Tom Waits facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tom Waits
Waits c. 1974–75.
Born	Thomas Alan Waits (1949-12-07) December 7, 1949 (age 75) Pomona, California, U.S.
Occupation	Musician composer songwriter actor
Years active	1969–present
Spouse(s)	Kathleen Brennan ​ (m. 1980)​
Children	3
Musical career
Genres	Experimental rock blues jazz
Instruments	Vocals guitar piano harmonium
Labels	Asylum Island ANTI-

Thomas Alan Waits (born December 7, 1949) is an American musician, composer, songwriter, and actor. He is known for his unique, deep, and gravelly voice. His songs often tell stories about interesting characters and life in the city.

Tom Waits started his career in the folk scene in the 1970s. Over time, his music has been influenced by many different styles. These include rock, Delta blues, opera, vaudeville, cabaret, funk, hip hop, and even experimental sounds. Many people consider his songwriting to be among the best in pop music today. He creates characters who, even when confused or sad, offer surprising insights. His music is truly one-of-a-kind.

Tom Waits was born and grew up in a middle-class family in Pomona, California. He was inspired by artists like Bob Dylan and the Beat Generation. He began singing in folk clubs in San Diego. In 1972, he moved to Los Angeles and started working as a songwriter. He soon signed a record deal with Asylum Records.

His early albums, like Closing Time (1973) and The Heart of Saturday Night (1974), had a jazzy sound. They explored themes of city life and its characters. He toured a lot in the U.S., Europe, and Japan. He became more successful with albums like Small Change (1976) and Blue Valentine (1978). During this time, Waits also started acting in films. He met Kathleen Brennan while working on the movie Paradise Alley (1978).

In 1980, Waits married Kathleen Brennan. With her encouragement, he started making more experimental music. This new sound was influenced by artists like Harry Partch and Captain Beefheart. Albums like Swordfishtrombones (1983), Rain Dogs (1985), and Franks Wild Years (1987) show this change. Waits also starred in films like Down by Law (1986) by Jim Jarmusch. He also wrote music for movies and collaborated on stage shows.

His albums Bone Machine (1992) and Mule Variations (1999) won Grammys. In 2002, he released two albums, Alice and Blood Money, which featured songs from stage plays he worked on. He continued to release new music, including Real Gone (2004) and Bad as Me (2011).

Tom Waits has influenced many other artists. His songs have been covered by famous musicians like Bruce Springsteen and Rod Stewart. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011. Neil Young introduced him, calling him "indescribable" and a "magician." When accepting the award, Waits joked, "They say that I have no hits and that I'm difficult to work with. And they say that like it's a bad thing!"

Discovering Tom Waits' Life Story

Early Life and Growing Up: 1949–1968

Waits as a high-school senior at Hilltop High School in 1967. He dropped out at the age of 18.

Thomas Alan Waits was born on December 7, 1949, in Whittier, California. He has two sisters. His father, Jesse Frank Waits, was from Texas, and his mother, Alma Fern, was from Oregon. His father taught Spanish. Waits described his childhood as "very middle-class" and "pretty normal." He learned to play the bugle and guitar in elementary school. His father also taught him the ukulele.

During summers, he visited relatives in Gridley and Marysville. He later said that his uncle's raspy voice inspired his own singing style. In 1959, his parents separated, and his mother moved with the children to Chula Vista, near San Diego. Waits attended O'Farrell Community School and had a school band called the Systems. He loved R&B and soul singers like Ray Charles. Bob Dylan also became a big influence on him.

Waits recalled seeing Lightnin' Hopkins perform when he was fifteen. He was amazed by the show. He also saw James Brown in 1962, which he described as an incredible experience. By the time he was at Hilltop High School, he was interested in "malicious mischief." He was inspired by the 1950s Beat generation writers like Jack Kerouac. In 1968, at age 18, he left high school.

He worked at a pizza restaurant and a diner, where he listened to people's conversations. He also worked as a fireman for the forestry service and served in the Coast Guard. He studied photography at Southwestern Community College. He continued to pursue music, taking piano lessons. He started playing in San Diego's folk music scene.

