Tommy Lee Wallace
Encyclopedia
Tommy Lee Wallace is an American
film producer
, director
and screenwriter
.
He is best known for directing Halloween III: Season of the Witch
and It
.
to Robert G. Wallace, and his wife Kathleen Wallace. He has one sister, Linda. He grew up in Bowling Green
, KY and attended high school at Western Kentucky University teachers training school (aka College High).
MFA program in Film production at University Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
, directed by longtime friend John Carpenter
, with whom he had previously worked on 1974's Dark Star
, a low budget science fiction comedy that took years to make. In 1978, he served as production designer and co-editor of Halloween
, also directed by Carpenter. In 1980, he followed up his work as editor and production designer for Halloween by serving in the same capacity for Carpenter's next theatrical release The Fog
. In addition to his duties as editor and production designer, Wallace also appeared in Halloween intermittently as The Shape (the masked Michael Myers
) and in The Fog as several different ghosts.
, John Carpenter, serving as producer, offered the directorial responsibilities to Wallace. After careful deliberation Wallace declined, citing disappointment with the script. Wallace did, however, write and direct the third film, Halloween III: Season of the Witch
, he was also in the film as the announcer on the Silver Shamrock commercial.
starring Roddy McDowell. In 1990, he served as writer and director of the made-for-television miniseries It
based on the novel by Stephen King
. In 2002, he directed Vampires: Los Muertos
, a sequel to the 1998 film Vampires directed by John Carpenter.
who appeared as Annie in Halloween and Halloween II and as Mrs. Challis in Halloween III. Together, they have two daughters.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
film producer
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
, director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
and screenwriter
Screenwriter
Screenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which mass media such as films, television programs, Comics or video games are based.-Profession:...
.
He is best known for directing Halloween III: Season of the Witch
Halloween III: Season of the Witch
Halloween III: Season of the Witch is a 1982 science fiction horror film and the third installment in the Halloween film series. It is the only Halloween where the story does not revolve around Michael Myers. Directed and written by Tommy Lee Wallace, the film stars Tom Atkins as Dr. Dan Challis,...
and It
It (1990 film)
It is a 1990 horror television miniseries based on the novel of the same name. The story revolves around an inter-dimensional predatory life-form that is simply referred to as "It", which has the ability to transform itself into its prey's worst fears allowing it to exploit the fears and phobias...
.
Early life
Born Thomas Lee Wallace in Somerset, KentuckySomerset, Kentucky
The major demographic differences between the city and the micropolitan area relate to income, housing composition and age. The micropolitan area, as compared to the incorporated city, is more suburban in flavor and has a significantly younger housing stock, a higher income, and contains most of...
to Robert G. Wallace, and his wife Kathleen Wallace. He has one sister, Linda. He grew up in Bowling Green
Bowling Green, Kentucky
Bowling Green is the third-most populous city in the state of Kentucky after Louisville and Lexington, with a population of 58,067 as of the 2010 Census. It is the county seat of Warren County and the principal city of the Bowling Green, Kentucky Metropolitan Statistical Area with an estimated 2009...
, KY and attended high school at Western Kentucky University teachers training school (aka College High).
Education
BFA in Design from Ohio University, Athens, OHMFA program in Film production at University Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Early film work
Wallace began to realize his dream of working in the film business in 1976 when he worked as the sound effects editor and art director on Assault on Precinct 13Assault on Precinct 13 (1976 film)
Assault on Precinct 13 is a 1976 American action-thriller film written and directed by John Carpenter. It stars Austin Stoker as a police officer who defends a defunct precinct against an attack by a relentless criminal gang, along with Darwin Joston as a convicted murderer who helps him. Laurie...
, directed by longtime friend John Carpenter
John Carpenter
John Howard Carpenter is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, editor, composer, and occasional actor. Although Carpenter has worked in numerous film genres in his four-decade career, his name is most commonly associated with horror and science fiction.- Early life :Carpenter was born...
, with whom he had previously worked on 1974's Dark Star
Dark Star (film)
Dark Star is a 1974 American comedic science fiction motion picture directed by John Carpenter and co-written with Dan O'Bannon.-Backstory and plot:...
, a low budget science fiction comedy that took years to make. In 1978, he served as production designer and co-editor of Halloween
Halloween
Hallowe'en , also known as Halloween or All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly holiday observed around the world on October 31, the night before All Saints' Day...
, also directed by Carpenter. In 1980, he followed up his work as editor and production designer for Halloween by serving in the same capacity for Carpenter's next theatrical release The Fog
The Fog
The Fog is a 1980 horror film directed by John Carpenter, who also co-wrote the screenplay and composed the music for the film. It stars Adrienne Barbeau, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Atkins and Janet Leigh...
. In addition to his duties as editor and production designer, Wallace also appeared in Halloween intermittently as The Shape (the masked Michael Myers
Michael Myers
Michael Myers may refer to:*Michael Myers , sixth Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New Zealand*Michael Myers , New York politician...
) and in The Fog as several different ghosts.
Directorial debut
For Halloween IIHalloween II
Halloween II is a 1981 slasher film directed by Rick Rosenthal, and written by John Carpenter and Debra Hill. It is the second installment in the Halloween series and is a direct sequel to the Halloween set on the same night of October 31, 1978 as the seemingly unkillable Michael Myers continues to...
, John Carpenter, serving as producer, offered the directorial responsibilities to Wallace. After careful deliberation Wallace declined, citing disappointment with the script. Wallace did, however, write and direct the third film, Halloween III: Season of the Witch
Halloween III: Season of the Witch
Halloween III: Season of the Witch is a 1982 science fiction horror film and the third installment in the Halloween film series. It is the only Halloween where the story does not revolve around Michael Myers. Directed and written by Tommy Lee Wallace, the film stars Tom Atkins as Dr. Dan Challis,...
, he was also in the film as the announcer on the Silver Shamrock commercial.
Work over the years
Wallace has continued to write and direct. In 1988, he co-wrote and directed the sequel Fright Night IIFright Night II
Fright Night Part II is the 1988 sequel to Fright Night. William Ragsdale and Roddy McDowall both reprised their roles from the first movie. The sequel was directed by Tommy Lee Wallace. Composer Brad Fiedel also returned with another distinct synthesizer score...
starring Roddy McDowell. In 1990, he served as writer and director of the made-for-television miniseries It
It (1990 film)
It is a 1990 horror television miniseries based on the novel of the same name. The story revolves around an inter-dimensional predatory life-form that is simply referred to as "It", which has the ability to transform itself into its prey's worst fears allowing it to exploit the fears and phobias...
based on the novel by Stephen King
Stephen King
Stephen Edwin King is an American author of contemporary horror, suspense, science fiction and fantasy fiction. His books have sold more than 350 million copies and have been adapted into a number of feature films, television movies and comic books...
. In 2002, he directed Vampires: Los Muertos
Vampires: Los Muertos
Vampires : Los Muertos is a 2002 sequel to John Carpenter's Vampires starring Jon Bon Jovi in the role of a vampire hunter. The film is not a direct sequel but takes place within the same universe as the first film. This film is produced by John Carpenter. Cristián de la Fuente and Natasha Gregson...
, a sequel to the 1998 film Vampires directed by John Carpenter.
Publicity
Interview- Gorezone Magazine (USA) 1988, Iss. 3, pg. 44-47, by: Marc Shapiro, "Tommy Lee Wallace Leaves the Carpenter Nest"
Personal life
Wallace is also credited as 'Tommy L. Wallace', 'Tommy Wallace' and 'Tom Wallace'. He is divorced from actress Nancy KyesNancy Kyes
Nancy Louise Kyes is an American film and television actress. In most of her film appearances, she is credited under her stage name Nancy Loomis. She is known for her role as the teenage babysitter, Annie Brackett, in John Carpenter's 1978 horror classic slasher film Halloween.-Early life:Kyes was...
who appeared as Annie in Halloween and Halloween II and as Mrs. Challis in Halloween III. Together, they have two daughters.
Directed films
- Halloween III: Season of the WitchHalloween III: Season of the WitchHalloween III: Season of the Witch is a 1982 science fiction horror film and the third installment in the Halloween film series. It is the only Halloween where the story does not revolve around Michael Myers. Directed and written by Tommy Lee Wallace, the film stars Tom Atkins as Dr. Dan Challis,...
(1982) - The Twilight ZoneThe Twilight ZoneThe Twilight Zone is an American television anthology series created by Rod Serling. Each episode is a mixture of self-contained drama, psychological thriller, fantasy, science fiction, suspense, or horror, often concluding with a macabre or unexpected twist...
(1985–1986)- Wordplay/Dreams for Sale/Chameleon (TV episode) (segment "Dreams for Sale")
- Little Boy Lost/Wish Bank/Nightcrawlers (TV episode) (segment "Little Boy Lost")
- The Leprechaun-Artist/Dead Run (TV episode) (segment "The Leprechaun-Artist")
- Max HeadroomMax Headroom (TV series)Max Headroom is a British-produced American science fiction television series by Chrysalis/Lakeside Productions that aired in the United States on ABC from March 1987 to May 1988. The series was based on the Channel 4 British TV pilot Max Headroom: 20 Minutes into the Future...
(1987)- Security Systems (TV episode)
- The Blanks (TV episode)
- Tour of DutyTour of Duty (TV series)Tour of Duty is an American drama television series on CBS. It ran for three seasons from September 1987 to April 1990 as 58 one–hour episodes. The show was created by Steve Duncan and L. Travis Clark, and produced by Zev Braun....
(1987) - Aloha Summer (1988)
- Fright Night Part 2Fright Night IIFright Night Part II is the 1988 sequel to Fright Night. William Ragsdale and Roddy McDowall both reprised their roles from the first movie. The sequel was directed by Tommy Lee Wallace. Composer Brad Fiedel also returned with another distinct synthesizer score...
(1988) - CBS Summer PlayhouseCBS Summer PlayhouseCBS Summer Playhouse is an American anthology series that ran from June 12, 1987 to August 22, 1989 on CBS. It aired unsold television pilots during the summer season.-Overview:...
(1989)- Outpost (TV episode)
- BaywatchBaywatchBaywatch is an American action drama series about the Los Angeles County Lifeguards who patrol the beaches of Los Angeles County, California, starring David Hasselhoff. The show ran in its original title and format from 1989 to 1999, sans the 1990-1991 season, of which it was not in production...
(1989)- Cruise Ship (TV episode)
- ItIt (1990 film)It is a 1990 horror television miniseries based on the novel of the same name. The story revolves around an inter-dimensional predatory life-form that is simply referred to as "It", which has the ability to transform itself into its prey's worst fears allowing it to exploit the fears and phobias...
(1990) - And the Sea Will TellAnd the Sea Will TellAnd the Sea Will Tell is a true crime book by Vincent Bugliosi and Bruce B. Henderson. The nonfiction book, a New York Times #1 hardcover bestseller and still in print as a trade paperback, recounts a double murder on Palmyra Atoll and the subsequent arrest, trial and conviction of Duane Walker,...
(1991) - The Comrades of SummerThe Comrades of SummerThe Comrades of Summer is a made-for-TV movie from 1992 featuring Joe Mantegna. It was directed by Tommy Lee Wallace, written by Robert Rodat and aired on HBO.-Plot:...
(1992) - Danger IslandDanger IslandDanger Island is the westernmost and the southernmost island of the Great Chagos Bank, which is the world's largest coral atoll structure, located in the Chagos Archipelago.-Description:...
(1992) - Witness to the ExecutionWitness to the ExecutionWitness to the Execution is a 1994 made-for-TV movie. Its plot concerns a fictional television network's desire to carry the live execution of a condemned killer as a pay-per-view event. It also portrays the events surrounding the attempt to create a television show about the execution. This...
(1994) - Green Dolphin Beat (1994)
- FlipperFlipper (1995 TV series)Flipper, is an American revival television series of the original 1964 Flipper television series. The first two seasons aired in first-run syndication; seasons 3 and 4 aired on the PAX network....
(1995) - Once You Meet a StrangerOnce You Meet a StrangerOnce You Meet a Stranger is a 1996 Warner Bros. Television thriller directed by Tommy Lee Wallace. It is a remake of Alfred Hitchcock's Strangers on a Train. Yet in the remake the genders of the principal characters have been switched from male to female...
(1996) - Steel Chariots (1997)
- The Spree (1998)
- Final JusticeFinal JusticeFinal Justice is a 1984 film starring Joe Don Baker and directed by Greydon Clark. It follows the exploits of a Texas sheriff who overturns a Maltese city to find the mobster who killed his partner...
(1998) - Vampires: Los MuertosVampires: Los MuertosVampires : Los Muertos is a 2002 sequel to John Carpenter's Vampires starring Jon Bon Jovi in the role of a vampire hunter. The film is not a direct sequel but takes place within the same universe as the first film. This film is produced by John Carpenter. Cristián de la Fuente and Natasha Gregson...
(2002) - Helliversity (2010)
Awards
| Year | Result | Award | Category/Recipient(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Nominated | Saturn Award Saturn Award The Saturn Award is an award presented annually by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films to honor the top works in science fiction, fantasy, and horror in film, television, and home video. The Saturn Awards were devised by Dr. Donald A. Reed in 1972, who felt that films within... |
Best Special Effects Saturn Award for Best Special Effects The following are a list of Saturn Award winners for Best Special Effects:... for The Fog The Fog The Fog is a 1980 horror film directed by John Carpenter, who also co-wrote the screenplay and composed the music for the film. It stars Adrienne Barbeau, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Atkins and Janet Leigh... Shared with: Richard Albain James F. Liles |
| 1991 | Won | ACE Award CableACE Award The CableACE Award was an award that was given from 1978 to 1997 to honor excellence in American cable television programming... |
Writing a Movie or Miniseries for El Diablo El Diablo El Diablo may refer to:* Spanish for the Devil*El Diablo , an album by Italian rock band Litfiba*El Diablo , several fictional characters from DC Comics*El Diablo , a fictional Superhero in the video game Freedom Force... Shared with: John Carpenter John Carpenter John Howard Carpenter is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, editor, composer, and occasional actor. Although Carpenter has worked in numerous film genres in his four-decade career, his name is most commonly associated with horror and science fiction.- Early life :Carpenter was born... Bill Phillips Bill Phillips Bill Phillips may refer to:*Bill Phillips , fitness and nutrition author*Bill Phillips , Canadian baseball player... |
| 1989 | Nominated | International Fantasy Film Award Award An award is something given to a person or a group of people to recognize excellence in a certain field; a certificate of excellence. Awards are often signifiedby trophies, titles, certificates, commemorative plaques, medals, badges, pins, or ribbons... |
Best Film Film A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects... for Fright Night Part 2 Fright Night II Fright Night Part II is the 1988 sequel to Fright Night. William Ragsdale and Roddy McDowall both reprised their roles from the first movie. The sequel was directed by Tommy Lee Wallace. Composer Brad Fiedel also returned with another distinct synthesizer score... |
Acting
- Vampires: Los MuertosVampires: Los MuertosVampires : Los Muertos is a 2002 sequel to John Carpenter's Vampires starring Jon Bon Jovi in the role of a vampire hunter. The film is not a direct sequel but takes place within the same universe as the first film. This film is produced by John Carpenter. Cristián de la Fuente and Natasha Gregson...
(2002) - The Boy Who Could FlyThe Boy Who Could FlyThe Boy Who Could Fly is a 1986 film written and directed by Nick Castle. It was produced by Lorimar Productions for 20th Century Fox and released to movie theatres on August 14, 1986....
(1986) - Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)
- The FogThe FogThe Fog is a 1980 horror film directed by John Carpenter, who also co-wrote the screenplay and composed the music for the film. It stars Adrienne Barbeau, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Atkins and Janet Leigh...
(1980)