Letters from Hollywood – Tom Wilson

Tom has enjoyed a successful career as an actor, writer and comedian for over 20 years.he is probably best known for playing bully Biff Tannen in “Back to the Future”.He has more than 50 films, television shows and comedy specials to his credit,and has appeared on talk shows with everyone from Johnny Carson to Jay Leno and David Letterman. As a voice-over actor, he has worked in dozens of animated series, including many episodes of Nickelodeon’s “SpongeBob SquarePants”. Actor, comedian, writer, musician, and artist – Tom Wilson has transcended the limitations of pop-cultural celebrity to become an artist of honesty, gravity and grace. Tom supports those who serve.

Dear Troops,

I had to say “dear troops” because I hope that my note to you goes far and wide to reach men and women in the armed forces around the world, but the fact is, I’m talking to YOU, the person reading this letter, and I’m talking from my heart.

My name is Tom Wilson. I’m an actor and comedian. I’ve performed lots of voices on the cartoon “SpongeBob Squarepants.” That’s right, I’m Reg, the bouncer at the Salty Spitoon Bar. Imagine a growling tough guy who’s a fish … “Welcome to da Salty Spitoon…How tough are ya?” yeah, that’s me. I’ve been in lots of movies and T.V. shows, lots of people recognize me as the gym teacher from the show “Freaks and Geeks,” and I’ve been a stand up comedian on the Tonight Show, and David Letterman and lots of shows like that. But okay …Time to bring out the big guns …I played Biff, and Griff, and gunslinger Buford “Mad Dog” Tannen in all the “Back To The Future” movies. Yep, that’s me.

What are you lookin’ at, BUTTHEAD?
HELLO?! ANYBODY HOME?!
Why don’t you make like a tree …and get outta here.
McFLY!!!

Thank you…Thanks …Oh, please stay seated, standing ovations have always kind of embarrassed me, but yes, I played the bad guy in those movies, which I’m sure you’ve probably seen or heard about.

You’ve been watching me on T.V. and movies for a long time, but I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you that I’ve been watching you, too. I’ve watched you working when I’ve performed shows on bases and even on the U.S.S. John Stennis (I did one of those landings on the deck where we stopped super fast and my spleen popped out my eye socket) I watch you in training when I drive by the bases of Southern California, I watch you in rough video footage on the internet and on news programs, working hard to protect not only our country, but grateful people from around the world. I watch you walking through the airports headed home to family, or headed in the opposite direction, away from your loved ones and on the way to a difficult and dangerous mission. I watch you in my heart, as I pray for you, your safety, and your family, and I thank God for raising up so many thousands of heroes like you.

I just wanted to say thank you for all you do for me and my family.

My son is thirteen. He plays baseball. He’s a big side of beef and likes to swim in the ocean and eat pizza. He wears a size thirteen shoe. He’s growing fast.

Thank you for protecting him.

I have three beautiful daughters. One is a musician, one a dancer, and one a “Hippie” artist who paints colorful pictures and wears tie dyed jeans.

Thank you for protecting them.

My wife is a music teacher. She teaches little kids to sing beautiful songs about how beautiful the world is, and how we should love each other.

Thank you for protecting her.

My Mom lives in Philadelphia. She can’t get out of the house much anymore, but she watches you on T.V., and probably like a lot of your Moms, worries about you and prays for your safety.

Thank you for protecting her.

I’m a Husband and a Dad. Like all Dads, I run around trying to take care of things, looking in the sofa cushions for spare change to buy another pizza, and hanging onto this crazy life, grateful to God for family and friends.

And grateful to God for you.

Thank you for protecting me.

I pray for you, I thank you, and I love you. That’s right. YOU.

God bless you,
Tom Wilson