Tom Willett

Thomas Willett (born 1938)

Career In April 1956 at age 17, Willett moved to Los Angeles. He produced country music records in the evenings, while working at a furniture warehouse during the day. His label was called Freeway Records and boasted releases by musicians such as Greg Penny; as well as Willett's own piano-playing alter-ego, "Herman Schmerdley". Willett invested small amounts of money in audition attire. "One of the things I did, I got an Abe Lincoln beard and hat and everything. I was Abe Lincoln in a lot of productions ... I could be a cowboy, I could be a prisoner, I could be a detective."

According to Willett, he has had "over 800 jobs in front of the camera", including over 100 films, 80 television movies and more than 145 TV programs; mostly uncredited and non-speaking roles.

YouTube channel Willett made his first YouTube video in 2006;

Called a "YouTube sensation" in the Nashville Scene, Willett's channel is titled Featureman. Online food reviewer Clayton Trutor commented in 2021 that Willett has a "refreshing appreciation for the ordinary" and "the ability to make the seemingly mundane seem awfully interesting".

Legal issues In the mid-1970s, Willett received three life sentences from a Nevada court on the grounds of "infamous crime against nature". He was placed on probation after the sentences were suspended. In 2023, he spoke of the ruling in a YouTube video which he later deleted.

Filmography (partial listing of notable television and film appearances) Year Title RoleNote 1979–1980 Vega$ Gambler / Coroner 3 episodes 1977–1982 The Incredible Hulk Match Spectator Episode: "Half Nelson" 1980 Melvin and Howard Kissing Cowboy Uncredited 1982 Happy Days Abe Lincoln Episode: "Poobah Doo Dah" 1980–1982 Quincy M.E. Various 3 episodes 1982 Grease 2 Bowling Alley Manager Uncredited 1982 Little House on the Prairie Cowboy Uncredited 1982 Airplane II: The Sequel Hospital Dipstick Patient Uncredited 1981–1983 Dynasty Hotel Guest / Man at Station 2 episodes 1983 Psycho II Grave Digger Uncredited 1983 Blood Feud Attorney Uncredited 1981–1983 Twilight Zone: The Movie K.K.K. Episode: "Time Out" 1984 Dukes of Hazzard Deputy Episode: "Cool Hands, Luke & Bo" 1985 The New Mike Hammer Funeral Director Episode: "Deadly Reunion" 1985 Hill Street Blues Arts Council / Police Official 2 episodes 1985 Murder, She Wrote Doctor Episode: "Keep the Homes Fries Burning" 1985–1986 Amazing Stories Various 3 episodes 1985–1986 L.A. Law Courtroom / Lawyer 2 episodes 1988–1992 Dear John Tom 90 episodes 1997 Bringing up Jack Abe Lincoln Episode: "The Beeper" 1997 George & Leo Mayor Episode: "The Cameo Episode" 1998 The Drew Carey Show Abe Lincoln Episode: "What’s Wrong with This Episode?" 2018–2020 The Andy Due Show Various 6 episodes 2020 Bigtop Burger Customer / Panelist 2 episodes