Tom Wopat
{{short description|American actor and singer}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{BLP sources|date=August 2017}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Tom Wopat
| image = Tom Wopat by Gage Skidmore.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Tom Wopat in 2024
| birth_name = Thomas Steven Wopat
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1951|9|9}}
| birth_place = Lodi, Wisconsin, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| known_for = Lucas K. "Luke" Duke in The Dukes of Hazzard
| occupation = Actor, singer
| years_active = 1977–present
| children = 5
| spouse = Vickie Allen (divorced)
Kirsten S. Larvick
| module = {{Infobox musical artist
| embed = yes
| genre = Country
| instrument = Vocals
| label = Columbia, EMI, Capitol, Epic
}}
}}
Thomas Steven Wopat (born September 9, 1951){{cite book |title=The Handy Wisconsin Answer Book |date=2019 |publisher=Visible Ink Press |isbn=9781578596980 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e9WuDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT549}}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UpucCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA340|title=From Small Screen to Vinyl: A Guide to Television Stars Who Made Records, 1950-2000|page=340|first=Bob|last=Leszczak|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield Publishers|date=June 25, 2015|isbn=9781442242746|via=Google Books}} is an American actor and singer. He first achieved fame as Lucas K. "Luke" Duke on the long-running television action/comedy series The Dukes of Hazzard. Since then, Wopat has worked regularly, most often on the stage in musicals and in supporting television and movie roles. He was a semi-regular recurring character on the 1990s comedy series Cybill, and he had a small role as U.S. Marshal Gil Tatum in Django Unchained (2012). Wopat also has a recurring role as Sheriff Jim Wilkins on the television series Longmire. Additionally, Wopat has recorded several albums of country songs and pop standards, scoring a series of moderately successful singles in the 1980s and 1990s.
Biography
Wopat was born in Lodi, Wisconsin, the fifth of eight children born to Albin and Ruth Wopat. His father was a dairy farmer of Czech descent. He was raised a devout Catholic.{{cite web|url=http://www.nopactalent.com/celebrity/tom-wopat-speaker-appearance-booking-agent.php|title=Tom Wopat Agent - Speaker Fee - Booking Contact|website=Nopactalent.com|access-date=August 3, 2017}}
Wopat attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison and made his television debut on One Life to Live. He credits UW-Madison Lighting Design teacher Gilbert Vaughn Hemsley Jr. with advancing his early performing career.{{cite web |url= https://www.broadwayworld.com/cabaret/article/BWW-Interview-TOM-WOPAT-Up-Close-and-Personal-at-The-Beach-Cafe-20191018 |title= Tom Wopat, Up Close and Personal at The Beach Cafe |author= Brady Schwind |date=October 18, 2019 |website= Broadway World |access-date=May 29, 2024 |quote=" And there was a guy named Gilbert Hemsley, who was kind of a world famous lighting designer at the time”}} He achieved fame on the television series The Dukes of Hazzard (1979–85), then embarked on a music career. He has recorded eleven albums. Musically, he switches between rock and roll and country music styles, though two recent albums have been of classic pop standards. His 1980s albums were on EMI Nashville. A 2005 recording, Dissertation on the State of Bliss, is a collection of Harold Arlen songs. Wopat first appeared on the Broadway stage as a replacement in the 1977 musical I Love My Wife, as Wally. He later appeared as a replacement in the stage musicals City of Angels and Guys and Dolls (as Sky Masterson in 1992-93).
