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Tom Wilson

Tom Wilson

Actor, also producer · Born April 15, 1959 (67) · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Thomas Francis Wilson (born April 15, 1959) is an American actor, writer, musician, painter, voice-over artist and stand-up comedian. He is best known for playing Biff Tannen (and his grandson Griff Tannen and great-grandfather Buford "Mad Dog" Tannen) in the Back to the Future trilogy and Coach Ben Fredricks on NBC's Freaks and Geeks. Description above from the Wikipedia article Thomas F. Wilson, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
April 15, 1959 (67)
From
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
73 on MovieCove · 107 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 29% in 30 days

What are Tom Wilson's films like?

Across their 20 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Adventure4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 94th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure movies
Comedy4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 8th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 25th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Animation2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 44th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Animation movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
36%
Self
30%
Morality
11%
Society
8%
Ideas
8%
Survival
4%
Power
3%
Friendship7 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds7 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity5 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age3 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFate2 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 14 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 11 · Serious 3 · Dark 0

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 5 · Stylized 4 · Heightened 5

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 6 · Charged 5 · Intense 3

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 6 · Shifting 8 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 1 · Some laughs 9 · Funny 4

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 3 · Even-paced 8 · Relentless 3

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 8 · Engaged 4 · Full focus 2

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 12 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

8 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 5 of 8 analyzed roles.

Shadow
5 of 8
Ally
1 of 8
Hero
1 of 8
Shapeshifter
1 of 8
Show the 8 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Joyful
11
Absurd
10
Thrilling
7
Tense
5
Warm
4
Other
13

How their films linger

Fun14 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy11
  • Bittersweet4
  • Ambiguous3
  • Cyclical2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Tom Wilson's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 52 of their 73 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Paramount+ (15).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Tom Wilson's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

107 credits, 73 with a MovieCove page; 7 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Untitled The Patrick Star Show Mini-Series (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    as Cecil / Bus Driver / Line Guy #2 (voice)

  • The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants(2025)

    as Coach Tuna (voice)

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • SpongeBob and Patrick's Timeline Twist-Up (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Cecil / Various Incidental Characters (voice)

  • Humbly Super Famous (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Director · Editor · Writer · as Self

  • SpongeBob SquarePants Presents the Tidal Zone(2023)

    as Cecil Star

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Spidey and His Amazing Friends(2021)

    Show 5 episodes · as William Baker / Sandman (voice)

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all shows

  • The Patrick Star Show(2021)

    Show 162 episodes · as Cecil Star (voice)

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all shows

  • Kamp Koral: SpongeBob's Under Years(2021)

    Show 1 episode · as Cecil Star (voice)

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all shows

  • The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants(2018)

    Show 1 episode · as Major Messy / Camoflush (voice)

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all shows

  • Mosaic(2018)

    Show 2 episodes · as Cliff Jones

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all shows

  • Back to the Future: The Hill Valley Chronicles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Show 11 episodes · as Biff Tannen

  • The Mayor(2017)

    Show 1 episode · as Governor Fillucci

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all shows

  • The Ranch(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as Coach Fitzgerald

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Legends of Tomorrow(2016)

    Show 9 episodes · as Henry 'Hank' Heywood

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Pig Goat Banana Cricket(2015)

    Show 40 episodes · as Banana (voice)

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all shows

  • Dragons: Race to the Edge(2015)

    Show 3 episodes · as Bucket (voice)

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water(2015)

    as Angry Customer #1 (voice)

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Tom and Jerry's Giant Adventure(2013)

    as Mr. Bigley / Ginormous (voice)

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • The Heat(2013)

    as Captain Woods

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Epic(2013)

    as Finn (voice)

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Zach Stone Is Gonna Be Famous(2013)

    Show 12 episodes · as Andrew 'Drew' Stone

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Voice Over (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Crandall

  • Dragons: Riders of Berk(2012)