Starting His Music Career: 1969–1976

Waits in an early publicity photo for Asylum Records, 1973

The Troubadour in West Hollywood, where Waits's performances brought him to the attention of Herb Cohen and David Geffen

In 1969, Tom Waits became a doorman at the Heritage coffeehouse, which featured folk musicians. He also started singing there, performing covers of songs by Bob Dylan. Eventually, he began to sing his own songs, including "Ol' 55". As his fame grew, he played at other venues in San Diego. He also traveled to Los Angeles to perform at the Troubadour.

In 1971, at the Troubadour, Waits was noticed by Herb Cohen, who signed him to a recording contract. Waits quit his pizza job to focus on music. In 1972, he moved to an apartment in Silver Lake. He continued performing at the Troubadour and met David Geffen, who gave him a record deal with Asylum Records.

His first album, Closing Time, was released in March 1973. It was more folk-oriented, though Waits wanted a jazz album. The album didn't get much attention at first. However, the Eagles later recorded "Ol' 55," which brought Waits more recognition and money.

To promote his album, Waits toured the U.S., opening for bigger artists. He felt discouraged about his career at times. He also performed as a support act for Frank Zappa's the Mothers of Invention, but the audiences were often unfriendly.

Waits met Bette Midler (pictured here in 1981) and collaborated with her on the song "I Never Talk to Strangers"

In early 1974, Waits continued to perform. For his second album, The Heart of Saturday Night, David Geffen wanted a more jazz-focused sound. The album was recorded in Hollywood. Waits thought of it as a collection of songs about U.S. nightlife. This album received more reviews than his first.

After recording, Waits toured with Zappa again, facing more audience hostility. However, this helped his image in the music industry. In October 1974, he became a headline act. In New York City, he met and became friends with singer Bette Midler. Cohen then suggested Waits record a live album. He performed two shows at the Record Plant Studio, creating a jazz club atmosphere. This became Nighthawks at the Diner, released in October 1975. The album cover was inspired by Edward Hopper's painting Nighthawks.

He toured the U.S. and Europe in 1976. When he returned to Los Angeles, he moved into the Tropicana motel. He told the Los Angeles Times that he tried to "create situations in order to write about them."

Growing Success: 1976–1980

In July 1976, Waits recorded Small Change. He felt this album was a key moment in his songwriting. It was well-received by critics and was his first album to reach the Billboard Top 100 Album List. Small Change showed Waits as a "master storyteller," influenced by crime writers. It featured beautiful piano songs and energetic spoken-word pieces. He gained more press attention and started to build a cult following. He toured to promote the album, including his first tour of Japan in 1977.

In 1977, Waits began a relationship with singer-songwriter Rickie Lee Jones (pictured here in 2008); their work and styles influenced each other

In May 1977, Waits and his friend Chuck E. Weiss had a legal issue with police officers. They were found not guilty. Waits then sued the Los Angeles Police Department and was awarded $7,500 in damages five years later.

In July and August 1977, he recorded his fourth studio album, Foreign Affairs. It included "I Never Talk to Strangers," a duet with Bette Midler. Foreign Affairs was not as popular with critics as Small Change. That year, he began a relationship with singer-songwriter Rickie Lee Jones. Their music and styles influenced each other. In March 1978, he toured Japan again.

Waits wanted to expand his career beyond music. He became friends with actor and director Sylvester Stallone. He made his first movie appearance as a small part in Stallone's Paradise Alley (1978). He also started writing a movie musical, but it was never finished.

New Sounds and New Beginnings: 1978–1980

Publicity photo of Waits taken by Greg Gorman, c. 1979–80

In July 1978, Waits began recording Blue Valentine. He changed musicians during the sessions to create a less jazz-focused sound. For this album, he used an electric guitar as his main instrument instead of the piano. His first single from the album, "Somewhere" from West Side Story, did not chart. For his Blue Valentine tour, Waits put together a new band. He also had a gas station set built for his performances.

Waits was not happy with his record label, Elektra-Asylum. He felt they were more interested in their bigger artists. Rickie Lee Jones's music career was taking off, which put a strain on their relationship. Waits ended their relationship. In September, Waits decided to move to New York City. He initially lived in the Chelsea Hotel. He told a reporter he "just needed a new urban landscape."

