Thomas Cavanagh (born October 26, 1963[1]) is a Canadian actor. He is known for a variety of roles on American television, including starring roles in Ed (2000–2004), Love Monkey (2006) and Trust Me (2009), and recurring roles on Providence and Scrubs. From 2014 to 2023, he portrayed Eobard Thawne / Reverse-Flash and the various versions of Harrison Wells on The CW television series The Flash; Cavanagh also directed several episodes of The Flash. In 2023, he became the host of Hey Yahoo! on GSN.[2]
Tom Cavanagh | |
|---|---|
 Cavanagh in 2023 | |
| Born | Thomas Cavanagh October 26, 1963 |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1989–present |
| Spouse |
Maureen Grise (m. 2004) |
| Children | 4 |
Early life
editThomas Cavanagh was born on October 26, 1963, in Ottawa, Ontario,[1] to a Roman Catholic family of Irish descent.[3] Cavanagh moved with his family to Winneba, a small city in Ghana when he was a child.[4]
In his teens, the family moved to Lennoxville, Quebec when his father became the Academic Dean of Champlain College.[5][6] He attended the Séminaire de Sherbrooke, where he studied in French and played basketball for the Barons. He later studied at Champlain College in Lennoxville at the CEGEP level. While attending Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, he became interested in theatre and music and played ice hockey and varsity basketball. He graduated in 1987 with degrees in English, biology and education.[1][7]
Career
editCommercial credits
editCavanagh acted in his native Canada for many years, appearing on television dramas such as Jake and the Kid in the late 1990s, and television commercials, appearing for Oh Henry! chocolate bars[8] and Labatt Blue Light beer commercials[9] in the 1990s and for CIBC.
Broadway roles
editIn 1989, he was cast in the Broadway revival of Shenandoah. Other stage credits include productions of A Chorus Line, Cabaret, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Urinetown and Grease. He appeared in the 2008 production of Some Americans Abroad at Second Stage Theatre in New York City.[10]
Television performances
editAfter gaining notice for his recurring role as Doug the Dog Guy in the NBC television program Providence, Cavanagh was cast as the title character in the NBC program Ed. Cavanagh received a Golden Globe nomination and a TV Guide Award for his work on Ed, which ran for four seasons beginning in October 2000 and concluding in February 2004.[4]
Cavanagh first guest starred on the sitcom Scrubs in 2002’s "My Big Brother" where he played Dan Dorian, the brother of lead character J.D., cast because of his resemblance to Zach Braff. He made six subsequent appearances in the series, culminating with Braff's final episode as a series regular, the eighth season finale, "My Finale".
In 2005, Cavanagh filmed a pilot, Love Monkey, with Jason Priestley, Judy Greer and Larenz Tate. The show was selected by CBS as a midseason replacement and debuted on January 17, 2006. Love Monkey was given an eight-episode order, but only three aired on CBS before the show was placed on indefinite hiatus due to low ratings. VH1 bought all eight episodes and played them in their entirety in the spring of 2006.
He starred in the Lifetime Movie Network television miniseries The Capture Of The Green River Killer in which he portrayed King County sheriff David Reichert. In March 2006, Cavanagh filmed My Ex-Life, a comedy pilot for CBS about a divorced couple who remain friends. The pilot featured Lost actress Cynthia Watros as his ex-wife. CBS did not select the show for its fall 2006 schedule. Cavanagh portrayed the lead role Nick Snowden (the heir to the Santa Claus identity) in the made-for-TV movie Snow in 2005, which is shown annually on the Family Channel.
In 2008, Cavanagh appeared in the short-lived ABC series Eli Stone, playing the father of the title character. From January to April 2009, Cavanagh starred in the television drama Trust Me, co-starring Eric McCormack, which aired on TNT[11] until cancellation due to low ratings.[12]
Cavanagh hosted Stories from the Vaults on Smithsonian Networks from 2008 to 2009. He made a guest appearance in the mid-season premiere of the USA Network show Royal Pains as former professional golfer Jack O'Malley. In 2012, he starred in Lifetime's A Killer Among Us remake.[13]
From 2014 to 2021, Cavanagh was a series regular on The CW's live-action television series The Flash,[14] portraying both Eobard Thawne / Reverse-Flash and the various versions of Harrison Wells. He left the series as a regular cast member after its seventh season,[15] but continued to make recurring appearances in its eighth season and a guest appearance in its ninth and final season.[16][17] In 2023, Cavanagh began hosting the game show Hey Yahoo!.[18]
Film performances
editCavanagh starred in the 2002 film Bang Bang You're Dead. Prior to Ed, Cavanagh's film appearances were mainly in supporting roles.[4] After that series ended, he had his first starring role as an escaped convict in the thriller Heart of the Storm. In 2005, he starred in the romantic comedy Alchemy, opposite Sarah Chalke; in 2006, he appeared in another romantic comedy, Gray Matters.
