Tobin Bell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tobin Bell
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Bell in 2019
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| Born |
Joseph Henry Tobin Jr.
August 7, 1942 Queens, New York, U.S.
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| Other names | Joseph Tobin |
| Alma mater | Boston University Montclair State University |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1979-present |
| Known for | Saw franchise |
| Children | 2 |
Tobin Bell (born Joseph Henry Tobin Jr.; August 7, 1942) is an American actor. He has been acting for over five decades and has appeared in more than 100 movies and TV shows. He is best known for playing the character John Kramer, also known as Jigsaw, in the popular Saw horror movie series.
Tobin Bell began his acting journey in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He often worked as a background actor or a stand-in for other actors. His first movie role was in Mississippi Burning (1988). Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Bell appeared in many supporting roles in films and television. Some of these included The Firm (1993), Unabomber: The True Story (1996), Walker, Texas Ranger (1998), The Sopranos (2001), and 24 (2003).
His most famous role came in 2004 when he was chosen to play Jigsaw in the movie Saw. This film was a huge success, and Bell continued to play the character in eight more movies in the series. The Saw series has become one of the most successful horror movie franchises ever, and Tobin Bell is now recognized as a famous actor in the horror genre.
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Early Life and Learning
Joseph Henry Tobin Jr. was born on August 7, 1942, in Queens, New York. He grew up in Weymouth, Massachusetts. His mother, Eileen Julia Tobin, was an actress. His father, Joseph H. Tobin, started a radio station called WJDA in Quincy, Massachusetts. Tobin Bell has one sister and one brother.
When he went to college, Bell studied liberal arts and journalism. He originally wanted to be a writer or work in broadcasting. He also cares about the environment and has a master's degree in environmental science from Montclair State University. He even worked for the New York Botanical Garden. Bell decided to become an actor after hearing a talk by famous actors Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy at Boston University. He later trained at the Actors Studio and the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre.
Acting Career Highlights
Early Roles and TV Appearances (1979–2003)
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Tobin Bell appeared in over 30 movies as a background actor. He also performed in plays in New York City. He believed that even small roles were good opportunities to learn. For example, he had a small, uncredited scene as a waiter in the 1982 film Tootsie. He also spent two weeks working on The Verdict (1982), where he learned a lot by watching famous director Sidney Lumet and actor Paul Newman.
Bell keeps a journal for every role he plays. He writes down questions and ideas about his character to help him understand them better. His first speaking role was in the 1983 film Svengali, where he played a waiter with three lines. In the mid-1980s, he was advised to move to Hollywood and try playing "bad guys." He took that advice and got his first main movie role in Mississippi Burning (1988) as an FBI agent.
In 1993, Bell appeared in The Firm as an assassin and in In the Line of Fire. He also had guest roles in popular TV shows like Seinfeld, NYPD Blue, ER, and Chicago Hope. In 1996, he played Ted Kaczynski in the TV movie Unabomber: The True Story. He continued to appear in many TV series, including Stargate SG-1, Walker, Texas Ranger, The Sopranos, and 24.
Becoming Jigsaw in Saw (2004–2010)
Tobin Bell's career changed dramatically in 2004 when he was cast as John Kramer, also known as Jigsaw, in the horror film Saw. In the movie, John Kramer is a former engineer who creates complex "games" for people. He wants them to learn to value their lives. The first Saw movie was made quickly and on a small budget, but it became a huge success. Bell joined the film because he wanted to work with actor Danny Glover and he liked the movie's ending.
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Because the first movie was so popular, six more Saw movies were released every October from 2005 to 2010. Bell returned for Saw II (2005) to further develop the character of John Kramer. Even though his character was killed off in Saw III (2006), he continued to appear in later films like Saw IV, Saw V, Saw VI, and Saw 3D. In these movies, Jigsaw appeared in flashbacks, showing parts of his past and how he became the character he is. Bell also provided the voice and likeness for Jigsaw in the Saw video games released in 2009 and 2010.
For his role as Jigsaw, Tobin Bell received several awards and nominations. The Saw franchise has earned over $1 billion worldwide, making it one of the most successful horror movie series ever. Jigsaw has become a well-known character in horror movies.
Recent Work and Return to Saw (2014–Present)
After the initial Saw series, Tobin Bell continued to act in various films and TV shows. In 2014, he played a character named Seth in the horror film Dark House. He also appeared in an episode of Criminal Minds and the comedy Manson Family Vacation.
In 2016, Bell joined the soap opera Days of Our Lives for a few episodes. From 2016 to 2017, he lent his voice to the villains Doctor Alchemy and Savitar in the TV series The Flash. He returned to voice Savitar in the show's final season in 2023.
In October 2017, seven years after Saw 3D was released, Tobin Bell returned as Jigsaw in the movie Jigsaw. This film also did well at the box office. He also appeared in other horror films released around that time, such as The Sandman and Belzebuth.
In 2019, Bell guest-starred in an episode of Creepshow. In 2021, he played Dr. Lasher in a fictional podcast series called The Gloom. In March 2023, he appeared in the psychological thriller ReBroken. Most recently, Bell played John Kramer again in Saw X, which was released in September 2023. His performance in Saw X was highly praised by critics, and he received nominations for "Best Actor in a Horror Movie" and "Best Lead Performance." Tobin Bell is expected to play Jigsaw once more in Saw XI.
Personal Life
Tobin Bell has two sons. He has coached Little League Baseball and flag football teams. In his free time, he enjoys hiking and playing the guitar.
See also
In Spanish: Tobin Bell para niños