Francis Ford Coppola (pictured in 1976) convinced Waits to leave New York and return to Los Angeles to score his film One from the Heart

Francis Ford Coppola asked Waits to return to Los Angeles to write music for his film, One from the Heart. Waits was excited but also felt it was a "step backwards" artistically because Coppola wanted music similar to his older style. He returned to Los Angeles to work on the soundtrack. Waits was nominated for an Academy Award for Original Music Score in 1982 for this work.

Waits still owed Elektra-Asylum one more album. He took a break from Coppola's project to record Heartattack and Vine, released in September 1980. This album was more guitar-based and had a harder, R&B sound. It reached number 96 on the Top 100 Album Chart. One of its songs, "Jersey Girl," was later recorded by Bruce Springsteen. Waits was happy about this, both for the money and because he felt respected by a songwriter he admired. While working on One from the Heart, Waits met Kathleen Brennan, who was an assistant story editor.

New Directions and Family Life: 1980–1988

Waits described meeting Brennan as "love at first sight." They got engaged within a week and married in August 1980. They moved into an apartment in Los Angeles. Waits said Brennan brought him "a sense of emotional security." He also said, "She's the one who's steering the ship."

Recording for the One from the Heart soundtrack continued until September 1981. The film was released in 1982 and received mostly poor reviews. Waits made a small appearance in the film. His soundtrack album was released by Columbia Records.

In New York City, Waits shared a workspace with jazz musician John Lurie (pictured in 2013)

After his contract with Elektra-Asylum ended, Waits decided to change his musical style. He wanted to move away from his old producer. With Brennan's help, he also decided to manage his own career. Brennan introduced him to new music, especially Captain Beefheart and Harry Partch, who made instruments from everyday materials. Waits started using images and sounds as inspiration for his songs.

Waits wrote the songs for Swordfishtrombones during a trip to Ireland. He produced the album himself. Swordfishtrombones moved away from his jazz sound, using instruments like marimba instead of saxophone. When he finished the album, Asylum Records refused to release it. Chris Blackwell of Island Records heard about Waits's album and offered to release it. Island Records was known for signing more experimental artists. Waits did not tour for this album because Brennan was pregnant. The album cover featured Waits with a circus strongman and a dwarf.

Critics praised Swordfishtrombones, calling it a "breakthrough" where Waits found music as unique as his words. It was named one of the best albums of the year by NME.

In 1983, Waits appeared in three more Coppola films: Rumble Fish, The Outsiders, and The Cotton Club. In September, Brennan gave birth to their daughter, Kellesimone. Waits wanted to keep his family life private. He moved his family to New York City to be closer to Brennan's parents. He found New York City inspiring and met many new musicians and artists. He became friends with John Lurie and shared a music studio. He also met filmmaker Jim Jarmusch.

More Music and Movies: 1985–1988

Waits appeared in several films by Jim Jarmusch (pictured in 2013)

In the mid-1980s, Kurt Weill became an important influence on Waits's music. Waits became interested in Weill's unique style of musical theater. Waits also created the soundtrack for the documentary Streetwise, about homeless youth.

Rain Dogs was recorded in 1985. Waits described the music as a mix of "Appalachia and Nigeria." Keith Richards from The Rolling Stones played on several songs. Filmmaker Jean-Baptiste Mondino directed a music video for "Downtown Train." This song was later covered by Rod Stewart and became a top five hit. In 1985, Rolling Stone named Waits its "Songwriter of the Year." NME called Rain Dogs the best album of the year.

In September 1985, his son Casey was born. Waits toured Europe and the U.S. He changed his setlist for each show. He then traveled to New Orleans to act in Jim Jarmusch's film Down by Law. Waits and John Lurie played two of the main roles. Jarmusch said, "Tom and I have a kindred aesthetic. An interest in unambitious people, marginal people."

Waits created a musical called Franks Wild Years, based on a song from Swordfishtrombones. The songs from the show were recorded for his ninth studio album, Franks Wild Years, released in 1987. NME ranked it among the top albums of the year. After its release, Waits toured North America and Europe. This was his last big tour for two decades.

Waits continued to work with other artists. He was a fan of The Pogues and spent time with them. He also appeared as a host on some dates of Elvis Costello's tour.

In 1986, he had a small part in Candy Mountain. He also co-starred in Ironweed, which helped him become known as a character actor in Hollywood. In Fall 1987, Waits and his family moved back to Los Angeles. He appeared in films like Cold Feet and lent his voice to Jarmusch's Mystery Train.

