Tomboy, tomcat, tomfoolery… these are just a few well-known terms that begin with “Tom.” But when and why did the name Tom come to represent the so-called everyman? The name Tom originates from Thomas, a name of one of the disciples in the Bible, and it means “twin.” The name’s popularity seems to peak in 1960s America (via Nameberry), but has steadily declined over the years. The fact that Tom was such a popular name in the baby boomer era may explain why so many Toms exist in the entertainment industry today.
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Ask anyone to name a famous actor named Tom, and there are sure to be a wide set of options to choose from. From Tom Felton of Harry Potter fame to Tom Hopper from Netflix’s Umbrella Academy to The White Lotus season 2 villain Tom Hollander, there are almost too many Toms to count. Yet when it comes to the most famous of Toms, there is no question as to which ones come to the front of most people’s minds.
10 Tom Ellis
Ellis Played Lucifer Himself
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Blessed with British charm and devilish good looks, Tom Ellis is best known for his role as Lucifer in the TV series of the same name. Both a supernatural fantasy and police procedural, Lucifer tells the story of the devil himself giving up his reign over Hell to join the world of mortals. Along the way he falls in love with detective Chloe Decker, helps solve criminal cases, and evades the wrath of celestial beings from above and below. Ellis also co-starred in the British TV show Miranda, which was adapted for American audiences as the series Call Me Kat.
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The popularity of
Lucifer
was no doubt due to Ellis’ charming portrayal as a roguish supernatural being with a heart of gold.
The popularity of Lucifer was no doubt due to Ellis’ charming portrayal as a roguish supernatural being with a heart of gold. Even though the show was canceled on Fox after three seasons, audience demand gave Lucifer new life on Netflix. The show continued for three more seasons, concluding in 2021. Ellis recently lent his voice to Netflix’s Exploding Kittens animated series (playing Godcat, ironically), and had a supporting role in Hulu’s Tell Me Lies as Oliver. He has his hands full with upcoming projects as well, including two TV series and the film adaptation of The Thursday Murder Club.
9 Tom Wilkinson
The Late British Veteran Actor Appeared In Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy
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Making his start in British television, Tom Wilkinson became one of Hollywood’s most recognizable character actors. His versatile talents allowed him to take on roles in every genre, including drama, comedy, and action. Wilkinson is known for The Full Monty, and for his role in Batman Begins as Carmine Falcone. The long list of credits to his name includes films like Shakespeare In Love, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Selma, and Sense and Sensibility. During his film career, Wilkinson was nominated for two Academy Awards, including Best Actor for In The Bedroom and Best Supporting Actor for Michael Clayton.
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Wilkinson’s ability to take on just about any role accounts for his widespread fame. Whether he was dancing in his skivvies, whistle-blowing on a corrupt conglomerate, or being antagonized by the Dark Knight himself, he demands the attention of every eye directed on the screen with his performances. Wilkinson reprised his role as Gerald in The Fully Monty mini-series before his death in 2023.
8 Tom Berenger
A Star Of ’80s Cinema Including Platoon & The Big Chill
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Throw a dart at a list of influential films from the ’80s and there’s a good chance that Tom Berenger was in at least one. Perhaps his best-known role was Sergeant Bob Barnes in 1986’s war drama, Platoon, for which he earned a Best Supporting Actor nomination at the Oscars. Berenger also starred in other popular 1980s movies, including Eddie and the Cruisers, The Big Chill, and the baseball comedy films Major League and Major League 2. He acted alongside another famous Tom (Cruise) in Born on the Fourth of July in a minor role as a recruiting sergeant.
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Berenger has leading-man energy while also coming across as down-to-earth.
Whether he’s doing action, drama, or comedy, Berenger has leading-man energy while also coming across as down-to-earth. Even though he may not be as prominent in movies today, his career is still active enough for him to be recognizable. Berenger has worked steadily in many supporting film roles in recent years, and still has more on the way.
7 Tom Selleck
The Mustachioed Star Of The Small Screen
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Usually the first thing people think of when they hear the name Tom Selleck is the actor’s bushy black mustache, but the man is much more than his iconic crumb catcher. Back in the ‘80s, Selleck gained massive star appeal as Thomas Magnum on Magnum P.I. Selleck was also a recurring guest star on Friends as Richard, a friend of the Gellers who dated Monica. In the 2010 and onward, Selleck became a favorite for his role as Frank Reagan in the police procedural drama, Blue Bloods, which will wrap up this year with season 14.
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In his day, Tom Selleck was the ultimate in leading man material. In another life, he might have sported the famous fedora as Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark, had he not been committed to his work on Magnum P.I. Selleck has a way of emulating both machismo and fatherly kindness that appeals to audiences across generations, which makes him one of the best Toms in the business.
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6 Tommy Lee Jones
Cinema’s Greatest U.S. Marshal
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There’s never just one role that sticks out in people’s minds when it comes to Tommy Lee Jones’ career. For some, it’s Agent K from the Men In Black movies. For others, it’s the villainous Two Face from Batman Forever. And then there’s his famous speech as U.S. Marshal Samuel Gerard, who will stop at nothing to find his man in The Fugitive. Very few Toms are as recognizable as Jones, primarily due to his strong screen presence on screen and the varied characters he has played. From action blockbusters to film festival dramas, Jones has done it all.
The Texan native has been recognized by his home state a few times, including an induction into the Texas Film Hall of Fame
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Lee’s southern drawl is a trademark of his performances, and his humble beginnings as an oil field worker were counteracted with a love for books. In some cases, Jones has been cited as being gruff and sometimes difficult to work with. The strong and silent type, Jones has often waved off statements about his fame, preferring instead to let the work speak for itself. The Texan native has been recognized by his home state a few times, including an induction into the Texas Film Hall of Fame, the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, and the Hall of Great Western Performers.
