Obit: Tom Sizemore - Accomplished Actor Passes Away at 61

Tom Sizemore, an acclaimed actor known mainly for his intense performances in films such as “Saving Private Ryan" and “Heat," passed away on Friday, March 3, 2023, at the age of 61. His manager Charles Lago confirmed that he had died peacefully in his sleep after suffering a brain aneurysm.

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Early Life and Career Beginnings

Thomas Edward Sizemore Jr., commonly known as Tom, was born on November 29, 1961 in Detroit, Michigan. He attended Wayne State University, where he majored in acting, but dropped out after two years to pursue a career in the entertainment industry.

Early Career Success

Sizemore began his acting career in his twenties doing small guest spots on various television shows, including “L.A. Law," “China Beach," and “Thirtysomething." He made his feature film debut in 1990 with a supporting role in “Born on the Fourth of July," followed by appearances in “ JFK" (1991) and “True Romance" (1993).

In 1998, he earned critical acclaim for his portrayal of Sergeant Horvath in the war film “Saving Private Ryan," opposite Tom Hanks and Matt Damon. He went on to share the screen with some of Hollywood’s most notable actors, including Al Pacino, Robert De Niro and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Legal Troubles

Sizemore's career was derailed in 2003 when he was convicted of domestic violence against former girlfriend and Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss. The conviction landed him six months in jail. After being released on probation, he was re-arrested for violating his probation for using crystal meth.

Rehab and Later Film Roles

In 2010, Sizemore starred in the VH1 reality series “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew," which focused on his battle with drug addiction. He also appeared on the show "Dr. Phil" to discuss his legal struggles and drug use. After several years of sobriety, he returned to acting with a handful of film roles including “Playing for Keeps" in 2012 and “The Scientist" in 2016.

Later Years and Death

In his later years, Sizemore continued to appear in a variety of television shows and films. He wrote a memoir in 2019 and had been doing promotional tours for the book when he suddenly died from a brain aneurysm. He passed away peacefully at his home in California on March 3, 2023.

Legacy

Tom Sizemore was remembered as an intense and accomplished actor with a tumultuous personal life. His colleagues praised him for his talent and expressed their condolences on social media. Sizemore is survived by his son Jagger, from his relationship with actress Maeve Quinlan.