Tommy Ross
Encyclopedia
Thomas "Tommy" Everett Ross is one of the main characters in the horror novel Carrie
by Stephen King
.
In both of the two film adaptations, as in the book, Tommy is asked by his girlfriend Sue Snell
to take Carrie White
to the prom instead of her. Susan feels guilty for taunting Carrie in the showers of the school locker-room when she responded hysterically to her late first period
. Tommy, at first, is very reluctant but complies. Carrie is suspicious of a prank, but accepts.
In the book, in a comparison between the case of the murders committed by Carrie White and the murder of John F. Kennedy
, Tommy's role in the catastrophe is noted to be the one of Lee Harvey Oswald
.
In film, he was played by William Katt
and Tobias Mehler
.
, but wants to attend a university first. He has been dating Sue Snell
for six months and their relationship has recently become more intimate. The two of them have been planning for the Spring Ball for many weeks, but Sue feels guilty for her role in the infamous shower room incident, and asks Tommy to take Carrie to the prom in her place. Tommy complies, remembering feeling similar guilt after a similar incident in middle school.
Carrie, at first, refuses Tommy's invitation to the prom, but later agrees and sews her own dress for the prom. Realizing they are nominated for the Prom King and Queen election, Tommy insists on voting for himself and Carrie, telling her "Tonight, you go first class." When Vic Mooney announces them king and queen, they ascend the stage. Tommy realizes he loves Carrie. One of his last thoughts is that Susan was right, "I love her, and I love this one too, this Carrie... she is beautiful, the light in her eyes." Chris Hargensen and her boyfriend Billy Nolan have rigged two buckets of pig blood above the stage and pull the cord at this moment. One bucket falls on Tommy's head, fracturing his skull. Within an hour he is dead.
, he is portrayed by William Katt
as a tall handsome teen with curly blonde hair, blue eyes, and a pleasant disposition.
As in the novel, he is a popular athlete who is dating Sue Snell (Amy Irving
). Early in the movie, he writes a poem which is read in class. After the teacher encourages criticism, Carrie (Sissy Spacek
) finally speaks, saying the poem is beautiful. The teacher ridicules Carrie for her opinion, and Tommy, defending Carrie, mutters "you suck." At Sue's request, he reluctantly asks Carrie to be his prom date. He and his friends George Dawson and Freddie Holt (a.k.a. The Beak) visit a store and buy an unusual tuxedo for the prom. As in the book, he takes Carrie to the dance and meets with class clown George Dawson and his girlfriend Frieda Jason. Carrie and Tommy win Prom King and Queen, and Tommy begins to fall in love with Carrie and kisses her. When Chris (Nancy Allen
) and Billy (John Travolta
) pull the cord connected to the bucket of blood
concealed over the stage, most of the blood drenches Carrie. Tommy is infuriated, but before he can react, the bucket falls on his head, fracturing his skull and rendering him unconscious. Tommy dies in the fire that consumes the gymnasium, and his death is mentioned by Sue's mother in the epilogue.
by the Royal Shakespeare Company
. Tommy Ross was again depicted as dating Sue Snell and at her request taking Carrie to the prom. In both the London production and the Broadway
transfer the character was played by Paul Gygnell. Tommy's songs in the show include "Don't Waste the Moon" and "Do Me a Favour" (with Sue and others), "Wotta Night" (with Carrie and chorus) and the solo number "Heaven."
When the blood is poured over Carrie at the prom, Tommy tries to get to her to comfort her but is held back by his friends and forced to watch as Carrie is taunted by everyone at the prom
. Carrie then accidentally kills Tommy during her rampage (although the audience don't see this happening) causing her to realize what she is doing and stop although it's too late.
, he is portrayed by Tobias Mehler
. This version he's a tall handsome, tan skin guy with brown eyes and medium cut dark brown hair.
In a portrayal that is closer to the original story, Susan and Tommy are portrayed as sexually intimate, and their discussion as to why Tommy should ask Carrie is included in the dialogue. He comes to her house the night of the prom with a limousine, and they meet with his friend Roy Evarts (Steve Byers
) and Roy’s girlfriend and Sue’s friend Helen Shyres (Chelan Simmons
). Miss Desjarden
(Rena Sofer
) warns Tommy that his courtesy toward Carrie had better be on the level. Tommy and Carrie dance together briefly and he begins to fall in love with her. Tommy and Carrie are elected Prom King and Queen, but Chris and Billy drop the bucket of pigs blood on her. Tommy is visibly outraged at this, but before he can react, the bucket falls onto his head and fractures his skull. It is presumed that he died along with most of the other students.
Carrie (novel)
Carrie is American author Stephen King's first published novel, released in 1974. It revolves around the eponymous Carrie, a shy high-school girl, who uses her newly discovered telekinetic powers to exact revenge on those who tease her...
