Thomas D. Thomas, a commercial film director and character actor, died in his sleep on January 1 of pneumonia and congestive heart failure in Santa Monica. He was 81. Born in Chicago on March 23, 1924, Thomas was a B-24 pilot in World War II. He attended Northwestern and studied at the Goodman Theatre and at Columbia College, both in Chicago. He had a background as a commercial artist, cartoonist and advertising agency producer before becoming a director of commercials and industrial films. He and his wife of 60 years, Carol, came to Pacific Palisades in 1959 when Thomas was the agency producer for the “Jack Benny Show.” As an actor, Thomas had stage, movie and television credits. His first feature was “My Six Loves” starring Debbie Reynolds in the 1960s, which earned him his last residual check of 99 cents. He was well known in community theater circles. Locally, he appeared in shows at the Morgan-Wixson and Theatre 40, and in more than 20 shows with Theatre Palisades, including “Tribute,” “Mr. Roberts” and ” The Fantastiks.” He is survived by his wife, Carol; daugher Ellie Shartle and grandchildren Andrew and Emily of West Linn, Oregon; and several nieces and nephews. There will be no public service, and the family requests that memorials be sent to a charity of choice.
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