Have you seen ‘That Thing You Do!’ and wondered about the actor behind Guy ‘Skitch’ Patterson? Here are seven cool facts about Tom Everett Scott.
7. He is English and a Little Bit of Scottish, German, and Irish
Born to Cynthia (Pierce) and William Joseph Scott, Tom’s heritage is predominantly English, with a blend of Scottish, German, and Irish roots. His family’s history in America is a long one, including both recent immigrants and ancestors who have lived in the United States since the 1600s.
6. Apart From ‘That Thing You Do!,’ Tom Has a Vast Filmography
While Tom may be best known for his role as drummer Guy Patterson in ‘That Thing You Do!,’ his acting career extends far beyond this film. His filmography includes leading roles in ‘An American Werewolf in Paris’ and appearances in ‘Boiler Room,’ ‘One True Thing,’ ‘Dead Man on Campus,’ ‘The Love Letter,’ ‘Because I Said So,’ ‘Danger One,’ ‘La La Land,’ and ‘Clouds.’
On the small screen, Scott has starred in series like ‘Southland,’ ‘Z Nation,’ ‘ER,’ ‘Beauty & the Beast,’ ‘Scream,’ ‘Reign,’ ’13 Reasons Why,’ and in the truTV sitcom ‘I’m Sorry.’
5. Tom is a Successful Poker Player
Besides acting, Tom is skilled in poker. His most notable achievement in this arena came in 2003 when he participated in the World Poker Tour and became the only celebrity to reach the final table of the event that year, securing a third-place finish.
4. He Met His Wife, Jenni Gallagher, At University
A graduate of Syracuse University, where he majored in drama, Scott met his future wife, Jenni Gallagher, during his college years. The couple got married on December 13, 1997, and have since welcomed two children into their family: Arly, born on June 6, 2000, who has ventured into music with her single ‘Indio Canyon Drive,‘ and Finn, born on October 20, 2004.
3. Steve Zahn From ‘That Thing You Do!’ Was Tom’s Best Man
Steve Zahn, his co-star in the film, was at Scott’s wedding as the best man. The duo also had a shared portrayal of the character Frank Heffley in the ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ film series, with Zahn in the first three films and Scott in the fourth.
2. Tom Hanks Didn’t Want Him in ‘That Thing You Do!’
Interestingly, Tom’s casting in ‘That Thing You Do!’ was initially met with resistance from none other than the film’s director, Tom Hanks. Hanks was hesitant to cast Scott, citing a resemblance to a younger version of himself. However, it was Hanks’ wife, Rita Wilson, who, after viewing Scott’s audition tape, found him a fitting choice for the role. This ultimately altered Hanks’ decision.
1. He is Often Mistaken For Brendan Hines
Scott is often mistaken for another actor, Brendan Hines, known for his role in ‘Lie to Me.’