5 Tom Hardy
One Of Christopher Nolan’s Favorite Collaborators
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Another famous Tom from across the pond, Tom Hardy is a star both in the U.S. and the U.K. His first big project was a small part in the mini-series Band of Brothers, but it was Hardy’s breakthrough role in Christopher Nolan’s Inception as Eames that caught Hollywood’s eye. Nolan brought Hardy into the fold of the Dark Knight trilogy, casting him as the formidable (and often satirized) Bane in The Dark Knight Rises. Hardy gained more attention with his role as Max in the acclaimed Mad Max: Fury Road, and as Eddie Brock in the Venom movies.
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Hardy’s clear dedication to his craft is just one of the reasons he keeps getting highly prized gigs. Whether he’s in a superhero movie or a compelling drama, it can be expected that Hardy will always take the job seriously. And with his many eclectic roles in various genres, Hardy has the ability to camouflage himself into just about any film or TV series.
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4 Tom Holland
The MCU’s Spider-Man
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Tom Holland may not be the first to play Spider-Man, but he might just be the best. Taking on the role at just 19 years old, Holland’s earnest and charismatic portrayal of the web-slinging hero brought a fresh perspective to the MCU. Since his first appearance in Captain America: Civil War, Holland has proven himself worthy of running with the big boys like Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans. He also held his own while carrying three Spider-man movies, and his moving performances in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: End Game are among the top memorable moments in the MCU.
It isn’t just his role as Spider-Man that has appealed Holland to audiences worldwide; his energetic personality is another aspect that endears him to the public.
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It isn’t just his role as Spider-Man that has appealed Holland to audiences worldwide; his energetic personality is another aspect that endears him to the public. There are countless video interviews online of Holland giving off little brother vibes alongside his MCU co-stars — even though he notoriously had trouble keeping the film franchise’s secrets. And of course, there was his spectacular performance on Lip Sync Battle in 2027. Holland’s heart-stopping song and dance routine to a mashup of “Singing In the Rain” and Rhianna’s “Umbrella” blew everyone away, with the clip going viral in a matter of days.
3 Tom Hiddleston
There’s More To The British Actor Than Just Loki
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The MCU has given several actors the chance to make a name for themselves, which is most evident in the rising fame of Tom Hiddleston. His role as the god of mischief, Loki, lifted him to A-list status in Hollywood. Loki’s popularity increased with every movie he featured in regardless of whether he was on the side of good or evil thanks to Hiddleston’s keen insight into the character. Loki was so beloved that fans weren’t ready to see him go after his death in Avengers: Infinity War, which led to the anti-hero earning his own series on Disney+.
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Since putting aside the horned helmet, Hiddleston has moved on to pursue other projects outside of Marvel. Joining visionary director Guillermo del Toro, he showed his romantic side in the gothic drama Crimson Peak in 2015. Hiddleston then co-starred with fellow Brits Olivia Colman and Hugh Laurie as Jonathan Pine in the acclaimed BBC spy thriller series The Night Manager, and is set to reprise his role in a second season coming in 2025. For fans of Stephen King, Hiddleston will star in the upcoming adaptation of The Life of Chuck, which is set to release in theaters in 2025.
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2 Tom Cruise
Hollywood’s Most Daring Action Star
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Putting Tom Cruise in any movie will almost guarantee a box office smash. He’s not only one of the most famous Toms in the world, but one of the most famous movie stars ever, period. His breakout role in Risky Business led to Cruise’s continued success throughout the 1980s, earning him top billing in movies like Top Gun, Cocktail, and Rain Man. With no signs of slowing, Cruise’s popularity soared in the ‘90s and 2000s. His singular talent has earned him critical praise as well as three Golden Globe wins and four Academy Award nominations.
Cruise famously does the majority of his own stunts in the films, from scaling skyscrapers to skydiving in real time.
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If there’s one thing that Cruise is known for besides his winning smile and acting talent, it’s the way he fearlessly throws himself into his work — particularly the Mission: Impossible movie franchise. Cruise famously does the majority of his own stunts in the films, from scaling skyscrapers to skydiving in real time. As many already know, Cruise is an avid follower of the Church of Scientology – a fact which has caused many movie-goers to see him in a different light. Although he was once very public about his beliefs, Cruise has since refused to discuss the issue with the press.
1 Tom Hanks
The Nicest Guy In Hollywood
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When it comes to the biggest movie stars in Hollywood, it’s really just a number game. In the span of his 44-year-old career, Tom Hanks has 100 acting credits, two Oscars, five Golden Globes, and seven Emmy Awards. Philadelphia, Forrest Gump, Band of Brothers, Big, and Apollo 13 are just a few of Hanks’s most prestigious projects. His work as the voice of Woody in the Toy Story movies made him a favorite of children all over the world, and his famous appearance on Saturday Night Live as David S. Pumpkins made him one of the greats.
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Hanks is not only the best Tom because of his wide range of talent. The actor is famously dubbed “the nicest guy in Hollywood” for a reason. Though Hanks once admitted to Hollywood Reporter that he isn’t always on his best behavior, just about anyone who has worked with him has been very vocal about his kindness and generosity. Julia Roberts once said this about her Larry Crowne co-star:
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“Tom can walk into any room and make you feel like you’re in your living room, truly. Make you feel comfortable, make you feel like you have something interesting to contribute, make you feel like there’s a reason you’re on the planet.”
Roberts went on to say that Hanks had “heart,” “compassion,” and “soul.” When it comes down to it, that’s really all there needs to be in the world — and Tom Hanks has it, making him not only one of the most famous Toms, but the best.