Although Waits had done a voice-over for a dog food commercial in 1981, he was against musicians letting companies use their songs in advertising. In 1988, he sued Frito-Lay for using someone who sounded like him singing "Step Right Up" in a Doritos advertisement. Waits won the case in 1992 and received a large settlement. This showed that he and Brennan were determined to protect his work.

New Projects and Awards: 1989–2003

Waits collaborated with Robert Wilson (left) and William S. Burroughs (right) on The Black Rider

In 1989, Waits started working with theater director Robert Wilson on a "cowboy opera" called The Black Rider. It was based on an old German folk tale. Waits wrote the music, and William S. Burroughs wrote the lyrics. The Black Rider first opened in Hamburg, Germany, in March 1990. It later toured internationally.

Waits continued to act in films. He played a puppeteer in Bearskin: An Urban Fairytale (1989). He also appeared in The Two Jakes (1990) and The Fisher King (1991). He played Renfield in Coppola's Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992). Waits starred as a limousine driver in Robert Altman's Short Cuts (1993), which many consider his best acting role.

In 1991, Waits and his family moved to Sonoma. Also in 1991, some of Waits's early recordings from 1971 were released without his permission. Waits was upset, calling them "baby pictures" he didn't want released. In April 1992, Waits released the soundtrack album for Jarmusch's film Night on Earth.

The Thalia in Hamburg, where The Black Rider and Alice were first performed

In August 1992, Waits released his tenth studio album, Bone Machine. He wanted to explore "more machinery sounds" with the album, showing his interest in industrial music. It was recorded in an old storage room. Eight of the songs were co-written with Brennan. Bone Machine won a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album.

Waits decided to record an album of the songs from The Black Rider, which was released in 1993. Waits and Wilson then worked together again on a play about Lewis Carroll and Alice Liddell, who inspired Alice in Wonderland. Alice premiered in Hamburg in December 1992. Waits described the songs he wrote for the play as "adult songs for children, or children's songs for adults."

In early 1993, Brennan was pregnant with their third child, Sullivan. Waits decided to work less to spend more time with his children. He turned down offers to perform or appear in movies for three years. However, he made some guest appearances on albums by other musicians. He also contributed two songs to the soundtrack of the film Dead Man Walking (1996). In 1998, Island Records released Beautiful Maladies, a collection of 23 of his songs.

New Record Label and More Success: 1999–2003

In 1999, Waits performed at the Paramount Theater in Austin, Texas

After his contract with Island Records ended, Waits signed with a smaller label called Anti-. He described it as "a friendly place." The president of Anti- was very excited to have him.

In March 1999, Anti- released his album Mule Variations. Waits had been recording the songs since June 1998. The songs often explored themes of rural life in the United States. Mule Variations reached number 30 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, which was his highest showing at the time. The album was well-received and won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album.

In March 1999, Waits gave his first live show in three years at the Paramount Theater in Austin, Texas. He later appeared on VH1 Storytellers. He also toured for Mule Variations. In October, he performed at Neil Young's annual Bridge School Benefit concert. That year, he appeared in the comic book movie Mystery Men.

In 2000, Waits began writing songs for Wilson's play Woyzeck. He liked the play because it was "about a poor soldier who is manipulated by the government." He decided to record the songs he had written for both Alice and Woyzeck on separate albums. These two albums, Alice and Blood Money, were released at the same time in May 2002. Alice entered the U.S. album chart at number 32 and Blood Money at number 33, his highest charting positions then.

In May 2001, Waits received a Founders Award at the ASCAP Pop Music Awards. That same month, he joined other singers in a lawsuit against mp3.com for copyright infringement. In September 2002, he spoke at a hearing about accounting practices in the music industry. He said that record companies were like "cartels."

In September 2003, Waits performed at a fundraiser in New York City. He also appeared in Jarmusch's film Coffee and Cigarettes (2003), having a conversation with Iggy Pop.

Later Works and Recognition: 2004–Present

Tom Waits performing in Prague in 2008 as part of his Glitter and Doom tour

In 2004, Waits released his fifteenth studio album, Real Gone. He recorded it in an old schoolhouse. The album included Waits using beatboxing, a technique he learned from hip hop. It was also his most political album, with songs expressing his feelings about the presidency of George W. Bush and the Iraq War. Real Gone received mostly positive reviews and reached the Top 30 on the Billboard chart.