In 2006, Cavanagh began filming Breakfast with Scot, in which he plays a gay retired hockey player who becomes an adoptive father to a young boy. The film, released in 2007, drew attention as the first gay-themed film ever to win approval from a major league sports franchise to use its real name and logo; Cavanagh's character formerly played for the Toronto Maple Leafs. In 2007 he starred in the second installment of the direct-to-DVD Raw Feed horror film series from Warner Home Video, Sublime. In 2008, Cavanagh starred in the Crime/Drama The Capture of the Green River Killer. He also starred as Ranger Smith in the feature film Yogi Bear (2010).
Podcast
editFrom 2010 until 2016, Cavanagh co-hosted the podcast Mike and Tom Eat Snacks, with his Ed castmate Michael Ian Black, on the Nerdist Podcast Network.[19] They re-launched the podcast in August, 2021 on the Starburns Audio podcast network.
Personal life
editCavanagh married Maureen Grise, an image editor for Sports Illustrated, on July 31, 2004, in a Catholic ceremony on Nantucket, Massachusetts.[20] The couple has two daughters and two sons.[21]
Cavanagh ran the 2006 New York City Marathon.[22]
In summer 2008, he founded the Cavanagh Classic, an annual celebrity basketball tournament in Rucker Park in Harlem to raise money and awareness for Nothing But Nets. The charity's goal is to combat malaria by sending mosquito nets to families that need them. Cavanagh travelled to Rwanda on a March 2009 United Nations Foundation trip to distribute the nets and educate the recipients in their use.[23]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | White Light | Ella's Secretary | |
| 1995 | Dangerous Intentions | Ron | |
| 1995 | Magic in the Water | Simon | |
| 1996 | Mask of Death | Joey | |
| 1996 | Midnight Heat | Bowlan | |
| 1996 | Profile for Murder | Tim Jonas | |
| 1997 | Honeymoon | Jamie | |
| 1999 | Something More | Harry | |
| 2003 | Freddy vs. Jason | Will's Father | |
| 2005 | Alchemy | Mal Downey | |
| 2006 | How to Eat Fried Worms | Mitch Forrester | |
| 2006 | Two Weeks | Barry Bergman | |
| 2006 | Gray Matters | Sam Baldwin | |
| 2007 | Sublime | George Grieves | |
| 2007 | The Cake Eaters | Lloyd | |
| 2007 | Breakfast with Scot | Eric McNally | |
| 2010 | Yogi Bear | Ranger John Smith | |
| 2013 | The Birder | Ron Spencer | |
| 2014 | The Games Maker | Mr. Drago | |
| 2015 | 400 Days | Zell | |
| 2016 | Sidekick | Darkman | |
| 2016 | Offer and Compromise | Henry Warner | |
| 2019 | Love & Debt | Henry Warner | |
| 2022 | Corrective Measures | Gordon Tweedy | [24] |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Secret Service | Charlie | 1 episode |
| 1993 | Beyond Reality | N/A | 1 episode |
| 1993 | Sherlock Holmes Returns | Rookie Cop | Television film |
| 1993 | Other Women's Children | Marco | Television film |
| 1994 | Street Legal | Dr. Peter Shenfield | 1 episode |
| 1995 | Madison | Jesus | 1 episode |
| 1995, 1999 | The Outer Limits | Carl Toman, Vance Ridout | 2 episodes |
| 1995 | Hawkeye | Corporal Charles Sykes | 1 episode |
| 1995 | A Vow to Kill | Jacey Jeffries | Television film |
| 1997 | Jake and the Kid | Paul Krause | Main role (season 2) |
| 1996 | Bloodhounds II | Levesh | Television film |
| 1997 | The Sentinel | Bill Collins | 1 episode |
| 1997 | Northern Lights | Frank | Television film |
| 1998 | Cold Squad | Spencer Taggart | 1 episode |
| 1998 | Viper | Charles Bennett | 1 episode |
| 1998 | Eyes of a Cowboy | Lonesome Cooper | 1 episode |