    Show 15 episodes · as Bucket (voice)

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Franklin & Bash(2011)

    Show 2 episodes · as Spiritual Adviser

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Workaholics(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Barnes

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Rio(2011)

    as Trapped Bird / Screaming Hang Glider (voice)

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Harry's Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Allan Meade

  • The Child Wanderers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Kevin

  • Planet Sheen(2010)

    Show as Blurg #1

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all shows

  • House Broken(2010)

    as Henry Decker

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Tom Wilson: Bigger Than You(2009)

    Producer · Writer · as Self

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • The Informant!(2009)

    as Mark Cheviron

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Batman: The Brave and the Bold(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Catman / Mobster #2 (voice) · as Sportsmaster / Santa (voice)

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • True Jackson, VP(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Ben Franklin

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all shows

  • Back at the Barnyard(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Krebs (voice)

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all shows

  • Zoom(2006)

    as Dylan's Teacher

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Psych(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Butch Zielinski

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector(2006)

    as Bart Tatlock

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Big Love(2006)

    Show 3 episodes · as Ricky Jax

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Ghost Whisperer(2005)

    Show 6 episodes · as Tim Flaherty

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows

  • Bones(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Chip Barnett

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Zoey 101(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Coach Phelps

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all shows

  • The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie(2004)

    as Fish #3 / Tough Fish #1 (voice)

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • House(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Lou

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Boston Legal(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Jeffrey Bass

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Rodney(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Bill

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all shows

  • Splatypus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Haphazard (voice)

  • Cold Case (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Arnold Brown

  • NCIS(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Angus Demint

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Two and a Half Men(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Mike

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • Rock Me Baby (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Buffalo Buck

  • The Pitts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Guard

  • Atlantis: Milo's Return(2003)

    as Carnaby (voice)

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Stripperella(2003)

    Show as Director

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all shows

  • Still Standing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Coach Kirk Stone

  • Do Over (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 4 episodes · Actor

  • She Spies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Roger 'Rush' Gibson

  • George Lopez(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Sonny

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all shows

  • Reba(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Ted

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all shows

  • The Zeta Project(2001)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all shows

  • Boston Public (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Paul Stanton

  • Ed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 5 episodes · as Sean Nowell

  • Buzz Lightyear of Star Command (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Buster (voice)

  • Titus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Joe

  • Freaks and Geeks(1999)

    Show 6 episodes · as Coach Ben Fredricks

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • SpongeBob SquarePants(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Bald Fish / Fish #3 / Clerk Fish / Fish #4 / Starfish (voice) · as Cecil (voice) · as Cop #2 / Johnny / Donna (voice) · as Customer #1 / Customer #2 (voice) · as Dog Walker · as Flats the Flounder (voice) · as Football Fish / Fish #2 (voice) · as Herb Star (voice) · as Marty / Herb Star (voice) · as Mutton Chop (voice) · as Reg / Customer #1 / Tough Fish (voice) · as Reg / Salty Guy #3 / Salty Gang / Salty Patrons (voice) · as Stinky (voice) · as Stranger (voice) · as Tattletale Strangler (voice) · as Tony Fast Sr. / Cop #2 (voice) · as TV Announcer #2 (voice) · as Villains / Customer / Weenie Goon (voice)

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Family Guy(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as First Step (voice)

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Girl(1998)

    as The Ticket Seller

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • The Hughleys (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Stan

  • Zoomates (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Mark (voice)

  • Men in White(1998)

    as Ed Klingbottom

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • 101 Dalmatians: The Series(1997)

    Show 4 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all shows

  • The New Batman Adventures (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Howlin' Jake (voice)

  • steve.oedekerk.com (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Actor

  • Fired Up (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 5 episodes · as Steve Summer

  • That Darn Cat(1997)

    as Melvin

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Sabrina the Teenage Witch(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Simon

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows

  • Wing Commander Academy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 13 episodes · as Todd 'Maniac' Marshall (voice)