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 both of the two film adaptations, as in the book, Tommy is asked by his girlfriend Sue Snell
Sue Snell
Susan "Sue" D. Snell is a fictional character created by Stephen King. She was one of the main characters in his first published novel entitled Carrie....
to take Carrie White
Carrie White
Carietta "Carrie" N. White is a fictional character created by Stephen King who has the power of telekinesis.In every adaptation and portrayal of Carrie, she is shown as an outcast, loathed and taunted by her fellow students and constantly scolded by her mother, Margaret White, an abusive, mentally...
to the prom instead of her. Susan feels guilty for taunting Carrie in the showers of the school locker-room when she responded hysterically to her late first period
Menstrual cycle
The menstrual cycle is the scientific term for the physiological changes that can occur in fertile women for the purpose of sexual reproduction. This article focuses on the human menstrual cycle....
. Tommy, at first, is very reluctant but complies. Carrie is suspicious of a prank, but accepts.
In the book, in a comparison between the case of the murders committed by Carrie White and the murder of John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
, Tommy's role in the catastrophe is noted to be the one of Lee Harvey Oswald
Lee Harvey Oswald
Lee Harvey Oswald was, according to four government investigations,These were investigations by: the Federal Bureau of Investigation , the Warren Commission , the House Select Committee on Assassinations , and the Dallas Police Department. the sniper who assassinated John F...
.
In film, he was played by William Katt
William Katt
William Theodore Katt is an American film and television actor, best known as the star of The Greatest American Hero. He is also known for playing Tommy Ross, the ill-fated prom date of Carrie White in the film version of Carrie and Paul Drake Jr. in the Perry Mason TV movies...
and Tobias Mehler
Tobias Mehler
Tobias Mehler is a Canadian actor who has appeared in film and television productions. Some notable roles include d'Artagnan on Young Blades, Zak Adama on Battlestar Galactica and Lieutenant Graham Simmons in Stargate SG-1...
.
Novel
In the novel, Tommy is a popular athlete (specifically, a baseball player) of Thomas Ewen High School, but is described as more than a mere "jock". He is a gifted student who has had his poetry published in literary journals. He's been scouted by the Boston Red SoxBoston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, but wants to attend a university first. He has been dating Sue Snell
Sue Snell
Susan "Sue" D. Snell is a fictional character created by Stephen King. She was one of the main characters in his first published novel entitled Carrie....
for six months and their relationship has recently become more intimate. The two of them have been planning for the Spring Ball for many weeks, but Sue feels guilty for her role in the infamous shower room incident, and asks Tommy to take Carrie to the prom in her place. Tommy complies, remembering feeling similar guilt after a similar incident in middle school.
Carrie, at first, refuses Tommy's invitation to the prom, but later agrees and sews her own dress for the prom. Realizing they are nominated for the Prom King and Queen election, Tommy insists on voting for himself and Carrie, telling her "Tonight, you go first class." When Vic Mooney announces them king and queen, they ascend the stage. Tommy realizes he loves Carrie. One of his last thoughts is that Susan was right, "I love her, and I love this one too, this Carrie... she is beautiful, the light in her eyes." Chris Hargensen and her boyfriend Billy Nolan have rigged two buckets of pig blood above the stage and pull the cord at this moment. One bucket falls on Tommy's head, fracturing his skull. Within an hour he is dead.
1976 film
In the 1976 film of the novelNovel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
, he is portrayed by William Katt
William Katt
William Theodore Katt is an American film and television actor, best known as the star of The Greatest American Hero. He is also known for playing Tommy Ross, the ill-fated prom date of Carrie White in the film version of Carrie and Paul Drake Jr. in the Perry Mason TV movies...
as a tall handsome teen with curly blonde hair, blue eyes, and a pleasant disposition.
As in the novel, he is a popular athlete who is dating Sue Snell (Amy Irving
Amy Irving
Amy Davis Irving is an American actress, known for her roles in the films Crossing Delancey, The Fury, Carrie, and Yentl as well as acclaimed roles on Broadway and Off-Broadway. She has been nominated for an Academy Award, two Golden Globes, and has won an Obie award...
). Early in the movie, he writes a poem which is read in class. After the teacher encourages criticism, Carrie (Sissy Spacek
Sissy Spacek
Sissy Spacek is an American actress and singer. She came to international prominence for her for role as Carrie White in Brian De Palma's 1976 horror film Carrie for which she earned her first Academy Award nomination...
