SMU grad makes his way in show ‘business’

If you’re wondering how to break into the Hollywood scene, consider getting a degree from the Cox School of Business. That’s what ’95 graduate Tommy Lee Thomas did while pursuing an acting/producing career.

Thomas, a native Texan, went to SMU on an academic scholarship and began his business strategies in commercial television in Dallas.

“I had my first agent when I was 17,” Thomas said. “After my second audition, I had landed a Domino’s commercial. I also did commercials for Radio Shack, Dr Pepper, Bennigan’s and Sonic.”

The 29-year-old actor started performing as a body builder. The judges recognized his stage and screen presence.

His successful combination of body building and ambition puts Thomas on a path similar to Arnold Schwarzenegger. With his dark brown hair, blue eyes, attractive smile and sculpted body, Thomas is on his way to stardom.

“I’m a huge fan of Arnold’s, but my true inspiration is Sylvester Stallone,” he said.

Thomas has produced and starred in three feature films for which he raised the capital through private investors.

“It’s like finding a needle in a haystack, but once you get established, people come to you to get involved,” Thomas said.

Thomas started making Holly-wood connections while earning a master’s in business administration at Pepperdine in Malibu, Calif. He found a “niche for himself” producing independent action films.

Thomas thinks he looks natural when aiming a gun at someone or doing a stunt, but said he still needs work on his dramatic acting.

In his most recent film, Con Games, Thomas plays John Woodrow, a decorated Army veteran with hands of steel. Woodrow battles through violent fights with inmates at the Doscher State prison, California’s toughest maximum security jail, to investigate the Senator’s grandson’s death.

He runs into Hopkins, played by Eric Roberts (Julia Roberts’ brother), a mean-spirited prison official who rules with an iron fist. There has never been a successful escape from Doscher.

Woodrow takes on the system and fights for justice in an action-packed attempt to escape the prison death squad and tell the story.

“This is my most successful film yet,” Thomas said. “My ultimate goal is to release a film on the silver screen, but Con Games is coming out on VHS and DVD at the beginning of summer.”

Look for Con Games at any Hollywood video. His aim is to get Con Games on the shelves at Blockbuster and other video stores as well.

Thomas’ wife Mindy, who he met while attending SMU, said, “Tommy Lee is naturally creative. While many actors have only trained in acting, he could put his business background behind his creativity.”

Thomas has his own production company called Soaring Eagle Productions. Thomas said he enjoys making films, although it is a long, difficult process.

“I am employed because I work for myself,” he said. “I also have established a good relationship with Eric Roberts. I hope we can work together again in the future. Eric is extremely talented, professional, and he expects excellence. I have learned a lot from his acting,” Thomas said.

Thomas has trained with the acting coach who worked with Jack Nicholson and Schwarzenegger.

Thomas has received recognition for his work on Con Games. Scenes from the movie were shown on “20/20” with Connie Chung reporting on the film.

People magazine ran an interview with Thomas in March.

He’s currently working on another action film he hopes will be even more successful than Con Games, currently being distributed to nine foreign countries. He also plans to approach the director of Rocky with a film idea as well.

While in Disney Land, Thomas stayed focused, continuing to make business calls.

While his hard work has ended in lack of sleep and endless hours on the phone, it is paying off.

“He was invited to an exclusive Oscar party last month which was a neat opportunity for him,” Mindy Thomas said.

In his free time, Thomas likes to drive up the coast, lift weights and go to the movies.

Thomas’ advice to SMU students is “if you want to be successful, you must work while others are playing.”

He also said with a smile, “Go out and make it happen.”