Thom Christopher

Thom Christopher
Born(1940-10-05)October 5, 1940
New York City, U.S.
DiedDecember 5, 2024(2024-12-05) (aged 84)
OccupationActor
Years active1972–2017
Spouse
Judith Leverone
​
​
(m. 1971; died 2019)​

Thomas N. Portelli (October 5, 1940 – December 5, 2024), known professionally as Thom Christopher, was an American actor.

Life and career

Christopher attended Ithaca College and studied acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse.

He was best known for his portrayal of villainous upstate Pennsylvania mob boss Carlo Hesser (1990–1992, 1996–1997, 2005, 2006, 2008) on the ABC soap opera, One Life to Live He also portrayed Hesser's meek twin Mortimer Bern (1992–1993, 1997). He is also known for playing Hawk, a half-man, half-bird warrior in the second season of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century in 1981.

Christopher also had roles on soap operas such as Loving and Guiding Light. He created the role of Noel Douglas on the CBS soap opera The Edge of Night.

Christopher died on December 5, 2024, aged 84.

Filmography

Film

Television

Video games

Stage

Theatre credits
Year Title Role Venue Refs.
1974 Noël Coward in Two Keys Felix Ethel Barrymore Theater, Broadway
1977 Caesar and Cleopatra Apollodorus Palace Theatre, Broadway
1989 The Investigation of the Murder in El Salvador D'Costa New York Theatre Workshop, Off-Broadway
1994 The Triumph of Love Hermocrate Classic Stage Company, Off-Broadway
1997 The Changeling performer Theatre at St. Clement's, Off-Broadway
1997 Stevie Wants To Play The Blues Ernest Williamstown Theatre Festival, Massachusetts
2000 Night Blooming Jasmine Michael Hernick TriBeCa Playhouse, Off-Broadway
2008 Another Vermeer Dr. Abraham Bredius Abingdon Theater Company, Off-Broadway

Awards

Award Year Category For Result
AACTA Awards 1973-74 Theatre World Award Noel Coward in Two Keys Won
Daytime Emmy Awards 1992 Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series One Life to Live Won
1993 Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series One Life to Live Nominated
1993 Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Loving Nominated
Soap Opera Digest Awards 1992 Outstanding Villain: Daytime One Life to Live Nominated
1993 Outstanding Supporting Actor One Life to Live Nominated

References

  1. ↑ "Judith Christoper Obituary". Boston Globe. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  2. ↑ "PHH Mortgage Corporation v. Hermida et al (Docket Report)". Justia Dockets. U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (7:2025-cv-08074). October 8, 2025. Retrieved October 12, 2026. Filing 6: SUMMONS REQUEST... as to MARIA HERMIDA, AS EXECUTRIX OF THE ESTATE OF THOMAS N. PORTELLI A/K/A THOM CHRISTOPHER A/K/A THOM PORTELLI
  3. ↑ Willis, John; Lynch, Tom, eds. (1995). "Christopher, Thom". John Willis Theatre World 1992-1993 Season Volume 49. Applause Theatre Book Publishers. p. 193. ISBN 9781557832047. Retrieved 2021-05-08.
  4. ↑ Moore, Julia (December 6, 2024). "Thom Christopher, One Life to Live Star, Dies at 84: 'He Was Always a Gentleman'". People. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 Hart, Marla (8 October 1992). "Actor Thom Christopher Has 2 Lives To Live". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  6. ↑ Phillips, Mark; Garcia, Frank (2014). Science Fiction Television Series: Episode Guides, Histories, and Casts and Credits for 62 Prime-Time Shows, 1959 through 1989. McFarland. ISBN 9781476610306. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  7. ↑ "Thom Christopher Dies at 84". Soap Opera News. 6 December 2024. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
  8. ↑ Barnes, Mike (2024-12-06). "Thom Christopher, 'One Life to Live' Actor, Dies at 84". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-12-07.
  9. ↑ Barnes, Clive (1 March 1974). "Stage: Hume Cronyn Dances Through 'Coward in Two Keys'". New York Times. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  10. ↑ "Noël Coward in Two Keys – Broadway Play – Original". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League LLC. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  11. ↑ Barnes, Clive (25 February 1977). "Stage: Shaw's 'Caesar and Cleopatra'". New York Times. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  12. ↑ Gussow, Mel (23 May 1989). "Review/Theater; Fiddling While a Rome of Our Time Burns". New York Times. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  13. ↑ Richards, David (7 April 1994). "Review/Theater; A Marivaux Comedy On the Effects of Love". New York Times. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  14. ↑ "STOLEN BY THE STAGE MANAGERS 'CHANGELING' THRILLS BY DESIGN, NO MORE". New York Daily News. 4 March 1997. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  15. ↑ "Stevie Wants to Play the Blues". Williamstown Theatre Festival. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  16. ↑ Lefkowitz, David; Glaser, Blair (10 July 1997). "Williamstown Reaches Dead End, July 10". Playbill. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  17. ↑ Van Gelder, Lawrence (18 February 2000). "THEATER REVIEW; Star-Crossed in Israel, Like a West Bank Story". New York Times. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  18. ↑ Blankenship, Mark (6 April 2008). "Another Vermeer". Variety. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  19. ↑ "Theatre World Award Recipients". Retrieved 18 July 2017.