Thomas Duane Arnold (born March 6, 1959) is an American actor and comedian, best known for playing Arnie Thomas on Roseanne, which starred his ex-wife Roseanne Barr. He has appeared in films like True Lies (1994), Nine Months (1995), Big Bully, Carpool, The Stupids (1996), McHale’s Navy (1997), Animal Factory (2000), Cradle 2 the Grave (2003), Mr. 3000 (2004), Happy Endings (2005), Pride (2007), The Great Buck Howard (2008), Madea’s Witness Protection (2011). He hosted The Best Damn Sports Show Period for four years and appeared on Sons of Anarchy.
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Tom Arnold Net Worth
Tom Arnold has a net worth of $20 million. In 1998, he bought a home in Mulholland Estates from Paula Abdul, selling it in 2006 for $7.4 million. He then purchased a Tarzana home from Randy Jackson for $1.95 million.
In 2009, he and Ashley Groussman bought a Benedict Canyon mansion for $1.7 million, remodeling the 4,600-square-foot property with five bedrooms, five bathrooms, a gym, a saltwater pool, and a spa. Following their divorce, he listed it for $3.85 million.
Early life
Thomas Duane Arnold was born in Ottumwa, Iowa, to Linda Kay (née Graham) and Jack Arnold. His mother was Jewish and abandoned the family when he was a child. Raised by his father, Arnold and his siblings, Lori and Scott, struggled with their upbringing. Lori later ran a major meth operation before her 1989 arrest.
Arnold, diagnosed with autism, avoided that path, working at a meatpacking plant. He attended Ottumwa High School, Indian Hills Community College, and the University of Iowa (1981–1983), studying business administration and writing.
Career
In the 1980s, Tom Arnold performed a prop-based comedy routine, “Tom Arnold and the Goldfish Review.” Roseanne Barr hired him as a writer for Roseanne, later marrying him in 1990. He played Arnie Thomas on the show and starred in The Jackie Thomas Show (1992).
In 1993, he and Barr opened Roseanne and Tom’s Big Food Diner in Eldon, Iowa. After their 1994 divorce, Arnold starred in True Lies, hosted The Best Damn Sports Show Period (2001–2005), voiced Arby’s Oven Mitt, and hosted CMT’s My Big Redneck Wedding (2008–2011).
Personal life
Tom Arnold met Roseanne Barr in 1983 and married her in 1990 after overcoming alcoholism and drug addiction. They divorced in 1994, and Arnold later married twice more, both ending in divorce. In August 2008, he broke his scapula in a motorcycle accident on the Pacific Coast Highway.
Over Thanksgiving 2009, he married Ashley Groussman in Maui, with Dax Shepard as best man. They had two children before announcing their 2019 divorce, finalized in July 2020. The couple also had four dogs.
Are Tom Arnold and Arnold Schwarzenegger friends?
Tom Arnold and Arnold Schwarzenegger became friends while filming True Lies (1994). Their friendship has continued for decades, with Arnold Schwarzenegger supporting Tom Arnold during personal struggles. Most recently, Tom Arnold appeared in Schwarzenegger’s Netflix series FUBAR.
Conclusion
Tom Arnold’s journey in the entertainment industry is a testament to versatility, resilience, and the power of transformation. From his early days in comedy to his diverse roles in television and film, Arnold’s career reflects a continuous evolution, marked by both professional success and personal growth.
FAQs About Tom Arnold
- How did Tom Arnold start his career in entertainment?
- Arnold began with a prop-based comedy routine in the early 1980s, leading to a successful career in stand-up comedy.
- What are some of Tom Arnold’s notable television roles?
- Arnold is known for his work on “Roseanne,” “The Jackie Thomas Show,” “The Tom Show,” and appearances in various other TV series.
- What kind of roles has Tom Arnold played in films?
- He has appeared in a variety of film genres, from action comedies like “True Lies” to dramas and romantic comedies.
- What personal challenges has Tom Arnold faced?
- Arnold has been open about his struggles with drug addiction and alcoholism, and his efforts towards sobriety.
- What impact has Tom Arnold’s personal life had on his career?
- His personal life, including his marriage to and divorce from Roseanne Barr, has often intersected with his professional life, influencing his roles and public perception.
