Tom Sizemore rose in prominence throughout the 1990s, establishing himself as a memorable tough guy character, sought after by the most respected directors in the business. Born in Detroit on 29 November, 1961, Sizemore grew up idolizing the tough guy characters of the movies he watched. After attending Wayne State University, he got his master's degree in theater from Temple University in 1986.
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show all Tom Sizemore rose in prominence throughout the 1990s, establishing himself as a memorable tough guy character, sought after by the most respected directors in the business. Born in Detroit on 29 November, 1961, Sizemore grew up idolizing the tough guy characters of the movies he watched. After attending Wayne State University, he got his master's degree in theater from Temple University in 1986.
Like many he moved to New York City and struggled, waiting tables and performing in plays. His first break came when Oliver Stone cast him in a bit part in "The Born on the Fourth of July (1989)". Bigger roles soon followed throughout the early 90s, such as "Guilty by Suspicion (1991)", "True Romance (1993)", and "Striking Distance (1993)". 1994 proved to be an even bigger year for Sizemore, as he won the role of Bat Masterson in Kevin Costner's star-studded biopic "Wyatt Earp (1994)", as well as one of his first truly memorable roles as Detective Jack Scagnetti in Oliver Stone 's controversial "Natural Born Killers (1994)". In 1995 he appeared in "Devil in a Blue Dress (1995)", "Strange Days (1995)", as well as the acclaimed crime epic "Heat (1995)", directed by Michael Mann . Sizemore's his first big leading role in "Relic (1997)", the big budget effects thriller directed by Peter Hyams.
According to a 2001 interview in The Calgary Sun, Sizemore entered a drug rehab program in 1998 after his mother and his friend Robert De Niro appeared on his doorstep during the filming of "Witness to the Mob (1998) (TV)". Telling him they were there to drive him to jail or to rehab, Sizemore chose rehab. After he completed rehab, he counseled teens involved in substance abuse.
Offered both a role in WWII films directed by both Terrence Malick and Steven Spielberg , Sizemore chose the role of Sergeant Horvath in "Saving Private Ryan (1998)". The role and film received widespread acclaim and introduced Sizemore's talents to a much broader audience in a more human and well-rounded role than he had previously been given. Sizemore also credits this shoot and Spielberg for helping him with his recovery from addiction, with Spielberg threatening to re-shoot the entire film if Sizemore failed a drug test even once.
After a flamboyant and uncredited mobster role in "Enemy of the State (1998)", Sizemore then portrayed a psychotic ambulance driver in "Bringing Out the Dead (1999)" directed by Martin Scorsese. Seemingly taking it easy, he then turned in fine but stereotypical performances in "Play It to the Bone (1999)", "Red Planet (2000)", and "Pearl Harbor (2001)". Sizemore then received another leading role in the high-profile military drama "Black Hawk Down (2001)" directed by yet another legendary director, Ridley Scott.
Specializing in the sort of ultimate tough guy/manly man roles that hearken back to a different era in film, Sizemore continues to be a favorite of Hollywood's greatest directors. Never afraid to speak his mind about anyone and anything, his sense of blunt honesty and lack of pretentiousness is refreshing. A commanding voice and presence on film, Sizemore looks to continue as one of Hollywood's greatest actors.
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