Tom Fitzsimmons (actor)

Tom Fitzsimmons (born October 28, 1947)[1] is an American television actor.[2] He is known for playing Franklin Ford III in the American drama television series The Paper Chase.[3]

Tom Fitzsimmons
Born (1947-10-28) October 28, 1947 (age 76)
Alma materFairfield College Preparatory School
Yale University (MFA)
OccupationTelevision actor
Years active1974–2000
Known forThe Paper Chase
PartnerTim Donoghue

Life and career edit

Fitzsimmons was born in San Francisco, California.[1] He attended Fairfield College Preparatory School.[1] He then attended at Yale University, where he earned his Master of Fine Arts degree.[1] After earning his degree, Fitzsimmons made his theatre debut in the Broadway play Scapino.[1] He began his television career in 1974, where he first appeared in the soap opera television series Love of Life, where Fitzsimmons played Price Madden. Fitzsimmons guest-starred in television programs including The Bob Newhart Show, One Day at a Time, Baa Baa Black Sheep, Dallas, The Facts of Life, Murder, She Wrote and All in the Family.[4]

In 1978, Fitzsimmons joined the cast of the new CBS drama television series The Paper Chase, where he played Franklin Ford III.[3] In 1980, he had an audition having his hair curled, in which according to The Republic he was a model.[5] He played Dr. Meeker in All My Children. His last television credit was from the legal drama and police procedural television series Law & Order. But he did continue to act on stage into the late 1990s, such as in the 1999 play "Bedroom Farce" with his real-life partner Tim Donoghue.[6]

Personal life edit

He is openly gay, and he lives with his partner, actor Tim Donoghue, in Roxbury, Connecticut.[7]

Filmography edit

Film edit

Year Title Role Notes
1976 Swashbuckler Corporal Action adventure film
1984 Zombie Island Massacre Ed Horror film

Television edit

Year Title Role Notes
1974 Love of Life Price Madden
F. Scott Fitzgerald and 'The Last of the Belles' Don Cameron television film
Great Performances Fred Stevens Episode: "June Moon"
1975 First Ladies Diaries: Martha Washington Jackey television film
The Bob Newhart Show Webb Franklyn Episode: "What's It All About, Albert?"
1977 All in the Family Frank Episode: "Mike Goes Skiing"
On Day at a Time Dr. Ronnie Blanchard Episode: "Julie's Operation"
Black Sheep Squadron 2nd Lieutenant Episode: "The 200 Pound Gorilla"
1981 The Facts of Life Alex Garrett Episode: "Free Spirit"
Dream House Arthur television film
1986 Dallas Doctor Episode: "Blame It on Bogota"
1978-1986 The Paper Chase Franklin Ford III 58 episodes
1987 Murder, She Wrote Lewis Framm Episode: "Trouble in Eden"
1995 All My Children Dr. Meeker
2000 Law & Order Phil Amurski Episode: "Mega"


References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e "TVQ&A". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Fort Worth, Texas. November 19, 1978. p. 290. Retrieved May 26, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  2. ^ Gearty, Robert (July 18, 1992). "Heel stealers are harmless". Daily News. New York, New York. p. 127. Retrieved May 26, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  3. ^ a b Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle (1999). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946-Present. Ballantine Books. p. 1048. ISBN 9780345429230 – via Google Books.
  4. ^ "Tom Fitzsimmons List of Movies and TV Shows". TV Guide. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  5. ^ "Here's a Story That'll Curl Your Hair". The Republic. Columbus, Indiana. February 20, 1980. p. 7. Retrieved May 26, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  6. ^ "Last Chance: SD's Old Globe Says Goodnight To Ayckbourn's Bedroom Farce, May 9 | Playbill".
  7. ^ "If One is Good, Many is Better".

External links edit