Tom Waits

Tom Waits

1949-12-07 Pomona, California, USA 96 Credits

Biography

Thomas Alan Waits (born December 7, 1949) is an American musician, composer, songwriter and actor. His lyrics often focus on the underbelly of society and are delivered in his trademark deep, gravelly voice. He worked primarily in jazz during the 1970s, but his music since the 1980s has reflected greater influence from blues, rock, vaudeville, and experimental genres. Waits was born and raised in a middle-class family in Whittier, California. Inspired by the work of Bob Dylan and the Beat Gener...

Known For

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Complete Filmography

Father Mother Sister Brother

Father Mother Sister Brother

2025

as Father

Acting

Three separate stories all concern the relationships between adult children, their somewhat distant parent (or parents), and each other. Each of the t...

Human Nature in Eleven Parts

Human Nature in Eleven Parts

2025

as Narrator "Laughing Heart" (archive footage)

Acting

Short vignettes explore different facets of human behavior and social issues.

The Absence of Eden

The Absence of Eden

2024

as Hunley

5.0
Acting

An ICE Agent struggling with the moral dilemmas of border security and an undocumented woman fighting to escape a ruthless cartel cross paths and work...

Tom Waits: Glitter and Doom Concert Experience

Tom Waits: Glitter and Doom Concert Experience

2024

as Self

Acting

A compilation of professional footage and fan films to reconstruct an entire Tom Waits concert from his "Glitter and Doom Tour" of 2008.

This Is Sparklehorse

This Is Sparklehorse

2022

as Self

Acting

An comprehensive look at the life and music of Mark Linkous, a influential figure in the alternative music scene. Critically-acclaimed Linkous had a ...

Robert Wilson: The Beauty of the Mysterious

Robert Wilson: The Beauty of the Mysterious

2022

as Self

Acting

We look back at more than half a century of mysterious artistic creation while trying to crack a unique artistic code. Why are people moved to tears w...

Licorice Pizza

Licorice Pizza

2021

as Rex Blau

7.0
Acting

The story of Gary Valentine and Alana Kane growing up, running around and going through the treacherous navigation of first love in the San Fernando V...

Motherless Brooklyn

Motherless Brooklyn

2019

as News Stand Owner (uncredited)

6.7
Acting

New York City, 1957. Lionel Essrog, a private detective living with Tourette syndrome, tries to solve the murder of his mentor and best friend, armed ...

The Dead Don't Die

The Dead Don't Die

2019

as Hermit Bob

5.4
Acting

In a small peaceful town, zombies suddenly rise to terrorize the town. Now three bespectacled police officers and a strange Scottish morgue expert mus...

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs

2018

as Prospector (segment "All Gold Canyon")

7.1
Acting

Vignettes weaving together the stories of six individuals in the old West at the end of the Civil War. Following the tales of a sharp-shooting songste...

MARC RIBOT FEAT. TOM WAITS – Bella Ciao (Goodbye Beautiful)

2018

Original Music Composer

The Old Man & the Gun

The Old Man & the Gun

2018

as Waller

6.4
Acting

The true story of Forrest Tucker, from his audacious escape from San Quentin at the age of 70 to an unprecedented string of heists that confounded aut...

The Moon’s Milk

The Moon’s Milk

2018

as Captain Millipede (voice)

Acting

At a time when the moon could be reached by ladder, Captain Millipede, his daughter, a deaf milk miner, a beautiful accordionist, and a wannabe pole d...

Roy Orbison: Black and White Night 30

Roy Orbison: Black and White Night 30

2017

as Self

Acting

Black and White Night 30 is a re-imagined, re-edited, remastered and expanded version of the original television special. Re-edited by Roy's youngest ...

Tom Waits: Tales from a Cracked Jukebox

Tom Waits: Tales from a Cracked Jukebox

2017

as Self

6.7
Acting

Tom Waits is one of the most original musicians of the last five decades. Renowned for his gravelly voice and dazzling mix of musical styles, he's als...

Keith Richards: Under the Influence

Keith Richards: Under the Influence

2015

as Self

6.7
Acting

A portrait of Keith Richards that takes us on a journey to discover the genesis of his sound as a songwriter, guitarist and performer.

