Tom Nardini

Tom Nardini (Born April 16, 1945) is an American film and television actor. Nardini is known for his roles in Cat Ballou (1965), Cowboy in Africa (1967) and Self Defense (1983).

Born in Los Angeles, California, in 1945 as Thomas Nardini, he was the son of Joseph and Chechi Nardini. Tom's father worked as an aircraft worker after having a career as a jazz musician and his mother worked in vaudeville as a comedian, dancer, and singer. He attended Morningside High School in Inglewood, CA, graduating in 1963. Nardini furthered his education by attending El Camino Junior College in Torrance, CA where he studied theater and joined a Shakespearean group.

Tom met an agent named Lester Miller, who was able to get him an interview to audition for Mr. Novak. This led to one of Tom's first roles appearing in three episodes of Novak as Abel King from 1964 to 1965. This allowed Tom to land other roles as guest leads on other television shows such as The Lieutenant and My Three Sons. Nardini was then cast for his most notable role in the television series Cowboy in Africa, where he played the character, John Henry.

Tom then signed a seven-year contract with Columbia studios, which produced his film debut Cat Ballou in 1965. Nardini was cast as Jackson Two Bears, a bronc rider, and was nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance.

In the films Cat Ballou and Africa: Texas Style, Nardini played a Native American character, which presented the risk of being typecast as a Native American in all his roles.

Tom had other work going on in 1966. Tom was co-starring in a pilot about a WW2-era based novel written by James Jones called, "From Here to Eternity". "From Here to Eternity" was a drama series that never sold as a pilot.

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