Tom Lowell

Lowell Thomas (born January 17,[2] 1941)[3] is an American film and television actor.[4][5] He is perhaps best known for playing baby-faced Pvt. Billy Nelson in the American drama television series Combat!.[3]

Tom Lowell
Born
Lowell Thomas[1]

(1941-01-17) January 17, 1941
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Occupation(s)Film and television actor
Years active1962–1999

Life and career

Lowell was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[2] He began his career in 1962, first appearing in the anthology television series The Twilight Zone in the S3 E37 episode "The Changing of the Guard", in which he appeared with actor Darryl Richard.[6] Lowell then appeared in the sitcom television series The Lucy Show, where he played the recurring role of Alan Harper. He then made two appearances in the legal drama television series Perry Mason in the episodes "The Case of the Careless Kidnapper" and "The Case of the Lurid Letter".[7] He also appeared several times on The Carol Burnett Show as an uncredited stock player.

In the same year, Lowell appeared in the 1962 film Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation, which starred James Stewart and Maureen O'Hara. He also appeared in the film The Manchurian Candidate, which starred Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey and Janet Leigh. He played as David Woolf in the 1964 film The Carpetbaggers.[2] Lowell then played as Canoe Henderson in the 1965 film That Darn Cat!.[2]


In 1965 he played Rockland "Rocky" Cartwright III on The Addams Family TV series, as the memorable angry motorcycle-riding beatnik who wrecked outside the Addams Family residence while escaping his overbearing tycoon stern father. The family took Rocky in to tend his wounds and offered him hospitality while Uncle Fester fixed the wrecked motorcycle. Rocky's initial resistance and fear of the family gave way to respect and friendship after their consistent praise and delight they found in Rocky. It culminated when they threw him a surprise birthday party, the grand gift being Rocky's angry father (intended as a nice surprise) who hid behind the aspidistra where Rocky would find him. As the father insulted the Addams while attempting to leave with Rocky, Rocky defended them for accepting him for who he was. As he awaited his dad to put handcuffs on him, the father relented, letting him go. The father would express to the Addams his regret having treated his son badly, which Rocky overheard. Rocky and his father reconciled and while departing together, Rocky gave Pugsley his black leather cap, and to Wednesday his black leather motorcycle jacket.


He also played the starring role of Jasper in the 1967 film The Gnome-Mobile.[2][8] Lowell guest-starred in television programs including Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Death Valley Days, Daniel Boone, Quincy, M.E., The Invaders and The Big Valley.[2] His final credit was from the 1999 film Love and Action in Chicago.

In later years, Lowell taught acting at private schools in the Los Angeles area.

References
  1. Cooper, Jackie (2001). Chances and Choices: Further Tales of a Gentle Southern Man. Mercer University Press. p. 124. ISBN 9780865549739 – via Google Books.
  2. "Tom Lowell". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  3. Witbeck, Charles (August 11, 1964). "Special Effects Enhance 'Combat'". The Minneapolis Star. Minneapolis, Minnesota. p. 83. Retrieved August 29, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. closed access
  4. "(untitled brief)". The Commercial Appeal. Memphis, Tennessee. April 15, 1964. p. 22. Retrieved August 29, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. closed access
  5. "Valley College Will Crown Queen Tonight". The San Bernardino County Sun. San Bernardino, California. October 16, 1964. p. 15. Retrieved August 29, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. closed access
  6. Rubin, Steve (November 1, 2017). Twilight Zone Encyclopedia. Chicago Review Press. p. 155. ISBN 9781613738917 – via Google Books.
  7. Hill, Ona (September 9, 2011). Raymond Burr: A Film, Radio and Television Biography. McFarland. p. 248. ISBN 9780786491377 – via Google Books.
  8. "Actor's Assignment Envy of Mop-Tops". Philadelphia Daily News. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. July 26, 1967. p. 31. Retrieved August 29, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. open access
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