" | 39 | A Little Bit Closer | |
| "I Won't Let You Down" | 44 | |||
| 1987 | "The Rock and Roll of Love" | 16 | 14 | |
| "Put Me Out of My Misery" | 28 | 25 | ||
| "Susannah" | 20 | |||
| 1988 | "A Little Bit Closer" | 18 | ||
| "Hey Little Sister" | 40 | singles only | ||
| "Not Enough Love" | 29 | |||
| 1991 | "Too Many Honky Tonks (On My Way Home)" | 46 | 46 | Learning to Love |
| "Back to the Well" | 51 | 54 | ||
References
- ↑ Andrew Gans. Glengarry's Wopat Begins Music Man playbill Nov. 4, 2006
- ↑ Andrew Gans. "One White Dress": New Fierstein-Bucchino Musical A Catered Affair Opens on Broadway playbill article, April 17, 2008
- ↑ Jones, Kenneth. "Lane and Wopat Invited to Catch Me If You Can Workshop" playbill.com, May 3, 2007
- ↑ Hetrick, Adam. Broadway-Aimed Catch Me If You Can Ends Seattle playbill.com, August 16, 2009
- ↑ Jones, Kenneth. Sondheim on Sondheim, a New Musical Reflection of a Life in Art, Begins on Broadway" playbill.com, March 19, 2010
External links
- Tom Wopat's Official Site
- Tom Wopat at Wikipedia
- Tom Wopat at the Internet Movie Database
- Tom Wopat at the Internet Broadway Database
- Tom Wopat at the Internet Off-Broadway Database