The Laughing Heart

2013

as Narrator

4.0
Acting

From a Charles Bukowski poem

Seven Psychopaths

Seven Psychopaths

2012

as Zachariah Rigby

6.8
Acting

A struggling screenwriter inadvertently becomes entangled in the Los Angeles criminal underworld after his oddball friends kidnap a gangster's beloved...

A Brief History of John Baldessari

A Brief History of John Baldessari

2012

as Narrator

5.3
Acting

The epic life of a world-class artist, jammed into six minutes.

Twixt

Twixt

2011

as Narrator (voice)

5.1
Acting

A struggling horror writer visiting a small town on a book tour gets caught up in a murder mystery involving a young girl. That night in a dream, he i...

The Monster of Nix

The Monster of Nix

2011

as Virgil (Voice)

7.0
Acting

Life is good in the idyllic fairytale village of Nix... until an all-devouring monster appears. Young Willy has to fight it. Alone.

The Book of Eli

The Book of Eli

2010

as Engineer

6.8
Acting

A post-apocalyptic tale, in which a lone man fights his way across America in order to protect a sacred book that holds the secrets to saving humankin...

The Fallen

The Fallen

2010

Music

Dedicated to all who have risked climbing, and to those who have fallen by choice, circumstance or by accident. Mixing of original, found, and approp...

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

2009

as Devil

6.4
Acting

A travelling theatre company has more to it than meets the eye.

Tom Waits: Romeo Bleeding - Live from Austin

Tom Waits: Romeo Bleeding - Live from Austin

2009

as Self

3.8
Acting

Taped in 1978, Waits and his band of Herbert Hardesty, Arthur Richardson, John Thomassie and Greg Cohen were in Austin to support the release of Blue ...

Tom Waits: Under Review

2008

as Self

4.0
Acting

.It's almost 40 years since Tom Waits' debut record, and during a career that, for most fans, has quite simply gotten better, more exciting and more c...

One Fast Move or I'm Gone: Kerouac's Big Sur

One Fast Move or I'm Gone: Kerouac's Big Sur

2008

as Self

6.8
Acting

"One Fast Move or I'm Gone: Kerouac's Big Sur" examines Jack Kerouac's escape from post "On The Road" fame to his dream of an isolated retreat in a ca...

Wristcutters: A Love Story

Wristcutters: A Love Story

2007

as Kneller

7.0
Acting

Zia, distraught over breaking up with his girlfriend, decides to end it all. Unfortunately, he discovers that there is no real ending, only a run-down...

To Live and to Die in Samarkand

To Live and to Die in Samarkand

2007

Sound

Having gone to Samarkand in search of traces of colonial culture, of which there were quite a few left there, having carefully photographed them, we s...

Tom Waits - No Visitors After Midnight

Tom Waits - No Visitors After Midnight

2006

as Self

3.8
Acting

Tom Waits live: Chicago, IL, USA, PBS Soundstage 1975 & London, UK, BBC Studios, "Live in Person" TV Show

Tom Waits - Burma Shave [Live Concert]

Tom Waits - Burma Shave [Live Concert]

2006

as Self

3.8
Acting

Singer/songwriter extraordinaire Tom Waits has become an American musical institution over the last few decades. His audience continues to grow, more ...

The Tiger and the Snow

The Tiger and the Snow

2005

as Self / Sè stesso

6.8
Acting

Love and injury in time of war. Attilio de Giovanni teaches poetry in Italy. He has a romantic soul, and women love him. But he is in love with Vittor...

Domino

Domino

2005

as Wanderer

5.9
Acting

The story of the life of Domino Harvey, who abandoned her career as a Ford model to become a bounty hunter.

Coffee and Cigarettes

Coffee and Cigarettes

2004

as Tom (segment "Somewhere in California")

6.9
Acting

Coffee And Cigarettes is a collection of eleven films from cult director Jim Jarmusch. Each film hosts star studded cast of extremely unique individua...

