Tommy Wiseau | |
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File:Tommywiseaucloseup.jpg | |
Occupation | Director, actor, producer, screenwriter |
Years active | 2003–present |
Tommy Wiseau is an American screenwriter, director, producer, executive producer, and actor. He is the founder of the film production company Wiseau Films. Wiseau is best known for his film The Room which has been described as "one of the worst movies ever made" and has gained cult film status.[1] Wiseau also made the documentary Homeless in America and is working on a sitcom, The Neighbors.[2][3]
Little has been confirmed about Wiseau's early life,[4] and most of what is known has been learned through interviews with the director. Entertainment Weekly has called him "famously mysterious".[5]
Despite his vaguely eastern European accent,[4] Wiseau claims to have grown up in New Orleans,[6] and lived in France "a long time ago."[7] He moved back and forth between the United States and Europe throughout his life, and at some point moved to San Francisco, where he was employed at a hospital.[7] He prefers to be referred to as an American.[4][8] Wiseau studies psychology as a "hobby."[3]
Wiseau was interested in becoming a rock star before turning to a career in acting.[9] He was trained in acting at the American Conservatory Theater, Laney College and the Jean Shelton Actors Lab.[citation needed] He has also received acting training at the Tyler Worley Workshop and the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in Los Angeles, California.[citation needed] Wiseau has said that he has been influenced by James Dean,[9] Marlon Brando,[9] Elizabeth Taylor,[10] Tennessee Williams,[10] The Guns of Navarone,[9] and Citizen Kane.[9][10]
Almost nothing has been revealed on how Wiseau acquired the money to produce his film, though he stated that he made some of it by importing leather jackets to Korea, but refused to reveal the rest.[11]
While doing press for The Room, Wiseau stated that he regularly feels misquoted during interviews,[6][10] and often encourages (or requires) writers to post full transcripts or audio of their conversation online.[9][12]
Wiseau acted in a short film entitled The House That Drips Blood on Alex, a parody horror film written and produced by sketch comedy group Studio8. The film had a preview showing at Comic-Con on July 24, 2010. It premiered on Comedy Central and appeared online on October 14, 2010.[13][14]
Wiseau guest-starred in a Season 4 episode of Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! entitled "Tommy", wherein Wiseau guest-directed a segment; he later told an interviewer he was merely an actor on the episode, and would work with the duo again "any time."[10] He has also portrayed Trig, the Space Trader in an episode of the online series Moonshine.[15] An interview with Tim and Eric in Wired reveals they are working with Wiseau on two series.[16]
Wiseau is working on a sitcom called The Neighbors. A 22-minute pilot was shot in 2008, and Wiseau has spoken of "negotiating with some of the networks" for a deal.[3]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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2003 | The Room | Johnny | Director, producer, executive producer, writer |
2004 | Homeless in America | Interviewer | Director, producer, writer |
2009 | Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! | Himself | 1 episode |
2010 | The House That Drips Blood on Alex | Alex |
Year | Award | Category | Film |
---|---|---|---|
2004 | New York International Independent Film & Video Festival | Best Social Documentary (L.A. Festival) | Homeless in America (Shared with Kaya Redford) |
Audience Award – Feature (Miami Festival) | The Room | ||
2010 | Harvard's Ivory Tower (Harvard Undergraduate Television) Filmmaker of the Year | Filmmaker of the Year | The Room and other projects |