) finally speaks, saying the poem is beautiful. The teacher ridicules Carrie for her opinion, and Tommy, defending Carrie, mutters "you suck." At Sue's request, he reluctantly asks Carrie to be his prom date. He and his friends George Dawson and Freddie Holt (a.k.a. The Beak) visit a store and buy an unusual tuxedo for the prom. As in the book, he takes Carrie to the dance and meets with class clown George Dawson and his girlfriend Frieda Jason. Carrie and Tommy win Prom King and Queen, and Tommy begins to fall in love with Carrie and kisses her. When Chris (Nancy Allen
Nancy Allen (actress)
Nancy Anne Allen is a Golden Globe nominated American actress and cancer activist.Allen began an acting and modelling career as a child, and from the mid-1970s appeared in small film roles, most notably the anchor of Robert Zemeckis's ensemble comedy I Wanna Hold Your Hand...
) and Billy (John Travolta
John Travolta
John Joseph Travolta is an American actor, dancer and singer. Travolta first became known in the 1970s, after appearing on the television series Welcome Back, Kotter and starring in the box office successes Saturday Night Fever and Grease...
) pull the cord connected to the bucket of blood
Blood
Blood is a specialized bodily fluid in animals that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells....
concealed over the stage, most of the blood drenches Carrie. Tommy is infuriated, but before he can react, the bucket falls on his head, fracturing his skull and rendering him unconscious. Tommy dies in the fire that consumes the gymnasium, and his death is mentioned by Sue's mother in the epilogue.
1988 musical
In 1988 the property was adapted into a musicalCarrie (musical)
Carrie: The Musical is a musical with a book by Lawrence D. Cohen, lyrics by Dean Pitchford, and music by Michael Gore. Adapted from Stephen King's novel Carrie, it focuses on an awkward teenage girl with telekinetic powers whose lonely life is dominated by an oppressive religious fanatic mother...
by the Royal Shakespeare Company
Royal Shakespeare Company
The Royal Shakespeare Company is a major British theatre company, based in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England. The company employs 700 staff and produces around 20 productions a year from its home in Stratford-upon-Avon and plays regularly in London, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and on tour across...
. Tommy Ross was again depicted as dating Sue Snell and at her request taking Carrie to the prom. In both the London production and the Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
transfer the character was played by Paul Gygnell. Tommy's songs in the show include "Don't Waste the Moon" and "Do Me a Favour" (with Sue and others), "Wotta Night" (with Carrie and chorus) and the solo number "Heaven."
When the blood is poured over Carrie at the prom, Tommy tries to get to her to comfort her but is held back by his friends and forced to watch as Carrie is taunted by everyone at the prom
Prom
In the United States and Canada, a prom, short for promenade, is a formal dance, or gathering of high school students. It is typically held near the end of the senior year. It figures greatly in popular culture and is a major event among high school students...
. Carrie then accidentally kills Tommy during her rampage (although the audience don't see this happening) causing her to realize what she is doing and stop although it's too late.
2002 film
In the 2002 version remakeCarrie (2002 film)
Carrie is a 2002 horror television film based on the novel Carrie by Stephen King, originally intended as a pilot for a TV series in which Carrie moves to Florida to help others with telekinetic problems, which never materialized...
, he is portrayed by Tobias Mehler
Tobias Mehler
Tobias Mehler is a Canadian actor who has appeared in film and television productions. Some notable roles include d'Artagnan on Young Blades, Zak Adama on Battlestar Galactica and Lieutenant Graham Simmons in Stargate SG-1...
. This version he's a tall handsome, tan skin guy with brown eyes and medium cut dark brown hair.
In a portrayal that is closer to the original story, Susan and Tommy are portrayed as sexually intimate, and their discussion as to why Tommy should ask Carrie is included in the dialogue. He comes to her house the night of the prom with a limousine, and they meet with his friend Roy Evarts (Steve Byers
Steve Byers
Steve Byers is a Canadian actor.Byers was born in Scarborough, Ontario. At a young age he had a passion for acting. Graduating with the top award for Excellence in Drama from the Arts program at Unionville High School, Byers continued his study of the acting craft at the University of Western...
) and Roy’s girlfriend and Sue’s friend Helen Shyres (Chelan Simmons
Chelan Simmons
Chelan Simmons is a Canadian actress, professional model and performer.-Early life:Simmons was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, the middle child of three .-Career:...
). Miss Desjarden
Rita Desjardin
Miss Rita L. Desjardin is a fictional character created by Stephen King for his horror novel Carrie. In the film versions, she was portrayed by Betty Buckley and Rena Sofer. She was portrayed in the musical by Darlene Love .-Novel:In the book, she at first feels the same disgust everyone feels...
(Rena Sofer
Rena Sofer
Rena Sherel Sofer is an American actress, primarily known for her appearances in daytime television, episodic guest appearances, and made-for-television movies...
) warns Tommy that his courtesy toward Carrie had better be on the level. Tommy and Carrie dance together briefly and he begins to fall in love with her. Tommy and Carrie are elected Prom King and Queen, but Chris and Billy drop the bucket of pigs blood on her. Tommy is visibly outraged at this, but before he can react, the bucket falls onto his head and fractures his skull. It is presumed that he died along with most of the other students.