After several years without film appearances, he played a character in Domino (2005). Later that year, he appeared in the film The Tiger and the Snow. In 2006, Waits toured the southern and Midwest states. His son Casey played in his band. In 2006, he released Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & B**s, a three-disc collection of rare and unreleased songs. Waits described them as "songs that fell behind the stove while making dinner." Orphans reached the top ten in several European charts.

Waits next to Lily Cole at the premiere for The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival

In 2008, Waits began his Glitter and Doom Tour in the U.S. and Europe. Both of his sons played with him. In June, he received the key to the city in El Paso, Texas. In 2009, he released the live album Glitter and Doom Live. He continued acting, playing Mr. Nick in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009) and Engineer in The Book of Eli (2010).

Waits faced a situation similar to his Frito-Lay lawsuit in 2000. Audi asked to use his song "Innocent When You Dream" for a commercial in Spain, but Waits declined. The commercial still used music very similar to his song. Waits took legal action and won, showing his strong belief in protecting artists' rights. In 2005, he sued Adam Opel AG for hiring a sound-alike singer after he refused to sing in their commercials. The suit was settled in 2007, and Waits gave the money to charity.

In 2010, Waits was reported to be working on a new stage musical. In early 2011, he completed 23 poems called Seeds on Hard Ground, inspired by portraits of homeless people. Limited edition books of the poems were sold to raise money for a food bank, raising $90,000. On February 24, 2011, it was announced that he was working on a new studio album. The album, Bad as Me, was released on October 24.

In March 2011, Waits was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Neil Young. In his speech, Waits thanked his family, saying his wife had "guided me and kept me alive" and his kids "taught me everything I know."

In 2013, he lent his voice to The Simpsons episode "Homer Goes to Prep School". On May 5, 2013, he joined the Rolling Stones on stage to sing "Little Red Rooster" with Mick Jagger. He also performed at the Bridge School Benefit concert in October 2013.

Waits made six appearances on the Late Show with David Letterman. In 2016, Waits pursued legal action against a French artist who used his songs in a theatrical performance without permission. The court ruled in the artist's favor, but the performance was not shown outside France.

In 2018, Waits had a role in The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, a Western film by the Coen brothers. He also provided narration for a play in London. In 2021, Waits had a supporting role in the film Licorice Pizza. In 2023, he joined Iggy Pop on the Confidential Show to share stories and songs.

Tom Waits' Musical Style

Waits often kept quiet about how he wrote songs. His work was influenced by his extensive reading and by conversations he overheard in diners. He was influenced by writers like Jack Kerouac and Charles Bukowski. Musical influences include Randy Newman and Dr. John. He has praised Merle Haggard, saying, "Want to learn how to write songs? Listen to Merle Haggard." He also loves opera.

Waits described his voice as being "the sand in the sandwich." By 1982, his musical style changed. This new style was influenced by Captain Beefheart and Harry Partch. Critics have described Waits's voice as sounding "like it was soaked in a vat of bourbon" or like a "rusted plow-blade." One of Waits's favorite descriptions of his voice was "Louis Armstrong and Ethel Merman meeting in Hell." Waits can also sing in falsetto, a high voice, which he said he could do better after he quit smoking.

He is known for using many different instruments, some of which he created himself. On his albums, he has used talking drums, bagpipes, banjo, bass marimba, glass harmonica, accordion, harmonium, glockenspiel, Mellotron, Farfisa, Optigan, Chamberlin, and the singing saw. He explains, "I use things we hear around us all the time, built and found instruments. Things that aren't normally considered instruments." He believes that "A lot of things are instruments and they don't even know it."

His songs often feature characters who are "bent out of shape" or "twisted psychotics." By Blue Valentine, violent death became a common theme in his lyrics. In his later work, orphanhood became a recurring theme. Many of his songs mention made-up places. Many of his songs also show a concern for runaways and children in danger. The idea of "lowlife redemption" and escape is often present in his music.

Tom Waits' Personal Life

During the 1970s, Waits had relationships with various people, including singer Rickie Lee Jones.

