Actor, comedian and television personality Tom Green was born on July 30, 1971 in Pembroke, Ontario, Canada. He began his career as a rapper, with a short stint for the group Organized Rhyme. He became known for his comic antics, however, during his stay at Algonquin College, where his radio show with friend Glenn Humplik became a cult hit among listeners in Ottawa. In 1994, the first version of The Tom Green Show was launched on Ottawa television; it was later picked up by Canada’s The Comedy Network, and finally, by MTV in 1999.
This proved to be vital for Green’s success in the United States. The show was essentially a variety show, with guest interviews and bands; however, the show gained a reputation for its wacky stunts on unsuspecting celebrities—including, most notably, those involving her then fiancé, Drew Barrymore—as well for its somewhat risqué comedy sketches. The popularity of this show led to some Hollywood roles, with appearances in Road Trip, Charlie’s Angels, and Freddy Got Fingered, which he also directed.
In 2000, Green was diagnosed with testicular cancer, which forced him to stop production of his television show. He was cured shortly—and his ordeal became the subject of an acclaimed television special. He returned in 2003 with a nightly talk show on MTV, The New Tom Green Show, although its success was short-lived.
Green eventually pursued more mainstream success, leaving behind the more controversial aspects of his humor. He became an occasional contributor to The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, conducting man-on-the-street interviews. He returned to rapping in 2005, through the album Prepare for Impact. The following year, he signed a deal with ManiaTV.com, for which he hosted an Internet-only talk show, Tom Green Live; this later evolved into Tom Green’s House Tonight, when he struck out on his own. More recently, he took a slot on the second season of The Celebrity Apprentice.
- He was married to Drew Barrymore from 2001 to 2002.
- He formed a production company called "Bob Green Films," named after his uncle.
- He named his parrot Rex Murphy.
- In 2006, he jumped through a ring of fire on his skate board in a performance for America's Got Talent.
2009: Revenge of the Boarding School Dropouts (video) - Kingsley
2009: The Apprentice (TV series)
2008: Shred (video) - Kingsley
2008: Go for the Green (TV series) - Host
2008: Legacy (video) - Det. Stras
2008: Freezer Burn: The Invasion of Laxdale - Bill Swanson
2006-2007: Tom Green's House Tonight (TV series) - Host
2005: Bob the Butler - Bob Tree
2005: Now That's Funny (video)
2004: Odd Job Jack (TV series) - Terence McGavin
2003: Grind - Colorado Skate Shop Owner
2002: The True Meaning of Christmas Specials (TV movie) - Thomas, the butler
2002: Stealing Harvard - Walter P. 'Duff' Duffy
2002: Malcolm in the Middle (TV series) - Steve
2001: Freddy Got Fingered - Gord Brody
2000: Charlie's Angels - Chad
2000: Road Trip - Barry Manilow
2000: Dilbert (TV series) - Jerrold
1999: Superstar - Dylan
1998: Clutch - Computer Gimp
1998: The Chicken Tree (short) - Bus Driver