Thomas Francis Murphy

Biography

Thomas Francis Murphy was born in Dayton, Ohio, in 1953. In his early adulthood, he worked various jobs, including positions in dairy barns and factories. His diverse experiences included training as a hard hat diver, serving as an ambulance driver, working as a social worker, and acting as a freelance theatre critic. In his thirties, while residing in Little Rock, Arkansas, Murphy discovered a passion for acting after enrolling in a class that profoundly shifted his life's trajectory. Embracing this newfound calling, he dedicated over two decades to the theatre scene on the East Coast, often juggling a paintbrush and a script as he pursued his craft.

Murphy honed his skills with Shakespeare & Co. in Lenox, Massachusetts, and made a name for himself performing in off-off-Broadway productions in New York City. His notable performances in plays by Sam Shepard earned him critical acclaim, including praise from the New York Times.

In 2013, Murphy relocated to New Orleans, where he has had the opportunity to share the screen with A-list Hollywood actors. He appeared alongside Woody Harrelson in the acclaimed series "True Detective," Chiwetel Ejiofor in "12 Years a Slave," and Keanu Reeves in "The Whole Truth." Additionally, he played significant roles in the upcoming films "Free State of Jones," featuring Matthew McConaughey, and "Same Kind of Different As Me," alongside Greg Kinnear and Renee Zellweger. Murphy also had a recurring role on the series "Salem" and has made appearances in "American Horror" and numerous other projects.