Tom Bower

Biography

Tom Bower (born Ralph Thomas Bower; Denver, Colorado, January 3, 1938 – Los Angeles, May 30, 2024) was an American actor known for a long career in supporting roles across film and television.

Bower began working on television in the mid-1970s, with appearances in series such as The Waltons and The Rockford Files. He moved into films shortly afterwards. He is best remembered by many viewers for playing Marvin, a janitor, in Die Hard 2 (1990), and he also appeared in Beverly Hills Cop II (1987) and Nixon (1995), where he played Frank Nixon, the president's father. Later credits included North Country (2005) and Crazy Heart (2009).

His legacy lies in a steady presence across many different productions rather than in leading roles. He died in Los Angeles in May 2024 at the age of 86.

Key films

• Die Hard 2 (1990): as Marvin, the janitor caught up in the airport siege.
• Nixon (1995): as Frank Nixon, the president's father, in Oliver Stone's biopic.
• North Country (2005): as Gray Suchett, in Niki Caro's drama about labour rights.
• Crazy Heart (2009): as Bill Wilson, in the musical drama starring Jeff Bridges.
• El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019): as Lou, in the follow-up to the series.