Bukowski: Born Into This

Bukowski: Born Into This

2003

as Self

6.8
Acting

Director John Dullaghan’s biographical documentary about infamous poet Charles Bukowski, Bukowski: Born Into This, is as much a touching portrait of t...

The Last Castle

The Last Castle

2001

Original Music Composer

7.2

A court-martialed general rallies together 1200 inmates to rise against the system that put him away.

Stille Nacht V: Dog Door

Stille Nacht V: Dog Door

2001

Lyricist

6.0

Tom Waits, the brothers Quay, and a dog door.

Tom Waits - Bridge School Benefit

1999

as Self

3.8
Acting
Mystery Men

Mystery Men

1999

as Doc Heller

5.8
Acting

When Champion City's hero Captain Amazing is kidnapped by the recently paroled supervillain Casanova Frankenstein, a trio of average, everyday superhe...

Tom Waits: VH1 Storytellers

1999

as Self

Acting

VH1 Storytellers: Season 4 Episode 2 - Tom Waits (1999)

Bunny

Bunny

1998

Music, Music Producer

6.6
Producing

Bunny, an elderly rabbit who uses a walker, is in her kitchen one night baking a cake. A photograph from her wedding day is on her wall. A pesky and p...

Guy Maddin: Waiting for Twilight

Guy Maddin: Waiting for Twilight

1997

as Narrator (voice)

7.2
Acting

Interviews with Guy Maddin and his pals are included in this documentary about the Canadian film-maker's life and movies. Features clips from most of ...

Coffee and Cigarettes III

Coffee and Cigarettes III

1997

as Tom

6.9
Acting

This shortcut repeats the structure of Coffee and Cigarettes. This time, Iggy Pop and Tom Waits meet in a bar. But, again, we don't know why they agre...

Short Cuts

Short Cuts

1993

as Earl Piggot

7.2
Acting

Many loosely connected characters cross paths in this film, based on the stories of Raymond Carver. Waitress Doreen Piggot accidentally runs into a bo...

Luck, Trust & Ketchup: Robert Altman in Carver Country

Luck, Trust & Ketchup: Robert Altman in Carver Country

1993

as Self

6.0
Acting

A documentary insight behind the scenes of Roberts Altman's Short Cuts.

Bram Stoker's Dracula

Bram Stoker's Dracula

1992

as R.M. Renfield

7.4
Acting

In 19th century England, Count Dracula travels to London and meets Mina Harker, a young woman who appears as the reincarnation of his lost love.

Night on Earth

Night on Earth

1991

Original Music Composer, Songs

7.5

An anthology of 5 different cab drivers in 5 American and European cities and their remarkable fares on the same eventful night.

At Play in the Fields of the Lord

At Play in the Fields of the Lord

1991

as Wolf

6.5
Acting

Martin and Hazel Quarrier are small-town fundamentalist missionaries sent to the jungles of South America to convert the Indians. Their remote mission...

The Fisher King

The Fisher King

1991

as Disabled Vet (uncredited)

7.3
Acting

Two troubled men face their terrible destinies and events of their past as they join together on a mission to find the Holy Grail and thus to save the...

Until the End of the World

Until the End of the World

1991

as Singer in Bar

6.8
Acting

In 1999, a woman's life is forever changed after she survives a car crash with two bank robbers, who enlist her help to take the money to a drop in Pa...

Queens Logic

Queens Logic

1991

as Monte

5.8
Acting

When childhood friends Al, Dennis and Eliot get together for Ray's wedding, which may or may not happen, they end up on a roller-coaster ride through ...

Red Hot + Blue: A Tribute to Cole Porter

Red Hot + Blue: A Tribute to Cole Porter

1990

as Self

Acting

This music special is dedicated to dispelling the prejudices associated with the HIV infection and raising money for AIDS research and relief. Some of...

The Two Jakes

The Two Jakes

1990

as Plainclothes Policeman (uncredited)

6.0
Acting

Real estate developer Jake Berman hires private investigator and war veteran Jake Gittes for some run-of-the-mill matrimonial work. After Berman shoot...

The Black Rider

The Black Rider

1990

Original Music Composer

7.7

Inspired by the German folktale, Wilhelm, a file clerk, falls in love with a huntsman's daughter. In order to marry, Wilhelm must prove his worth as a...