In 1980, Waits married Kathleen Brennan, who often works with him on his music. They live in Sonoma County, California. They have three children: Kellesimone (born 1983), Casey (born 1985), and Sullivan (born 1993). After he got married and had children, Waits became more private. Protecting his family's privacy became very important to him.

In interviews, he avoids questions about his personal life. He has refused to approve any biographies about him. When a writer was researching an unauthorized biography, Waits and his wife asked people not to talk to him.

Public Image and Character

Waits has worked to keep his public image separate from his private life. Some believe he uses his public persona as a way to protect himself. He has been described as adopting the role of "the bard of the streets." A music journalist who interviewed him in the 1970s noted that he had become so immersed in this character that "it wasn't an act."

Jim Jarmusch described Waits as a "very contradictory character." He said Waits could be "potentially violent" but also "gentle and kind." A musician who worked with him called him "a very pleasant human being." Waits is known for his sense of humor and enjoys jokes.

Waits dislikes touring, but he has a strong work ethic. His live shows are known for being a "spectacle and entertaining." He started using props in his shows in 1977, including a megaphone.

Working with Others

Over the years, Waits has worked with many artists he admires. He toured with saxophonist Teddy Edwards. Bruce Springsteen performed "Jersey Girl" with Waits in 1981. In 1987, he joined Springsteen and others in a tribute to Roy Orbison. Waits and Brennan wrote "Strange Weather" for Marianne Faithfull. Keith Richards played on several of Waits's albums. Richards said of Waits, "Tom’s music is so American. Probably more folk-American than anything, but somehow modern."

Waits covered songs by Kurt Weill for tribute albums. In 1991, he lent his voice to "Tommy the Cat" by the band Primus. Waits and Primus also performed Jack Kerouac's song "On the Road." He added vocals to a re-release of Gavin Bryars's Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet. He sang with Ramblin' Jack Elliott on his album Friends of Mine (1998). That year, Waits produced and funded Chuck E. Weiss's album Extremely Cool as a favor to his old friend. He also produced John P. Hammond's album Wicked Grin (2001), which featured many Waits songs.

Tom Waits' Music Albums

Tom Waits' Concert Tours

Tom Waits' Film Roles

Movies

Key

Denotes films that have not yet been released

Year	Film	Role	Notes
1978	Paradise Alley	Mumbles
1981	Wolfen	Drunken Bar Owner	Uncredited
1982	One from the Heart	Trumpet player	Also composer (uncredited as actor)
1983	The Outsiders	Buck Merrill
	Rumble Fish	Benny
1984	The Stone Boy	Petrified man at carnival	Uncredited
	The Cotton Club	Irving Stark
1986	Down by Law	Zach
1987	Ironweed	Rudy
1988	Greasy Lake	Narrator	Video
	Candy Mountain	Al Silk
	Big Time	Himself	Documentary; also co-writer
1989	Bearskin: An Urban Fairytale	Silva
	Cold Feet	Kenny
	Mystery Train	Radio D.J. (voice)
1990	The Two Jakes	Plainclothes Policeman	Uncredited
1991	At Play in the Fields of the Lord	Wolf
	The Fisher King	Disabled Veteran	Uncredited
	Queens Logic	Monte
	Night on Earth		Composer
1992	Bram Stoker's Dracula	R. M. Renfield
1993	Short Cuts	Earl Piggot
1999	Mystery Men	Doc Heller
2001	The Last Castle		Composer with Jerry Goldsmith
2003	Coffee and Cigarettes	Himself	Segment: "Somewhere in California"
2005	Domino	Wanderer
	The Tiger and the Snow	Himself
2006	Wristcutters: A Love Story	Kneller
2009	The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus	Mr. Nick
2010	The Book of Eli	Engineer
2011	The Monster of Nix	Virgil	Short film
	Twixt	Narrator
2012	Seven Psychopaths	Zachariah
2018	The Ballad of Buster Scruggs	Prospector	Segment: "All Gold Canyon"
	The Old Man & the Gun	Waller
2019	The Dead Don't Die	Hermit Bob
2021	Licorice Pizza	Rex Blau
2023	The Absence of Eden	Hunley
2025	Wildwood	Sterling Fox (voice)	In production
TBA	Father, Mother, Sister, Brother		Post-production

Television Shows

Key

Denotes films that have not yet been released

See also

In Spanish: Tom Waits para niños