Most Famous Toms in the World

Plenty of major stars share the name Tom, spanning film, television, and music. This list gathers widely recognized actors, musicians, and filmmakers named Tom and highlights the work that made them known around the world. You’ll find headliners from blockbuster franchises, award-winning directors, and chart-topping performers whose names regularly appear across screens and stages.

Each entry includes quick, useful context about what they do and what they are best known for, from acclaimed roles and notable projects to awards and industry milestones. Titles of movies and TV shows appear in single quotes throughout so you can scan for the work you know at a glance.

Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks built a decades-long film career with acclaimed performances in ‘Forrest Gump’, ‘Saving Private Ryan’, ‘Cast Away’, and the ‘Toy Story’ series as the voice of Woody. He has won two Academy Awards for Best Actor and is frequently cited for work that spans drama, comedy, and voice acting.

Beyond acting, Hanks has produced projects such as the miniseries ‘Band of Brothers’ and directed ‘That Thing You Do!’. He is also known for collaborations with directors including Steven Spielberg and Ron Howard across multiple films.

Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise is one of the world’s highest-grossing leading men, headlining ‘Top Gun’, the ‘Mission: Impossible’ franchise, ‘Jerry Maguire’, and ‘Collateral’. His films have collectively earned billions globally, with multiple entries recognized for large-scale practical stunts and action sequences.

Cruise also serves as a producer on many of his projects, especially within ‘Mission: Impossible’. He has earned multiple Golden Globes and has been nominated for Academy Awards for roles in both drama and action-oriented films.

Tom Holland

Tom Holland is widely known for portraying Peter Parker in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, appearing in ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’, ‘Spider-Man: Far From Home’, and ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’, as well as ensemble films like ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ and ‘Avengers: Endgame’. He has also led films such as ‘Uncharted’ and ‘The Devil All the Time’.

Holland performs much of his own physical work on set and has expanded into producing and voice roles, including projects outside superhero films. He first gained wide attention on screen in ‘The Impossible’ and has continued to add dramatic parts alongside franchise titles.

Tom Hardy

Tom Hardy has starred in major releases including ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’, ‘Inception’, ‘The Dark Knight Rises’, and the ‘Venom’ films. On television, he co-created and starred in ‘Taboo’ and appeared in ‘Peaky Blinders’.

Hardy is known for physically immersive roles and character work across genres. His filmography also includes ‘Legend’, in which he played twin gangster brothers, and ensemble projects with directors such as Christopher Nolan and Alejandro G. Iñárritu.

Tom Hiddleston

Tom Hiddleston’s breakout came as Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, leading the Disney+ series ‘Loki’ and appearing in ‘Thor’ films and ‘The Avengers’. He earned a Golden Globe for his performance in the limited series ‘The Night Manager’.

Hiddleston has balanced screen work with stage productions and additional TV projects. His film roles include ‘Kong: Skull Island’, ‘Only Lovers Left Alive’, and ‘War Horse’, alongside voice roles and narration work.

Tom Jones

Tom Jones is a Welsh singer who rose to international fame with a string of hit singles and high-energy live performances. He has maintained a lengthy Las Vegas residency across his career and received honors including a Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music and a knighthood.

On television, Jones served as a coach on ‘The Voice UK’, introducing his catalog to new audiences. His recordings span pop, soul, and R&B, and he has collaborated with artists across multiple generations.

Tom Petty

Tom Petty led Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and was also a member of the Traveling Wilburys. His songs remain staples of rock radio and concert setlists, with multiple platinum albums and extensive touring.

Petty’s work is archived and celebrated through posthumous releases, documentaries, and tribute concerts. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Heartbreakers and remains a reference point for American rock songwriting.

Tom Waits

Tom Waits is a critically acclaimed singer-songwriter known for a gravelly vocal style and theatrical compositions. His albums have influenced generations of musicians and are frequently cited for their storytelling and sound design.

Waits has acted in films such as ‘Down by Law’, ‘Bram Stoker’s Dracula’, ‘The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus’, and ‘The Ballad of Buster Scruggs’. He has also contributed songs and score elements to film and stage productions.

Tom Morello

Tom Morello is the guitarist for ‘Rage Against the Machine’ and co-founded ‘Audioslave’. He is recognized for innovative guitar techniques that emulate turntable and synth effects using pedals and hardware.

Morello has released solo projects and toured under the moniker The Nightwatchman. He has collaborated with artists across rock, hip-hop, and electronic music and contributed to soundtracks and live performance events worldwide.

Tom DeLonge

Tom DeLonge co-founded ‘Blink-182’ and later formed ‘Angels & Airwaves’, contributing as a vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter. His work has shaped mainstream pop-punk and alternative rock with multi-platinum releases and international tours.

Beyond music, DeLonge has written books and directed the feature film ‘Monsters of California’. He also co-founded a media and research company focused on aerospace and related topics, expanding his creative output beyond recording and touring.

Tom Ford

Tom Ford is a fashion designer and filmmaker who served as creative director at major fashion houses before launching his namesake brand. He transitioned to directing with ‘A Single Man’, adapting and producing the project to critical acclaim.

Ford followed with ‘Nocturnal Animals’, which received multiple award nominations across acting, writing, and technical categories. He has remained active in both fashion and film, overseeing brand expansion while developing cinematic projects.

Tom Hooper

Tom Hooper is a film and television director known for ‘The King’s Speech’, ‘Les Misérables’, ‘The Danish Girl’, and ‘Cats’. His work has been recognized with top industry awards, including Best Director and Best Picture honors for ‘The King’s Speech’.

Hooper began in television, directing notable British series and biographical dramas before moving into large-scale films. His projects often involve period settings and musical elements, requiring coordination across production design, music, and ensemble casts.

Tom McCarthy

Tom McCarthy is a filmmaker and screenwriter whose credits include ‘Spotlight’, ‘The Station Agent’, ‘Win Win’, and ‘Stillwater’. ‘Spotlight’ received the Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay.

McCarthy also co-wrote the animated film ‘Up’. He has directed television episodes and developed limited series, expanding his work across formats alongside feature films.

Tom Tykwer

Tom Tykwer is a German director known internationally for ‘Run Lola Run’, ‘Perfume: The Story of a Murderer’, and ‘Cloud Atlas’ (co-directed). His films are noted for kinetic editing, original scores, and cross-genre storytelling.

Tykwer co-created and scored the series ‘Babylon Berlin’, which became one of Europe’s most ambitious television productions. He frequently composes music for his own projects through his long-running collaboration with Reinhold Heil and Johnny Klimek.

Tom Selleck

Tom Selleck achieved television stardom as Thomas Magnum in ‘Magnum, P.I.’ and later led the long-running police drama ‘Blue Bloods’. His film credits include ‘Three Men and a Baby’, with additional appearances across comedies and dramas.

Selleck has made notable guest appearances on series such as ‘Friends’. He has also served as a producer and has been recognized with awards for television acting and contributions to the medium.

Share your favorites and the Toms you think should be added in the comments!