| 1998 | Twisteeria | Live Action Man | Television film |
| 1998 | The 900 Lives of Jackie Frye | Jackie Frye | Television film |
| 1999 | Mentors | Lewis Carroll | 1 episode |
| 1999–2000 | Providence | Doug Boyce | Recurring role, 8 episodes |
| 1999 | Oh, Grow Up | Bruce | 1 episode |
| 1999 | Anya's Bell | Patrick Birmingham | Television film |
| 1999–2000 | Sports Night | Howard | 2 episodes |
| 2000–2004 | Ed | Ed Stevens | Lead role |
| 2002 | Bang Bang You're Dead | Val Duncan | Television film |
| 2002–2009 | Scrubs | Dan Dorian | Recurring role, 7 episodes |
| 2004 | Jack & Bobby | Jimmy McCallister | 2 episodes |
| 2004 | Heart of the Storm | Simpson | Television film |
| 2004 | Snow | Nick Snowden | Television film |
| 2006 | Love Monkey | Tom Farrell | Main role |
| 2006 | My Ex Life | Nick | Television film |
| 2008 | Snow 2: Brain Freeze | Nick Snowden | Television film |
| 2008 | The Capture of the Green River Killer | Dave Reichert | Television miniseries |
| 2008–2009 | Eli Stone | Jeremy Stone | Recurring role, 7 episodes |
| 2009 | Trust Me | Conner | Main role |
| 2009 | Christmas Dreams | Eli | Television film |
| 2010 | Edgar Floats | Edgar Floats | Television film |
| 2011 | Trading Christmas | Charles Johnson | Television film |
| 2011–2012 | Royal Pains | Jack O'Malley | Recurring role, 7 episodes |
| 2012 | A Killer Among Us | Nick Carleton | Television film |
| 2013 | Doc McStuffins | Big Jack | Voice role; 1 episode |
| 2013 | The Goldbergs | Charles Kremp | 1 episode |
| 2013, 2023 | Blue Bloods | Mickey Patrick | Episodes: "Ties That Bind", "The Big Leagues" |
| 2014 | Lucky Duck | Snap | Voice role; television film |
| 2014 | The Following | Kingston Tanner | 4 episodes |
| 2014 | Undateable | Frank | 1 episode |
| 2014–2023 | The Flash | Harrison Wells, Eobard Thawne / Reverse-Flash | Main role (seasons 1–7); recurring role (seasons 7-8); guest role (season 9) |
| 2015 | Robot Chicken | Eobard Thawne | Voice role; episode: "Ants on a Hamburger" |
| 2016 | Van Helsing | Micah | 1 episode |
| 2017 | Darrow & Darrow | Miles | Television film |
| 2017, 2019 | Supergirl | Harry Wells, Eobard Thawne | Crossover episode: "Crisis on Earth-X" |
| Nash Wells / Pariah | Episodes: "The Wrath of Rama Khan" (cameo), "Crisis on Infinite Earths" | ||
| 2017–2019 | Arrow | Harry Wells, Eobard Thawne / Reverse-Flash, Sherloque Wells | Episodes: "Crisis on Earth-X", "Purgatory" (cameo), "Elseworlds" |
| 2017, 2020 | Legends of Tomorrow | Harry Wells, Eobard Thawne / Reverse-Flash | Crossover episode: "Crisis on Earth-X" |
| Nash Wells | Crossover episode: "Crisis on Infinite Earths" | ||
| 2018 | Darrow & Darrow: In the Key of Murder | Miles | Television film |
| 2018 | Darrow & Darrow: Body of Evidence | Miles | Television film |
| 2019 | Witness to Murder: A Darrow Mystery | Miles | Television film |
| 2019 | Batwoman | Nash Wells | Episode: "A Mad Tea-Party" (cameo) |
| 2023 | Hey Yahoo (Game Show)[25] | Host | Game Show |
| 2024 | Superman & Lois | Gordon Godfrey | Episode: "Sharp Dressed Man" |
Video games
edit| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Yogi Bear: The Video Game | Ranger Smith (voice role) |
Crew work
editAs a director
edit- Ed (2000–2004) – three episodes[26]
- The Flash (2017–2018) – episodes: "The Once and Future Flash",[27] "Elongated Journey Into Night"[28] and the 100th episode, "What's Past Is Prologue".[29]
- Superman & Lois (2021–2023) – two episodes: "Last Sons of Krypton", "Closer".