  • Superman: The Animated Series(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Joey (voice)

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Nash Bridges(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Jack Noon

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Andersonville (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 2 episodes · as Thomas

  • Born to Be Wild(1995)

    as Det. Lou Greenberg (as Tom Wilson)

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Gargoyles(1994)

    Show 14 episodes · as Lt. Matt Bluestone/Robber (voice) · as Matt Bluestone · as Matt Bluestone (voice) · as Matt Bluestone/Gangbanger 3 (voice) · as Matt Bluestone/Jogger/Quarryman (voice) · as Matt Bluestone/Male Commuter 2 (voice) · as Matt Bluestone/Thug 2 (voice)

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Camp Nowhere(1994)

    as Lt. Eliot Hendricks

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Mr. Write(1994)

    as Billy

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Duckman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Park Ranger Smith (voice)

  • Caroline at Midnight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Officer Keaton

  • Rocko's Modern Life(1993)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Carter Landry

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all shows

  • Morning Man at 88.0 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Actor

  • Blood in Blood Out(1993)

    as Rollie McCann

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Batman: The Animated Series(1992)

    Show 2 episodes · as Zucco (voice)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Back to the Future: The Ride (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Biff Tannen

  • High Strung (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Al

  • Back to the Future: Dickens of a Christmas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Biff H. Tannen (voice)

  • Back to the Future(1991)

    Show as Biff H. Tannen

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all shows

  • Turner & Hooch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Det. Scott Turner

  • Back to the Future Part III(1990)

    as Buford 'Mad Dog' Tannen / Biff Tannen

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Back to the Future Part II(1989)

    as Biff Tannen / Griff

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • The Last Ride (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Writer · as Buck Johnson III

  • Action Jackson(1988)

    as Officer Kornblau

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Let's Get Harry(1986)

    as Pachowski

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • April Fool's Day(1986)

    as Arch Cummings

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Back to the Future(1985)

    as Biff Tannen

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Los Angeles Streetfighter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Spike's Gang Member

  • Knight Rider(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Chip

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • The Facts of Life(1979)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all shows

Career shape

Star power in the 98th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 104 titles from 1979 to 2026; peak year 1989.

Biggest box office

Back to the Future (1985)

$392M worldwide

Highest rated

Back to the Future (1985)

Midcredits 99th

Most popular right now

The Patrick Star Show (2021)

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19792026

Peak 1989 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 1 MovieCove title. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting102 of 104: 101 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score47thDirecting1 of 104: 0 only directing, 1 with another roleWriting3 of 104: 1 only writing, 2 with another roleEditing1 of 104: 0 only editing, 1 with another role

By decade

1970s1 · acting1980s8 · 8 acting · 1 crew1990s33 · acting2000s34 · 33 acting · 1 crew2010s20 · acting2020s8 · 7 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 9th · top billed in 0% of 24 roles
85900010

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Tom Wilson's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 45th percentile, the median of all 27; across their 14 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 41st percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

41stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Approval · how many liked their films

45thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Reach · how many have seen their films

79thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Midcredits score across 73 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up26
  • 50th to 74th7
  • 25th to 49th19
  • Below 25th21

Shape of the crowd

31 of their 73 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved13
  • Divisive3
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser23
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed31

Most divisive · actor

The Patrick Star Show (2021)

96th percentile spread · 55% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Back to the Future (1985)

Midcredits 99th · 93% liked

Reviewers score the acting 62/100 in their films, across 13 reviewed titles; fans 74, detractors 40. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Tom Wilson's work okay for kids?

Across up to 10 MovieCove titles with content scores, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore8 titles30–71 · median 52 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity10 titles16–57 · median 35 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity7 titles41–60 · median 52 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs6 titles28–48 · median 34 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense6 titles32–64 · median 51 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Tom Wilson work with?

People who share at least 2 of Tom Wilson's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Robert Zemeckis shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers