Tom Sawyer

TOM SAWYER

Bio

 

Born and raised in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Tom grew up with a deep love for performing, putting on a show (didn’t matter if it was the front or the back of a classroom), clam cakes, chowder and Drake’s Funny Bones! In 1977, after high school Tom wasn’t sure what he wanted to do with his life, but he know it wasn’t working in the produce department of the local Stop N’ Shop. He followed his parents to Florida where he got heavily involved in theater and in a production of the thriller “Child’s Play”. Tom befriended a follow actor who introduced him to New College. While Tom never was an actual student, he did take advantage of a glaring hole in the school's curriculum, which had no true Arts department. 

 

There he become a real life version of Wes Anderson’s Rushmore character, Max Fischer. He directed several plays, started an Improv Troupe, Rancid City Improv, performed stand-up comedy, performed his own comedic poetry at actual poetry readings and put on some pretty great parties. All the while starring in theater productions of "Barefoot In The Park”, "Jesus Christ Superstar”, "Sherlock Holmes” and "Boys In The Band”. It was at this time, a close friend brought up moving to San Francisco, the lightbulb went on and he knew that sounded like just the place he needed to be. 

 

In 1982, Tom settled into The Bay Area, and he knew this would be his forever home. He started signing up to perform stand-up at The Holy City Zoo and eventually at a little club in San Francisco’s Marina District, Cobb’s Pub. It was here where Tom figured out the workings of the nightclub business and in 1983 he started booking the club. He expanded the roster of comics to Los Angeles, New York and Boston. Bringing in the best of the best, this 110 seat club headlined Jerry Seinfeld, Dana Carvey, Richard Lewis, Ellen DeGeneres, Bob Saget, Paula Poundstone, Robert Townsend, Bill Maher, Bobcat Goldthwait, Sam Kinison, Kevin Pollak and so many others. At this time it also became home to local resident and superstar Robin Williams, who would perform on average 30 times a year for years to come. 

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In 1988 Cobb's Pub changed its name to Cobb's Comedy Club and moved to its new home in The Cannery, located in San Francisco’s famed Fisherman’s Wharf. Tom proudly became of owner the club along with his then wife, Carolyn Sawyer. Tom brought in bigger acts to go with their already star studded line-ups Jim Carrey, Brian Regan, Jake Johannsen, Rob Becker (Defending The Caveman). Rita Rudner, Judd Apatow, George Wallace, Tom Kenny and so many more. 

 

In 1992 Tom ushered in a new era of comedians, Patton Oswalt, Marc Maron, Janeane Garofalo, Joe Rogan, Sarah Silverman, were just a few to come out of this pack. Unfortunately, in 2003 the building across the courtyard from Cobb’s caught fire during renovation, causing extensive smoke and water damage forcing Cobb's to closed it’s Cannery location. 

 

One door closes, another opens, literally. With generous loans and gifts for some of its famous alumni, in 2004 Cobb’s moved to its current North Beach location. In 2005, after much reflection, Tom accepted an offer from Live Nation to buy the club. He stayed on as booker until 2012. 

 

While trying to figure out what to do next in his life after Cobb’s, famed comedian and voice actor Carlos Alazraqui (Rocco’s Modern World, the Taco Bell Chihuahua) who knew Tom was an excellent celebrity impersonator, told him he should get into voice acting. His former acting career and classes at Sausalito’s famed VO school VoiceTrax paid off. In 2017 Tom signed with JE Talent in San Francisco and Aperture Talent in Los Angeles and is enjoying being creative again as a professional VO talent.

 

Tom Sawyer currently resides in Mill Valley with his wife Maureen Machanich, along with their beloved pets Vito, Leeloo, Hannah and Billy.