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Thomas Penn "Tommy" Newsom was a saxophone player in the NBC Orchestra on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, for which he later became assistant director. Newsom was frequently the band's substitute director, whenever Doc Severinsen was away from the show or filling in for announcer Ed McMahon. Nicknamed "Mr. Excitement" by Johnny Carson as an ironic take on his low-keyed, reserved persona, he was often a foil for Carson's humor. His conservative brown or blue suits were a marked contrast to Severinsen's flashy stage clothing.
Birth Name
Thomas Penn Newsom
Born
Monday, 25 February 1929
Died
Saturday, 28 April 2007
Actor Filmography
Title | Character | Year |
---|
E! Mysteries & Scandals | Self | 1998 |
Late Show with David Letterman | Self - Musical Support | 1993 |
The Larry Sanders Show | Tommy Newsom | 1992 |
Blossom | Tommy Newsom | 1990 |
ALF | Tommy Newsom | 1986 |
American Masters | Self | 1986 |
Newhart | Tommy Newsom | 1982 |
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson | Himself - Bandleader / Himself - Substitute Bandleader / Himself / Himself - The Tonight Show Band: Saxophone / Self - Substitute Bandleader / Himself - The Tonight Show Band: Saxophone (as Tommy) / Himself - Announcer / Himself - Substitute Announcer / Himself - Guest | 1962 |
Actor Filmography
Title | Character | Year |
---|
E! Mysteries & Scandals | Self | 1998 |
Late Show with David Letterman | Self - Musical Support | 1993 |
The Larry Sanders Show | Tommy Newsom | 1992 |
Blossom | Tommy Newsom | 1990 |
ALF | Tommy Newsom | 1986 |
American Masters | Self | 1986 |
Newhart | Tommy Newsom | 1982 |
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson | Himself - Bandleader / Himself - Substitute Bandleader / Himself / Himself - The Tonight Show Band: Saxophone / Self - Substitute Bandleader / Himself - The Tonight Show Band: Saxophone (as Tommy) / Himself - Announcer / Himself - Substitute Announcer / Himself - Guest | 1962 |
Year | Type | Category | Won |
---|
1988 | Emmy | Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction | Nominated |
1986 | Emmy | Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction | Won |
1985 | Emmy | Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction | Nominated |
1982 | Emmy | Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction | Won |