References
edit- ^ a b c Wyndham, Wise. "Tom Cavanagh". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on November 15, 2018. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
- ^ Hey Yahoo! (TV Series 2023– ) ⭐ 6.3 | Game-Show, archived from the original on July 11, 2023, retrieved December 6, 2023
- ^ Rothstein, Michael (July 13, 2009). "Fame And Notre Dame: Actor Tom Cavanagh". The Journal Gazette. Fort Wayne, Indiana. Archived from the original on October 13, 2014. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
That was the start of it, so to speak, and we're Irish Catholic and Notre Dame, well, they're the Irish...
- ^ a b c Blackman, Lori (November 15, 2000). "Tom Cavanagh of 'Ed'". CNN. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
My parents are educators, and they were over there putting in teaching systems in Africa
- ^ Lambie, Gordon (May 27, 2020). "Townships community mourns Tom Cavanagh". The Record. Sherbrooke, Quebec. Archived from the original on January 27, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ Ragusa, Gina (October 6, 2020). "Actor Tom Cavanagh from 'The Flash' Reveals the Most Important Life Lessons From His Father". Showbiz CheatSheet. Archived from the original on April 13, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ Ouzounian, Richard (July 11, 2014). "Canadian actor known for Ed grateful for a string of "great jobs," including The Following, The Flash and animated series on Disney Junior". Toronto Star. ISSN 0319-0781. Archived from the original on March 27, 2016. Retrieved March 18, 2016.
- ^ Oh Henry! commercial (1995). Some Old Videos. February 21, 2020. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ Labatt Blue Commercial. VideoCassettes. July 25, 2008. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2016 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Shows: Season 29 2007–2008". Archived from the original on August 14, 2014. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
- ^ Frankel, Daniel (February 4, 2009). "TNT's 'Trust Me' tumbles: USA's original series fare well against networks". Winnipeg Free Press. Archived from the original on April 21, 2019. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (April 12, 2009). "TNT cancels ad-agency drama "Trust Me"". Reuters. Archived from the original on December 25, 2015. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
- ^ Lewis, Errol (August 14, 2012). "Lifetime Premieres 'Killer Among Us' Starring Tom Cavanagh And Boris Kodjoe". Soap Opera Network. Archived from the original on August 17, 2012. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
- ^ Abrams, Natalie (February 10, 2014). "Ed's Tom Cavanagh Joins The CW's The Flash Pilot". TV Guide. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
- ^ Vary, Adam B. (May 4, 2021). "'The Flash' Stars Carlos Valdes, Tom Cavanagh Leaving After Season 7". Variety. Archived from the original on May 4, 2021. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
- ^ Drum, Nicole (June 29, 2022). "The Flash: Eric Wallace Breaks Down Reverse Flash's Fate in "Negative Part Two"". Comicbook.com. Archived from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
- ^ "Does The Flash Season 9 ending reveals a new future for Arrowverse?". Hindustan Times. May 25, 2023. Archived from the original on November 22, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
- ^ Rice, Lynette. "Tom Cavanagh To Host 'Hey Yahoo!' For Game Show Network". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 4, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ "Mike and Tom Eat Snacks on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts.
- ^ "Cage Nuptials Kick Off a Week of Weddings". People. August 5, 2004. Archived from the original on October 22, 2019. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
- ^ "My Sundance Experience in Full". Archived from the original on October 4, 2024. Retrieved December 31, 2017.
- ^ Peterson, Erin (October 29, 2008). "I'm a Runner: Tom Cavanagh". Runner's World. Archived from the original on February 13, 2012. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
- ^ Cavanagh, Tom (March 25, 2009). "Trust me, Nets Save Lives". Nothing But Nets. Archived from the original on September 14, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2009.
- ^ Hailu, Selome (September 8, 2021). "Bruce Willis and Michael Rooker to Star in Tubi's Adaptation of 'Corrective Measures'". Variety. Archived from the original on January 5, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ Hey Yahoo! (TV Series 2023– ) ⭐ 6.3 | Game-Show, archived from the original on October 4, 2024, retrieved December 6, 2023
- ^ "Flash's Tom Cavanagh Directing Time Travel Episode". CBR. March 21, 2017. Archived from the original on September 9, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
- ^ "The Flash: The Once And Future Flash Review & Discussion". Screen Rant. April 25, 2017. Archived from the original on August 13, 2017. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
- ^ Keene, Allison (October 25, 2017). "New 'The Flash' Images Introduce Danny Trejo's Breacher". Collider. Archived from the original on May 11, 2019. Retrieved May 11, 2019.
- ^ Agard, Chancellor (December 4, 2018). "'The Flash' recap: A poignant (and twisty!) journey to the past worthy of 100 episodes". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on May 11, 2019. Retrieved May 11, 2019.