In 1981, he played the main character, Billy Bigelow, in the musical Carousel, at the Barn Theatre in Augusta, Michigan. He later reprised the role at the Kennedy Center in 1986. He appeared in the opening cast of the 1999 revival of Annie Get Your Gun as Frank Butler, opposite Bernadette Peters, Cheryl Ladd, Susan Lucci, and Crystal Bernard, who played Annie Oakley (in consecutive order); he was nominated for a Tony Award in 1999 for his performance as Butler. He later appeared in revivals of Chicago (as Billy Flynn in 2004-05, 2007 and 2008-09) and 42nd Street.{{IBDB name|65643}}
In 2005, Wopat appeared in the Broadway revival of David Mamet's Pulitzer Prize–winning play Glengarry Glen Ross as James Lingk. He starred in the North Carolina Theatre's production of The Music Man as Harold Hill in November 2006.{{cite web |url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/103251.html |title=Playbill News: Glengarry 's Wopat Begins Music Man Run Nov. 4 |access-date=May 27, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930180500/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/103251.html |archive-date=September 30, 2007 }}
In 2008, Wopat starred on Broadway as the father of the bride-to-be in A Catered Affair, written by Harvey Fierstein (book) and John Bucchino (score), which opened on April 17, 2008, at the Walter Kerr Theatre.[http://www.playbill.com/news/article/116840.html Playbill article "One White Dress": New Fierstein-Bucchino Musical A Catered Affair Opens on Broadway] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080421005000/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/116840.html |date=April 21, 2008 }}, April 17, 2008. He received his second Tony nomination for that performance.
In July 2009, he originated the role of Frank Abagnale Sr. in the musical Catch Me If You Can (based on the film of the same name) in July and August 2009 at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre.Hetrick, Adam. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/131984-Broadway-Aimed-Catch-Me-If-You-Can-Ends-Seattle-Premiere-Run-Aug-16 Broadway-Aimed "Catch Me If You Can Ends Seattle Premiere Run Aug. 16"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604233539/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/131984-Broadway-Aimed-Catch-Me-If-You-Can-Ends-Seattle-Premiere-Run-Aug-16 |date=June 4, 2011 }}, Playbill.com, August 16, 2009.
He was featured in the new musical revue Sondheim on Sondheim, conceived and directed by James Lapine, presenting the life and works of Stephen Sondheim. The revue premiered on Broadway at the Roundabout Theatre's Studio 54 on March 19, 2010, in previews and closed on June 27.Jones, Kenneth.[http://www.playbill.com/news/article/137969-Sondheim-on-Sondheim-a-New-Musical-Reflection-of-a-Life-in-Art-Begins-on-Broadway "Sondheim on Sondheim, a New Musical Reflection of a Life in Art, Begins on Broadway"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301212708/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/137969-Sondheim-on-Sondheim-a-New-Musical-Reflection-of-a-Life-in-Art-Begins-on-Broadway |date=March 1, 2014 }}, Playbill.com, March 19, 2010; accessed March 23, 2014. He portrayed Ryan Hutton in the musical Lovestruck.[http://beta.abcfamily.go.com/movies/lovestruck-the-musical Lovestruck], Abcfamily.go.com; accessed June 21, 2017.
Personal life
=Marriages=
Wopat was first married to Vickie Allen. That union ended in divorce. He is married to Kirsten S. Larvick, a filmmaker and audiovisual archivist.{{cn|date=August 2022}}
=Legal troubles=
Wopat was arrested on March 15, 2006, in northern New Jersey, charged with driving while intoxicated and reckless driving.{{cite web|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/hazzard-actor-tom-wopat-faces-dui-1C9493534/|title='Hazzard' actor Tom Wopat faces DUI|website=today.com|date=March 17, 2006 |access-date=July 13, 2024}}
