Today we’d like to introduce you to Tom Cline.
Hi Tom, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born in Mansfield on 1959 and have lived here my entire life. I am the oldest of four surviving children. My parents lost a son at birth. Both of my parents were born in the Carter and Rowan County area of Kentucky. Attending Mansfield city schools all but my junior year of high school. I enjoyed school and played Baseball, football all the way through and basketball through 10th grade. I did fairly well in school and have many great memories and friends to this day. I took classes with the intention of going to college. I did attend briefly a couple of times a few years out of high school, but my life went another way on the whole. I had landed a good-paying job fairly quickly out of school and ended up spending my work life almost entirely in factory work. The bulk of it for the local General Motors plant. I had almost 27 years there when the plant closed. I am very blessed to have a pension from those years. I suppose the biggest central fact of my life is the two sides of the coin called sobriety. the dividing line between the struggle and insanity of 30 years of chasing the next thrill compared to the last 17 years of sobriety. The difference is night and day to be cliche. from being totally wrapped up in self to doing one’s best day by day to live a life of service to others and being a productive member of society. From thew first day of my new life is where anything inspirational might be found. The adventures and quality of life since then have been peaceful, useful, and many times downright exciting. I have been blessed to mend relationships, achieve goals, amass loys of friends and quality people in my life, and quite frankly have some great adventures.
One of the most enjoyable things in my life today besides family and friends is Minor League Baseball. I’m a season ticket holder to the Akron Rubberducks and plan vacations to visit new stadiums. I can’t recommend enough how fun it is to load up a few cars and enjoy the evening at the ballpark.
I would say that the part of the story that Adam thought worthy would cover the happenings of the last 5 years or so. At the time I thought I might be approaching some type of retirement having worked several jobs after the plant closing. I know longer use the word retirement. as things have worked out, I am now pursuing a new career. I’ll get to that in just a second. My thoughts were at that time to pursue some creative endeavors to keep my mind active. I started with painting classes and writing poetry. I have actually had one poem published thanks to my good friend Dan Denton and his Lunch Bucket Brigade Press. The poem is titled Moppin Blues. The thing that truly started the road I’m on now came from being in the right place at the right time. While walking at the Mansfiled Y I heard another good friend Chris Hahn calling my name. He then asked me if I’d like to be in a movie. I of course said hell yes! That film was Escape From Deathblock 13. That started the events of the last two to three years. I fell in love with the process and excitement of being on set. I immediately sought out live classes which wasn’t easy in the worst of covid. I started at Broadway To LA in Columbus under the tutalage of Ralph Scott. He got me off to a great start. I then Moved briefly to The Houde School in Cleveland. another amazing school turning out highly trained actors who are doing big things. Shortly after that, I found what is the place, I consider my acting home 1st Team Actors Studio also in Cleveland. It is coowned by Angela Boehm and Lauren Nichols. I had landed on my first big Hollywood set doing background for a film called White Noise. While on set I met a lot of good people who just raved about 1st Team. So, I attended a weekend workshop and fell in love with the studio and the people. You can’t ask for a more supportive atmosphere. I am amazed at the progress of the last two years. I am amazed at the size and scope of the movie-making community in the Great State of Ohio. I have now been on 25 movies sets of all sizes and am now booking speaking roles. I have been in three commercials and am on the verge of signing with an agent.
Life is truly good today. I wake up excited each day to see what’s next. Thank you for this amazing opportunity. I hope I’ve given you something to work with.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest struggle of my life has been the long trip through active alcoholism. I was on a treadmill going nowhere fast for a long time. The early years were not too tragic and there were seemingly good times. The last 15 years of it though were just dull and completely unsatisfying. Watching life pass by and feeling helpless to change my path. Ruining relationships and my health along the way.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I see myself as a character actor, Detective, Dr, Blue Collar, Grandpa. I am absolutely proud of the fact that I am pushing through the doubts and what-ifs to really give this my all. It was a bit daunting to decide at the age of 61 to say I want to be an actor. It has been an amazing trip so far. A cool fact is that I’ve been on set with 4 Oscars winners and I signed with an agent, The Talent Group based in the Pittsburgh/Cleveland area.
What do you think about luck?
I no longer really believe in luck. In the past, I would certainly curse what I saw as “bad Luck”. Today I believe that everything happens as it should. Everything hinges on my reaction and my actions at each turn life take.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/tom.cline.37
Image Credits
Sharon Vetalice Photography
