- Realized when he was about 12 years old that his aunt's husband was his real father. Both kept it a secret. His real father revealed on his deathbed that his one regret in life was not being able to tell people that Tom was his son.
- Created "Day for Darlene" in 1982, a 26-mile run through south Chicago to raise money to help fight multiple sclerosis. His older sister, Darlene, died from MS in 1989.
- Opened for Frank Sinatra for well over a decade in club and concert appearances throughout the U.S. and Canada. He has also appeared in many network television shows including over 60 on the The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962). He's also a frequent guest on the Late Show with David Letterman (1993).
- Was in a nightclub act, with Tim Reid, called "Tim & Tom". They met while working with the Jacyees in Illinois. They were the first (and last) Black and White comedy team.
- After four years in the Navy, Tom often worked two jobs to support his family, usually construction and bartending. Says his life changed when he joined the Jaycees where he created a drug-education program for grade school students and began to speak in front of classes and assemblies.
- Release of the book, "Tim & Tom: An American Comedy in Black & White" by Tom and Tim Reid. (2008)
- Was the third of eight children growing up in poverty in Harvey, IL.
- Father of Amy, Tom and Jennifer.
- Was a close personal friend of Frank Sinatra for several years up until his death. Therefore, whenever he's a guest on talk-shows, he's frequently asked to tell anecdotes from his time as a member of Sinatra's "gang".
- Is a stand-up comedian.
- Golfer.
- Appeared in the infomercial, hosted by Pat Boone, for "Vital Factors" bio-protector system. (2007)
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