Tom Berenger, known for his role in iconic films like Platoon and Major League, boasts a diverse filmography beyond action. He’s proven his range with compelling performances in dramas, comedies, and even science fiction.
1980s
The Big Chill (1983) This ensemble drama, exploring the lives of college friends who reunite for the funeral of one of their friends, features Berenger as Sam Weber, a successful but cynical television star. Kevin Kline, Glen Close, William Hurt, Jeff Goldblum, Meg Tilly, Mary Kay Place and JoBeth Williams co-starred. Lawrence Kasdan wrote and directed.
Eddie and the Cruisers (1983) This rock and roll drama centers around news reporter Maggie Foley (Ellen Barkin) investigates the mysterious disappearance of cult rock star Eddie Wilson (Michael Pare), lead singer of the popular band the Cruisers. Berenger stars as Frank, the band’s piano player nicknamed “The Word Man.” Joe Pantoliano
Platoon (1986) This Oscar-winning war drama directed by Oliver Stone, showcases Berenger as Sergeant Barnes, a hardened veteran amidst the horrors of the Vietnam War. Charlie Sheen, Willem Dafoe, Forest Whitaker, Kevin Dillon and Johnny Depp also starred.
Betrayed (1988) FBI agent Catherine Weaver (Debra Winger) goes undercover in a white supremacist group in Iowa that is led by Gary Simmons (Berenger). John Heard, John Mahoney and Ted Levine co-starred.
Shoot to Kill (1988) FBI agent Warren Stantin (Sidney Poitier) and wilderness guide Jonathan Knox (Berenger) hunt a murderer in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest as he heads for the Canadian border. Kirstie Alley, Clancy Brown and Richard Masur co-starred.
Major League (1989) Berenger plays Jake Taylor, a veteran catcher who mentors pitcher Ricky Vaughn (Charlie Sheen) and center fielder Willie ‘Mayes’ Hayes (Wesley Snipes) during a season with the Cleveland Indians under new ownership that hopes the team will lose. Rene Russo, Corbin Bernsen, James Gammon, Dennis Haysbert, Margaret Whitton and Bob Uecker also starred. Berenger reprises his role in Major League II in 1994.
Born on the Fourth of July (1989) Berenger returned to work with Platoon director Oliver Stone in the film starring Tom Cruise as Ron Kovic, a soldier paralyzed in the Vietnam War who becomes an anti-war and human rights activist. Kyra Sedgwick, Willem Dafoe, Jason Gedrick and Tom Sizemore co-starred.
1990s
Shattered (1991) Berenger is an architect with amnesia after a brutal car accident who slowly begins to unravel his scandalous past. Greta Scacchi, Bob Hoskins, Corbin Bernsen and Joanne Whalley co-starred.
Sliver (1993) A book editor (Sharon Stone) moves into a luxury high rise apartment building and learns that a previous tenant was murdered. Berenger, William Baldwin and Martin Landau round out the cast. Joe Eszterhas wrote the screenplay in his first film following the success of Basic Instinct.
Sharon Stone and Tom Berenger in Sliver (Photo/Paramount Pictures)
Sniper (1993) This action film launched a franchise, with Berenger playing MGySgt Thomas Beckett, a legendary sniper who trains a rookie marksman (Billy Zane). J.T Walsh (A Few Good Men, Tequila Sunrise) also stars.
Last of the Dogmen (1995) Berenger stars as a bounty hunter who tracks escaped convicts into a remote region in the mountains of northwest Montana. Barbara Hershey and Kurtwood Smith co-starred.
The Substitute (1996) Berenger plays a former Special Forces soldier who goes undercover as a substitute teacher to infiltrate a gang operating in an inner-city school. Ernie Hudson, Marc Anthony, Raymond Cruz, William Forsythe and Diane Venora co-starred.
The Gingerbread Man (1998) Berenger stars alongside Kenneth Branaugh, Robert Downey Jr., Robert Duvall, Daryl Hannah and Famke Janssen in the film directed by Robert Altman and based on a story by John Grisham.
Legacy for Tom Berenger
These films demonstrate Berenger’s versatility and ability to bring depth and nuance to a wide range of characters. He is a respected actor with a long and successful career in Hollywood. In the 2000s, he continued to appear in films, highlighted by the Oscar-winning film Training Day starring Denzel Washington and the blockbuster film Inception starring Leonardo DiCaprio and directed by Christopher Nolan. He has also appeared in hit tv series including Major Crimes and October Road.
