Heather Tom Movies
A former child model who parlayed her early experiences before the camera into a successful career as an Emmy Award-winning soap opera star, Hinsdale, IL, native Heather Tom got her start in show business after her family relocated to Seattle and she made her stage debut in a Seattle Children's Theater production of The Nutcracker Suite. Walk-on roles in such shows as Who's the Boss? and Kids Incorporated followed in quick succession, and in 1989 Tom began studying at the famed Strasberg Institute following a move to California. It was at the age of 15 that Tom was cast as rebellious teen Victoria Newman in The Young and the Restless; her fiery character was an instant hit with fans and a catalyst for her first Daytime Emmy award.In the following decade, Tom would earn eight additional Daytime Emmy nominations (and one additional win), giving her the distinction of becoming the most nominated actress up to that time under the age of 30. A brief foray into stage work in the late '90s found Tom putting her television aspirations on hold, though she would later return to The Young and the Restless, to the delight of the show's strident fan base. A brief stint in One Life to Live (which found her nominated for two Emmy Awards) followed when Tom departed from The Young and the Restless for good in 2003, with a recurring role in All My Children cementing her status as a daytime drama queen. Additional roles for Tom included appearances in such films as Stiffs and Undone, and such television shows as Monk and The Wedding Bells. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 2007
Notorious "shock jock" Max Hudson (Steven Weber) is at the radio studio in middle of his daily broadcast when his wife Jeannette is killed at home. Though the police are persuaded that Jeannete's death was accidental, Monk (Tony Shalhoub) suspects that Max is a murderer, despite his "perfect" alibi. In his efforts to break Max down, Monk agrees to guest on his radio show--where he nearly becomes a murderer himself when Max begins cracking cruel jokes about the detective's late wife Trudy. As it turns out, the key to mystery is in the paws of an extremely well-trained dog. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2006
Filmmaking duo Frank and Joe Ciota follow up 1997's The North End and 2001's Ciao America with this black comedy about an Italian-American funeral home struggling to remain afloat as an influx of young, healthy bodies into the neighborhood finds business slowing. Ragucci's the nation's oldest Italian-American funeral home, and owner Felix Ragucci (Joe Sicari) is determined to stay in business. At the heart of Frank's business is Frank Tramontana (Danny Aiello), a former public relations executive who now drives a hearse for a living. Frank is a handsome man who prides himself on both his spotless reputation and his remarkable ability to seduce young women like statuesque beauty Lauren (Heather Tom). Ragussi's holds a special place in Frank's heart, not only because so many people he knows received their final farewells there but also because it serves as a community center for the close-knit family that works there. When Frank learns that Ragucci's may finally be closing their doors, he recruits fellow employees John "The Prince" Monaco (Jon Polito) and Nino Degeneroso (Louis Vanaria) in concocting a scheme to keep the funeral home afloat. But Frank is about to find out that it isn't easy to save the day while attempting to keep up with a much younger girlfriend and negotiate your son's tuition with your demanding ex-wife, and when the gang's shady scheme draws the attention of local gossip writer Sid Buford (Frank Bongiorno), all three will be begging to bury the past. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Danny Aiello, Jon Polito, (more)
- 1990
I'll Take Romance has nothing to do with the old Grace Moore musical film of the same name. Rather, this 1990 TV movie is about a publicity contest. Dressed in Joan Crawford Chic, Linda Evans plays a Seattle TV meteorologist, assigned to host a contest to find the most romantic man in Puget Sound. Evans' boyfriend Tom Skerritt stews on the sidelines as she wends her way through the studdish contestants. Since Skerritt plays a judge, is there a remote possibility that I'll Take Romance will have a crucial courtroom scene somewhere along the line? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Linda Evans, Tom Skerritt, (more)
