Tom Tully

Tom Tully
CBS Television

Stars

Tom Tully
Film: North side of the 6100 block of Hollywood Boulevard
Actor
Born Aug. 21, 1896 in Durango, Colo.
Died April 27, 1982 in Hoag Memorial Hospital, Newport Beach, CA

Character actor Tom Tully was the warm-centered "tough-guy" veteran of more than 3,000 radio, television, movie and stage productions.

Tully began his career as a reporter at the Denver Post. But money was short, and he left for New York where he heard that radio actors were "getting big money."

His first pay was $7.50 a day — to play the part of a dog.

He uttered the musical barks of huskies for the "Renfrew of the Mounted" radio show, then was raised to $35 a day when he got the "speaking" role of a series regular who failed to appear by showtime.

Tully appeared in several stage flops before he had his first real hit, a revival of "Ah, Wilderness."

One of his earliest Hollywood roles was in "Northern Pursuit" in 1943. He followed with parts in "Destination Tokyo," "I'll Be Seeing You," "The Town Went Wild," "Kiss and Tell," "Intrigue," "Tomahawk," "10 North Frederick," "Coogan's Bluff" and others.

Television roles included appearances on Philco Playhouse, Celebrity Playhouse, Ford Theater, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, San Francisco Beat, Front Row Center and other anthology series.

"We used to kid him," said his wife, "that he was Hollywood's father, because he had played so many gals' fathers—Liz Taylor, Natalie Wood, Shirley Temple. . . ."

Related stars

Points of interest

Click for more information

    Academy Awards

    Year Category Work
    1954 Best Supporting Actor The Caine Mutiny Nomination

    Share a thought about Tom Tully

    • Did you ever meet Tom Tully? Share your memory.
    • Which other stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame have connections to Tom Tully?
    • Are other places in the world important to Tom Tully?
    • Does Tom Tully deserve this star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?

      Required
      Optional