Wopat was arrested on August 2, 2017, on indecent assault and battery (felony) and drug (misdemeanor) charges in Waltham, Massachusetts, where he was about to open in a production of 42nd Street at Reagle Music Theater of Greater Boston.{{cite web|url=http://www.tmz.com/2017/08/03/tom-wopat-arrest-indecent-assault-battery-cocaine/|title='Dukes of Hazzard' Star Tom Wopat Arrested for Indecent Assault|website=Tmz.com|date=August 3, 2017 |access-date=August 3, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcdfw.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/Dukes-of-Hazzard-Star-Wopat-Faces-Indecent-Assault-Drug-Charges--438333043.html?_osource=SocialFlowFB_DFWBrand|title='Dukes of Hazzard' Star Faces Indecent Assault, Drug Charges|website=Nbcdfw.com|date=August 3, 2017 |access-date=August 3, 2017}} The Boston Globe reported "According to a Waltham police report, Wopat allegedly assaulted the woman during a rehearsal at the high school on July 23. The accuser said he came up behind her and grabbed her buttocks and continued touching her in that area. The show's producer and manager had previously spoken to Wopat regarding complaints from other female cast members about inappropriate comments and touching, the report said. The artistic director told police he had spoken with Wopat three times, and the actor was also reprimanded for being intoxicated at rehearsal, authorities said."{{cite web|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2017/08/03/dukes-hazard-actor-arrested-waltham/EZVqT8G3b9lMRLFg1v2EwJ/story.html|title='Dukes of Hazard' actor arrested in Waltham |website=bostonglobe.com |date=August 3, 2017 |access-date=August 3, 2017}}
During his arrest by Waltham police on August 2, 2017, a search of him and his vehicle under warrant revealed "two bags of white powder believed to be cocaine."{{cite news | title = 'Dukes of Hazzard' star faces indecent assault, drug charges | url = https://www.staradvertiser.com/2017/08/03/breaking-news/dukes-of-hazzard-star-faces-indecent-assault-drug-charges/ | work = Star-Advertiser | location = Honolulu | agency = Associated Press | date = August 3, 2017 | access-date = August 3, 2017}} According to court documents, Wopat told police that he buys cocaine "in large quantities and uses it over time". Wopat pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on August 3, 2017, and was released on bail.{{cite web|url=http://www.wcvb.com/article/dukes-of-hazzard-star-arrested-for-indecent-assault-and-battery-in-waltham-tmz-reports/11290482|title='Dukes of Hazzard' star arrested for indecent assault and battery in Waltham|website=wcvb.com|date=August 3, 2017 |access-date=August 3, 2017}}
On July 20, 2018, Wopat pleaded guilty to two counts of "annoying and accosting a person of the opposite sex" and was sentenced to one year of probation.{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2018/07/20/dukes-hazzard-star-tom-wopat-pleads-guilty-annoying-woman/810480002/ |title=Former 'Dukes of Hazzard' star Tom Wopat pleads guilty to 'annoying' women, gets probation |last=Puente |first=Maria |date=July 20, 2018 |work=USA Today |access-date=July 23, 2018}}
Filmography
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| width="50px"| Year
! width="250px"| Title ! width="150px"| Role ! class="unsortable"| Notes |
|---|
| 1979–85
| 128 episodes |
| 1980
| David Chilton | Episode: "Flying Aces/The Mermaid Returns" |
| 1983
| Luke Duke (voice) | 7 episodes |
| rowspan="2" | 1984
| Story, Songs and Stars | | Television movie |
| Burning Rage
| Tom Silver | Television movie |
| 1987
| Christmas Comes to Willow Creek | Pete | Television movie |
| 1988
| Frank Cobb | 8 episodes |
| 1989
| Dr. Jed McFadden | 12 episodes |
| 1992
| Just My Imagination | Bobby Rex | Television movie |
| 1995–1998
| Cybill | Jeff Robbins | 22 episodes |
| 1996
| Bill Dawson | Episode: "Kendo Killing" |
| rowspan="3" | 1997
| Contagious | Sam | Television Movie |
| Crisis Center
| Chuck Goodman | Episode: "Someone to Watch Over Me" |
| The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!
