Actor. He is probably best remembered for his role as 'Richard Sherman' in Broadway's "The Seven Year Itch" (1952 to 1954), for which he won a Tony Award (1953), and its film version in 1955 that featured Marilyn Monroe. Born Samuel Yewell Tompkins, he became interested in acting at a young age and appeared in summer stock in 1928. In 1931 he moved to New York City, New York and attended the Actors Studio, making his first Broadway debut in 1934 and his first appearance in an uncredited role in "They Knew What They Wanted" (1940). During World War II he served in the US Navy and after the war, he played a notable role as 'Warren Attlinger' in "Adam's Rib" (1949) that featured Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. He received a Golden Globe Award for his appearance in "The Seven Year Itch" and the scene of him admiring Marilyn Monroe as she stood over a subway grate with her skirt blowing upwards became one of the greatest iconic moments in the history of movies. His other films include "A Life of Her Own" (1950), "American Guerrilla in the Philippines" (1950), "Up Front" (1951), "Back at the Front" (1952), "The Lieutenant Wore Skirts" (1956), "The Girl Can't Help It" (1956), "Tender is the Night" (1962), and the musical "State Fair" (1962). From 1960 until 1961 he starred in his own situational CBS television comedy "The Tom Ewell Show". His television credits include the ABC detective series "Baretta" (1975 to 1978) that featured Robert Blake, in which he had a recurring role as the retired police officer 'Billy Truman', "Wagon Train," "Alias Smith and Jones," "Taxi," "Best of the West," "Trapper John, M.D.," and "Murder, She Wrote." He died at the age of 85.
Actor. He is probably best remembered for his role as 'Richard Sherman' in Broadway's "The Seven Year Itch" (1952 to 1954), for which he won a Tony Award (1953), and its film version in 1955 that featured Marilyn Monroe. Born Samuel Yewell Tompkins, he became interested in acting at a young age and appeared in summer stock in 1928. In 1931 he moved to New York City, New York and attended the Actors Studio, making his first Broadway debut in 1934 and his first appearance in an uncredited role in "They Knew What They Wanted" (1940). During World War II he served in the US Navy and after the war, he played a notable role as 'Warren Attlinger' in "Adam's Rib" (1949) that featured Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. He received a Golden Globe Award for his appearance in "The Seven Year Itch" and the scene of him admiring Marilyn Monroe as she stood over a subway grate with her skirt blowing upwards became one of the greatest iconic moments in the history of movies. His other films include "A Life of Her Own" (1950), "American Guerrilla in the Philippines" (1950), "Up Front" (1951), "Back at the Front" (1952), "The Lieutenant Wore Skirts" (1956), "The Girl Can't Help It" (1956), "Tender is the Night" (1962), and the musical "State Fair" (1962). From 1960 until 1961 he starred in his own situational CBS television comedy "The Tom Ewell Show". His television credits include the ABC detective series "Baretta" (1975 to 1978) that featured Robert Blake, in which he had a recurring role as the retired police officer 'Billy Truman', "Wagon Train," "Alias Smith and Jones," "Taxi," "Best of the West," "Trapper John, M.D.," and "Murder, She Wrote." He died at the age of 85.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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