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Director
RESUME
Tommy Cook, an award-winning actor, created an Emmy-nominated television series, films, and directed celebrity sports events for charities worldwide.
Tommy was discovered at an early age by radio legend Arch Oboler, who starred him in several network dramas, calling him a "genius". Tommy went on to act in almost 3000 radio programs and record lead voices in cartoon series. He was featured in numerous television shows and starred in five motion pictures. Photoplay Magazine selected his performance in "The Vicious Years" as one of the year's finest.
A top-ranked junior tennis player, Tommy was Calif. Interscholastic Singles Champion and went undefeated in Jr. Davis Cup competition. After enlisting in the Marine Corps, he won the Camp Pendleton singles crown and was runner-up in the ALL-NAVY Tournament.
With his tour of duty over, he continued his passion creating the original concept for what later became ABC's "Mod Squad". He sold a series starring himself entitled "Young Man With a Badge" to NBC. A long writers' strike cut short the show's future.
Tommy then originated the Man vs. Woman tennis challenge by signing Bobby Riggs against Billie Jean King in a winner-take-all match. "The Battle of the Sexes" at the Houston Astrodome was played before the largest crowd in tennis history. This huge media event revitalized Women's Sports.
Tommy followed with his Emmy-nominated CBS series, "The Challenge of the Sexes" and the top-rated prime time specials, "Celebrity Challenge of the Sexes".
After this success, he sold his original screenplay, "Balls" to Robert Evans at Paramount, which was renamed "Players". Tommy served as Associate Producer and directed the tennis action during the Wimbledon Championships, the first production company ever permitted to film at the world's most prestigious Grand Slam event.
A visionary, Tommy created the story line and marketing strategy for Universal's "Rollercoaster". The film ignited a rollercoaster frenzy, resulting in coaster-themed amusement parks opening up around the country.
Tommy also headed the sports division of noted public relations firm, Rogers&Cowan.
Tommy has produced and directed some of the most rewarding events in the entertainment industry. He signed up an illustrious group of stars for a celebrity tennis weekend at famed La Costa Resort, benefiting the Motion Picture Relief Fund. He took his celebrity sports for charities concept throughout the U.S.,Mexico, Canada, South America and Europe, directing and emceeing over 250 tennis, golf and ski competitions. The tournaments were hosted by stellar personalities including Clint Eastwood, Bill Cosby, Merv Griffin, Lloyd & Beau Bridges, Liza Minnelli, Charlton Heston, John Forsythe, HRH Prince Rainier and Robert Wagner.
Tommy is a long time member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, WGA, SAG, and Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters. He has a computer whiz son, a straight A teen daughter, and an older daughter he adopted as an orphan from Ecuador.
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