Tom Fitzsimmons (actor)

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Tom Fitzsimmons
Born (1947-10-28) October 28, 1947 (age 76)
Alma materFairfield College Preparatory School
Yale University (MFA)
OccupationTelevision actor
Years active1974–2000
Known forThe Paper Chase
PartnerTim Donoghue

Tom Fitzsimmons (born October 28, 1947)[1] is an American television actor.[2] He is known for playing Franklin Ford III in the American drama television series The Paper Chase.[3]

Life and career[edit]

Fitzsimmons was born in San Francisco, California.[1] He attended Fairfield College Preparatory School.[1] He then attended at Yale University, where he earned his Master of Fine Arts degree.[1] After earning his degree, Fitzsimmons made his theatre debut in the Broadway play Scapino.[1] He began his television career in 1974, where he first appeared in the soap opera television series Love of Life, where Fitzsimmons played Price Madden. Fitzsimmons guest-starred in television programs including The Bob Newhart Show, One Day at a Time, Baa Baa Black Sheep, Dallas, The Facts of Life, Murder, She Wrote and All in the Family.[4]

In 1978, Fitzsimmons joined the cast of the new CBS drama television series The Paper Chase, where he played Franklin Ford III.[3] In 1980, he had an audition having his hair curled, in which according to The Republic he was a model.[5] He played Dr. Meeker in All My Children. His last television credit was from the legal drama and police procedural television series Law & Order. But he did continue to act on stage into the late 1990s, such as in the 1999 play "Bedroom Farce" with his real-life partner Tim Donoghue.[6]

Personal life[edit]

He is openly gay, and he lives with his partner, actor Tim Donoghue, in Roxbury, Connecticut.[7]

Filmography[edit]

Film[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1976 Swashbuckler Corporal Action adventure film
1984 Zombie Island Massacre Ed Horror film

Television[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1974 Love of Life Price Madden
F. Scott Fitzgerald and 'The Last of the Belles' Don Cameron television film
Great Performances Fred Stevens Episode: "June Moon"
1975 First Ladies Diaries: Martha Washington Jackey television film
The Bob Newhart Show Webb Franklyn Episode: "What's It All About, Albert?"
1977 All in the Family Frank Episode: "Mike Goes Skiing"
On Day at a Time Dr. Ronnie Blanchard Episode: "Julie's Operation"
Black Sheep Squadron 2nd Lieutenant Episode: "The 200 Pound Gorilla"
1981 The Facts of Life Alex Garrett Episode: "Free Spirit"
Dream House Arthur television film
1986 Dallas Doctor Episode: "Blame It on Bogota"
1978-1986 The Paper Chase Franklin Ford III 58 episodes
1987 Murder, She Wrote Lewis Framm Episode: "Trouble in Eden"
1995 All My Children Dr. Meeker
2000 Law & Order Phil Amurski Episode: "Mega"


References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e "TVQ&A". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Fort Worth, Texas. November 19, 1978. p. 290. Retrieved May 26, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. Closed access icon
  2. ^ Gearty, Robert (July 18, 1992). "Heel stealers are harmless". Daily News. New York, New York. p. 127. Retrieved May 26, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. Closed access icon
  3. ^ a b Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle (1999). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946-Present. Ballantine Books. p. 1048. ISBN 9780345429230 – via Google Books.
  4. ^ "Tom Fitzsimmons List of Movies and TV Shows". TV Guide. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  5. ^ "Here's a Story That'll Curl Your Hair". The Republic. Columbus, Indiana. February 20, 1980. p. 7. Retrieved May 26, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. Closed access icon
  6. ^ "Last Chance: SD's Old Globe Says Goodnight To Ayckbourn's Bedroom Farce, May 9 | Playbill".
  7. ^ "If One is Good, Many is Better".

External links[edit]