| Luke Duke | Television movie |
| 1997–1998
| Ian | 2 episodes |
| 1998
| Meteorites! | Tom Johnson | Television movie |
| 1999
| The Dukes of Hazzard: Racing for Home | Luke Duke |
| 2000
| The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard in Hollywood | Luke Duke | Television movie |
| 2001
| Hanley Rand | Episode: "Lost Causes" |
| 2001–02
| Hank Pelham | Unknown episodes |
| 2004
| The Dukes of Hazzard: Return of the General Lee | Luke Duke | Video game |
| 2005
| Senator Jack Jennings | Episode: "Exposed" |
| rowspan="2" | 2006
| Standoff | Rick Keeslar | Episode: "Pilot" |
| Bonneville
| Arlo | |
| rowspan="2" | 2007
| The Bloodhounds | Video game |
| The History of Wisconsin Football
| (voice) | Video |
| rowspan="2" | 2008
| The Hive | Bill | Television movie |
| The Understudy
| Detective Jones | |
| 2009
| John Phelps | Television movie |
| rowspan="2" | 2010
| Colonel Slocum | |
| Main Street
| Frank | |
| 2010–11
| Wilkins Brother No. 2 (voice) | 2 episodes |
| rowspan="3" | 2012
| U. S. Marshall Gill Tatum | |
| Mariachi Gringo
| Ron | |
| Blue Bloods
| Craig Iverson | Season 2 Episode 16 "Women With Guns" |
| 2012–17
| Sheriff Jim Wilkins | 6 episodes |
| 2013
| Ryan Hutton | Television movie |
| 2015
| Dentist | |
| rowspan="2" | 2016
| Richard Grant | |
| Elementary
| Soble | Season 4 Episode 9 "Murder Ex Machina" |
| rowspan="2" | 2017
| Jimmy Pipes | |
| New Money
| John Breckner | |
| 2018
| Alden Rockwell | |
| 2019
| Delight in the Mountain | Guido | |
| 2020
| Warden Roy Cain | Episode: "Roy Cain" |
| rowspan="2" | 2022
| Alden Rockwell | |
| County Line: No Fear
| Alden Rockwell | |
Discography
=Albums=
| class="wikitable"
! Year ! Album ! Label |
| 1981
| The Dukes of Hazzard {{small|(soundtrack)}} | Volcano |
| 1983
| Tom Wopat | Columbia |
| 1987
| A Little Bit Closer | EMI America |
| 1988
| Don't Look Back | Capitol |
| 1991
| Learning to Love | Epic |
| 1995
| Hands On | self-released |
| 2000
| The Still of the Night | Angel |
| 2005
| Tom Wopat Sings Harold Arlen: Dissertation on the State of Bliss | Big Deal |
| 2009
| Consider it Swung | LML |
| 2013
| I've Got Your Number | LML |
| 2014
| Home for Christmas {{small|(with John Schneider)}} | Wopat Music |
| 2017
| Wopat | PledgeMusic |
| 2022
|Simple Man |Wopat Music |
=Singles=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style=text-align:center;
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Year ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:22em;" | Title ! scope="col" colspan="2" | Peak positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album |
| style="width:4em;font-size:90%;"|US Country
! style="width:4em;font-size:90%;"|CAN Country |
|---|
| 1982
! scope="row"| "Full Moon, Empty Pockets" | — | — | align="left" rowspan="3"| Tom Wopat |
| rowspan="2"| 1983
! scope="row"| "(Till) I Kissed You" | — | — |
| scope="row"| "Sha-Marie"
| — | — |
| rowspan="3"| 1986
! scope="row"| "True Love (Never Did Run Smooth)" | 39 | — | align="left" rowspan="6"| A Little Bit Closer |
| scope="row"| "I Won't Let You Down"
| 44 | — |
| scope="row"| "The Rock and Roll of Love"
| 16 | 14 |
| rowspan="2"| 1987
! scope="row"| "Put Me Out of My Misery" | 28 | 25 |
| scope="row"| "Susannah"
| 20 | — |
| rowspan="3"| 1988
! scope="row"| "A Little Bit Closer" | 18 | — |
| scope="row"| "Hey Little Sister"
| 40 | — | align="left" rowspan="2"| Don't Look Back |
| scope="row"| "Not Enough Love"
| 29 | — |
| rowspan="2"| 1991
! scope="row"| "Too Many Honky Tonks (On My Way Home)" | 46 | 46 | align="left" rowspan="2"| Learning to Love |
| scope="row"| "Back to the Well"
| 51 | 54 |
=Music videos=
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
! Video ! Director |
|---|
| 1988
| "A Little Bit Closer" | {{n/a}} |
| 1991
| "Back to the Well" |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.tomwopat.com Tom Wopat's Official Site]
- {{IMDb name|0941374}}
- {{IBDB name}}
- {{iobdb name|13738}}
- {{Tcmdb name|1563490}}
{{doh}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wopat, Tom}}
Category:People from Lodi, Wisconsin
Category:American country singer-songwriters
Category:American male singer-songwriters
Category:American male musical theatre actors
Category:American male television actors
Category:American people of Czech descent
Category:Male actors from Wisconsin
Category:University of Wisconsin–Madison alumni
Category:Columbia Records artists
Category:Capitol Records artists
Category:People from West Milford, New Jersey
Category:Country musicians from New Jersey
Category:Country musicians from Wisconsin