John Lurie: A Lounge Lizard Alone

1990

as Zack (Archive footage)

Acting

"Lounge Lizard" John Lurie — actor, performer, and musician — talks about love and life and gives a gentle insight into modern time's hipster attitude...

Bearskin: An Urban Fairytale

Bearskin: An Urban Fairytale

1989

as Silva

7.5
Acting

Johnny Fortune (Damon Lowry) is no good to anyone, not mean, but just no good. Surrounded by violence and dishonesty, Johnny lives with Kate. Johnny m...

La fine della notte

La fine della notte

1989

Songs

6.5
Mystery Train

Mystery Train

1989

as Radio DJ (voice)

7.3
Acting

In Memphis, Tennessee, over the course of a single night, the Arcade Hotel, run by an eccentric night clerk and a clueless bellboy, is visited by a yo...

Cold Feet

Cold Feet

1989

as Kenny

4.0
Acting

Three criminals run into complications when they attempt to smuggle emeralds across the Mexican border.

Őrült és angyal

1989

Music

Big Time

Big Time

1988

as Self

7.3
Acting

Bringing his unique sense of humor to this bizarre and original piece of moviemaking, Tom Waits takes the audience through a musical journey with his ...

Big Time

Big Time

1988

Writer, Original Music Composer, Lighting Design

7.3
Writing

Bringing his unique sense of humor to this bizarre and original piece of moviemaking, Tom Waits takes the audience through a musical journey with his ...

Candy Mountain

Candy Mountain

1988

as Al Silk

5.7
Acting

A mediocre musician goes on the road in search of the world's greatest guitar maker

Greasy Lake

Greasy Lake

1988

as Narrator

4.0
Acting

A short film from a collection of four Greasy Lake is a part of the Discovery Program: Four Short Stories (Ray's Male Heterosexual Dancehall/Greasy La...

Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night

Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night

1988

as Self - Organ/Guitar

7.5
Acting

Recorded live at the Coconut Grove in Los Angeles, Roy is joined by an eclectic ensemble of rock and roll superstars including Jackson Browne, Elvis C...

Ironweed

Ironweed

1987

as Rudy

6.3
Acting

An alcoholic drifter spends Halloween in his hometown of Albany, New York after returning there for the first time in decades.

Temptation

Temptation

1987

Acting

Bromberg’s music video for Tom Waits is characteristically multi-layered and expressive.

Temptation

Temptation

1987

Music

Bromberg’s music video for Tom Waits is characteristically multi-layered and expressive.

Tom Waits - Live at Premio Tenco in Sanremo Italy

Tom Waits - Live at Premio Tenco in Sanremo Italy

1986

as Himself

Acting

Television concert documentary from the San Remo Festival (Club Tenco), Teatro Ariston. San Remo/ Italy. November 22, 1986. With Greg Cohen on upright...

Down by Law

Down by Law

1986

as Zack

7.3
Acting

A disc jockey, a pimp and an Italian tourist escape from jail in New Orleans.

Down by Law

Down by Law

1986

Songs

7.3

A disc jockey, a pimp and an Italian tourist escape from jail in New Orleans.

Tom Waits - Live On The Tube

Tom Waits - Live On The Tube

1985

as Self

Acting

Tom Waits 1985 performance of "16 Shells From A 30.6" and “In the Neighborhood” from the album 'Swordfish Trombones' and "Cemetery Polka" and “Walking...

The Cotton Club

The Cotton Club

1984

as Irving Stark

6.5
Acting

Harlem's legendary Cotton Club becomes a hotbed of passion and violence as the lives and loves of entertainers and gangsters collide.

Streetwise

Streetwise

1984

Music

7.5

This documentary about teenagers living on the streets in Seattle began as a magazine article. The film follows nine teenagers who discuss how they li...

The Stone Boy

The Stone Boy

1984

as Petrified man at carnival (uncredited)

6.8
Acting

12-year-old Arnold Hillerman and his 17-year-old brother Eugene live with their family on a farm in Montana. In an accident, Eugene is killed by Arnol...

