Thomas Haden Church

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Image:ChurchSandman.jpg Thomas Haden Church (born June 17, 1961 in Fort Worth, Texas) is a television actor and cartoon voice actor who started in the entertainment business as a radio personality. A part in an independent film convinced him to move to California to pursue an acting career.

Church played the part of dim-witted airport mechanic Lowell Mather for five seasons (1990 -1995) on the NBC sitcom Wings. He worked in television for two more seasons with a lead role on Ned and Stacey opposite Debra Messing.

After roles in little-seen films like Tales from the Crypt Presents Demon Knight, 3000 Miles to Graceland and his directorial debut, Rolling Kansas, Church went into early retirement and relocated back to his native Texas.

At one point, Church was close to landing the part that went to Dermot Mulroney in About Schmidt but didn't get it. In 2003 director Alexander Payne, who had promised Church a part in his next film, cast the actor in Sideways as Jack, the selfish best friend to Paul Giamatti's writer, looking to have one last fling before getting married. Payne personally visited Church at his estate in Texas to offer him the part.

Sideways helped provide a comeback for Church, for which he won an IFP Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

In 2005, Church was announced to be a villain in Spider-Man 3, the third installment of the franchise is due for release in May 4, 2007. He plays the Sandman.

He resides on his large ranch in Kerrville, Texas, and is moderate in his political views.

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Filmography

Spider-Man 3 (2007) .... Flint Marko, aka Sandman
Continuing Ed (2006)
Charlotte's Web (2006) (voice) .... Brooks
Over the Hedge (2006) (voice) .... Dwayne LaFontaine
Spanglish (2004) .... Mike - Realtor
Sideways (2004) .... Jackson 'Jack' Lapote
Serial Killing 4 Dummys (2004) aka Serial Killing 101 .... Vince Grimaldi, aka Serial Killer
George of the Jungle 2 (2003) (V) .... Lyle Van de Groot
Rolling Kansas (2003) .... Agent Madsen, Trooper
The Badge (2002) .... David Hardwick
Lone Star State of Mind (2002) .... Killer, aka Road to Hell (USA)
Monkeybone (2001) .... Death's Assistant
3000 Miles to Graceland (2001) .... U.S. Marshal Quigley
The Specials (2000) .... The Strobe/Ted Tilderbrook
Goosed (1999/I) .... Steven Troy
Free Money (1998) .... Larry
Susan's Plan (1998) .... Dr. Chris Stillman, aka Dying to Get Rich
Mr. Murder (1998) (TV) .... Drew Oslett Jr., aka Dean Koontz's Mr. Murder
One Night Stand (1997) .... Don
George of the Jungle (1997) .... Lyle van de Groot
Ned and Stacey (1995) TV Series .... Ned Dorsey (1995-1997)
Demon Knight (1995) .... Roach, aka Demon Keeper, aka Tales from the Crypt Presents: Demon Knight
Tombstone (1993) .... Billy Clanton
Fugitive Nights: Danger in the Desert (1993) (TV) .... Nelson Hareem, aka Fugitive Nights
Wings (TV) (1990) TV Series .... Lowell Mather (1990-1995)
Ys: Book 1&2 (VG) (1990) (VG) (voice) .... Goban Toba
Gypsy Angels (1980) .... Roommate