Tom Waits Biography: Movies, Albums, Songs, Awards, Age, Net Worth, Wikipedia, Nationality, Ethnicity, Wife, Children, Parents, Siblings

Tom Waits is an American singer-songwriter and actor. He gained prominence in the 1970s, particularly with his debut album Closing Time, released in 1973.

This album showcased his unique storytelling ability and laid the foundation for a career characterized by innovative soundscapes and vivid lyrical imagery.

Profile

• Full name: Thomas Alan Waits
• Date of birth: December 7, 1949
• Age: 76 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Pomona, California, USA
• Nationality: American
• Profession: Musician, Actor, Songwriter
• Height: 5’9
• Parents: Jesse Frank Waits (father), Alma Fern Johnson (mother)
• Siblings: One older sister, one younger sister
• Spouse: Kathleen Brennan
• Children: Kellesimone Wylder Waits, Casey Waits, Frank Waits
• Relationship status: Married
• Religion: N/A
• Ethnicity: Scots-Irish, Norwegian
• Net worth: $30 million

Early Life and Education

Tom Waits is now at the age of 76 and was born on December 7, 1949. He grew up in Pomona, California, in a family that exhibited a blend of cultural influences.

His father, Jesse Frank Waits, was a schoolteacher originally from Texas with Scots-Irish roots. His mother, Alma Fern Johnson, hailed from Oregon and had Norwegian ancestry. The family lived in Whittier before relocating to Chula Vista after his parents separated when he was ten years old.

During his childhood, Waits attended Jordan Elementary School and later O’Farrell Community School. He began playing instruments like the bugle and guitar at a young age.

The separation of his parents marked a significant moment in his life; it led to a change in environment that affected him deeply. As a teenager, he attended Hilltop High School but dropped out at age 18 to pursue music more seriously.

Waits worked various jobs during his youth, including at a pizza restaurant and as a fireman with the forestry service. He briefly studied photography at Southwestern Community College but ultimately focused on developing his musical talent.

By the late 1960s, he was performing in local coffeehouses and clubs in California’s folk scene where he drew inspiration from jazz and blues artists.

Personal Life

Tom Waits married playwright Kathleen Brennan on August 10, 1980. The couple met while he was working on the film Paradise Alley in which she served as a story editor.

Their relationship has been characterized by mutual support in their artistic endeavors; Brennan has been credited as a significant influence on Waits’ work since their marriage. Together they have three children: Kellesimone Wylder Waits, Casey Waits, and Frank Waits.

Career

Tom Waits began his career in the early 1970s after signing with Asylum Records. His debut album Closing Time established him as a promising new artist with its blend of folk and jazz influences.

Throughout the late ’70s and early ’80s, he released several albums that explored themes of urban life and human experience through rich storytelling.

In 1983, he transitioned to Island Records and released Swordfishtrombones, which marked a significant shift in his musical style towards more experimental sounds. This album was followed by critically acclaimed works such as Rain Dogs (1985) and Bone Machine (1992), solidifying his reputation as an innovative musician.

In addition to music, Waits has acted in various films including Down by Law, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and Wristcutters: A Love Story. He also composed soundtracks for films such as One from the Heart, which earned him an Academy Award nomination.

Awards

• Grammy Awards:
• Best Contemporary Folk Album for Bone Machine (1999)
• Best Contemporary Folk Album for Mule Variations (2000)
• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee (2011)
• Nominations:
• Academy Award for Best Original Song for One from the Heart

Net Worth

Tom Waits’ net worth is estimated to be around $30 million. His wealth primarily stems from his successful music career spanning several decades, including album sales, concert tours, and royalties from songwriting.

Social Media

• Instagram: N/A
• Twitter: N/A

Filmography

• Down by Law
• Bram Stoker’s Dracula
• Wristcutters: A Love Story
• Paradise Alley
• One from the Heart

Discography

• Closing Time
• The Heart of Saturday Night
• Nighthawks at the Diner
• Small Change
• Blue Valentine
• Heartattack and Vine
• Swordfishtrombones
• Rain Dogs
• Frank’s Wild Years
• Bone Machine
• Mule Variations
• Real Gone
• Bad as Me

Books

• The Imagination of an Artist
• The Last Leaf
• The Night Owl
• Lyrics: 1980-2010