Rita Ritter

Rita Ritter

1984

Original Music Composer

A writer tries unsuccessfully to sell his screenplays and plays. He marries a television editor, but she only wants to fuck him and thinks nothing of ...

La première journée de Nicolas

La première journée de Nicolas

1984

Music

Nicolas is a young man just released from jail. He spends his first day of freedom watching and hesitating, in a community care centre, in a hotel roo...

Rumble Fish

Rumble Fish

1983

as Benny

7.0
Acting

Rusty James, an absent-minded street thug, struggles to live up to his legendary older brother's reputation and longs for the days when gang warfare w...

The Outsiders

The Outsiders

1983

as Buck Merrill

7.2
Acting

When two poor Greasers, Johnny and Ponyboy, are assaulted by a vicious gang, the Socs, and Johnny kills one of the attackers, tension begins to mount ...

Poetry in Motion

Poetry in Motion

1982

as Self

7.0
Acting

More than 20 contemporary North American poets recite, sing, and perform their work. Early in the film, Charles Bukowski talks about the energy of poe...

The Making of 'One from the Heart'

The Making of 'One from the Heart'

1982

as Self

8.0
Acting

A short documentary on the Francis Ford Coppola musical One From the Heart.

One from the Heart

One from the Heart

1981

as Trumpet player (uncredited)

6.0
Acting

The five-year romance of a window dresser and her boyfriend breaks up, as each of them finds a more interesting partner.

One from the Heart

One from the Heart

1981

Original Music Composer, Songs

6.0

The five-year romance of a window dresser and her boyfriend breaks up, as each of them finds a more interesting partner.

Wolfen

Wolfen

1981

as Drunken Bar Owner (uncredited)

5.9
Acting

A New York City cop and an expert criminologist trying to solve a series of grisly deaths in which the victims have seemingly been maimed by feral ani...

Tom Waits at Theatre le Palace

Tom Waits at Theatre le Palace

1980

as Self

Acting

Tom Waits performs at Theatre le Palace in Paris, France. It was recorded for French television and broadcast on the program "Palace One" in 1980.

Tom Waits for No One

1979

as Self

5.0
Acting

In this rotoscope animation, Tom Waits sings about "The One That Got Away."

Tom Waits for No One

1979

Music

5.0

In this rotoscope animation, Tom Waits sings about "The One That Got Away."

Paradise Alley

Paradise Alley

1978

as Mumbles

5.8
Acting

Three Italian-American brothers, living in the slums of 1940's New York City, try to help each other with one's wrestling career using one brother's p...

Tom Waits: A Day in Vienna

1978

as Self

7.0
Acting

Short documentary film on the great and powerful Tom Waits, including clips from live performances and interviews.

Tom Waits: Rockpalast '77

Tom Waits: Rockpalast '77

1977

as Self

Acting

Excellent quality recording of Tom Waits, live at WDR Studios, in Koln, Germany on April 18th, 1977. This is early jazz-quartet style Tom Waits as opp...

Tom Waits: Rockpalast '77

Tom Waits: Rockpalast '77

1977

Music

Excellent quality recording of Tom Waits, live at WDR Studios, in Koln, Germany on April 18th, 1977. This is early jazz-quartet style Tom Waits as opp...

Tom Waits - Elephant Beer Blues - Songs After Closing Time

1976

as Self

Acting

June 1976 Denmark DR TV Studios Original Source PAL VHS Recording from a TV show transcripted to DVD. Sange efter Lukketid translates to Songs after ...

Tom Waits - One Star Shining : The First Decade

N/A

as Self

6.5
Acting
Wildwood

Wildwood

N/A

as (voice)

Acting

Set beyond Portland’s city limits, in Wildwood. You’re not supposed to go there. You’re not even supposed to know it exists. But Prue McKeel is about ...

Star.Wav

Star.Wav

N/A

as The Caller

Acting

After prophesying the end of humanity, a reclusive conspiracy theorist receives a troubling call into his radio show.

Wild Horse Nine

Wild Horse Nine

N/A

Acting

Set on a South American island. Plot TBA.