I am so excited to catch up with Actor, Writer, Teacher & Director Thomas G. Waites as he gets ready to perform his NEW one-man show, Lucky Man - A Warrior's Journey, a Rock & ‘Role’ Monologue, which is being produced by Emmy & Golden Globe Winner John Goodman.

In this NEW interview, Thomas once again answered my call, but this time around he shares:

• How John Goodman not only named his rock band, but is now producing his show Lucky Man
• What part of Thomas' story he feels audiences will relate to most
• How he hopes Lucky Man will help others
• Why he feels like a Lucky Man today
• So much more

Connect with Thomas: Website, Facebook, Instagram

Lucky Man will play at The Gene Frankel Theatre from June 5-22, 2025. Click Here for tickets!

In Lucky Man, Thomas G. Waites rips the curtain wide open on his wild ride through fame and flameout. The show begins in 1976, just after being kicked out of Juilliard’s Drama Division, and rockets ahead two years later when, at just 23, Thomas hits it big with starring with roles in On the Yard, The Warriors, …And Justice for All, and The Thing—working with icons like Al Pacino, John Heard, Kurt Russell and many others, as alcohol destroys his career, marriage, and family before finding redemption, serenity, and hope - through a twelve-step program, friendship, music, forgiveness, and the fierce power of love. It will break your heart—then heal it with laughter and song.

1. It is so great to speak with you again after catching up in 2024 when you were directing Much Ado About Nothing, where you enlisted your longtime friend & college roommate, Kelsey Grammar to help promote the show. Now you are working with another powerhouse actor, John Goodman, who is one of the producers on your new show Lucky Man - A Warrior's Journey. What made you want John Goodman to produce your show & how did you go about asking him? I remained in contact with John Goodman despite his enormous success, John remains a down to earth pal. We did a film for TV together back in the 80’s called Face of Rage. And he did the first reading of my first play, Johnny, with the late Bruce McVittie.

I had this idea so I called him up and he said, "I’m in. What  do you need?" So I said, "I wanna talk about addiction, recovery and redemption." The check was express mailed the next day. I aim to make him proud. 

2. One cool fact I learned about your history with John Goodman from our 2024 interview was that John actually gave your band, Heartbreak Waites, its name. What we didn't get to talk about was how did he come up with that name and why did you feel that name fit your band so perfectly? The first time I played as a musician was at CBGB’S and ok this is a little embarrassing, but a line I used to pick up girls was, "Don’t fall in love with me baby, I’ll break your heart."

John had a few beers at the bar and after the first song he screamed, HEARTBREAK WAITES! The name stuck with me all these years. So I decided to use it. We had a good laugh over that.

Thomas G. Waites and his band Heartbreak Waites
Photo Courtesy of Thomas G. Waites' Acting Studio Website

3. In addition to starring in Lucky Man - A Warrior's Journey, you also wrote the show. How long did it take you to write it, from idea to inception? I started the play last year right after Much Ado. Because I had my own heart broken. I was not going to take it lying down. I’m a fighter by nature. So this is my weapon of choice. Art. Talent. Language. Story. And we are still rewriting as we speak. Hopefully it will be finished by the time you come to see it. You will come, right Adam? 😈

4. Since you are the writer & star of the show, how do you separate yourself from the writer & as the actor and allow your director, Joe Danisi, to direct you? I tried this play out first at The Actors Studio where I’m a member. I got great feedback from those people, Cathy Narducci, Jay Johnston, Estelle Parsons, so I brought it back a second time. Joe Danisi is a Director there. He came up to me and gave me his number. We talked and boy did I luck out. Joe is as smart as he is savvy, as sensitive as he is strong, and my play is so much better because of him. I don’t want to understate the value of a good director for a playwright: it makes all the difference.

And I cannot separate the two. I am the writer. I am the actor. In short: I Am. 😇

Thomas G. Waites in The Warriors
Photo Courtesy of Thomas G. Waites' Social Media

5. What was the hardest part of the show for you to write, and why was it so difficult? The hardest part is the ending. It’s truth. Truth is beauty and beauty is truth.

6. What part of your story do you feel audiences will relate to most? I think audiences will relate to all the mistakes I made as a young actor. The difference between tragedy and comedy is right?

7. What did you learn about yourself from writing this show that you didn't know living through it? I learned I’ve got the courage of a Lion, the sensitivity of a child, and the perseverance of a monk in Meditation.

Thomas G Waites, Performing at The Bitter End NYC 2018
Photo Courtesy of Thomas G. Waites' Social Media

8. How do you feel making this show a one-man rock monologue tells it in a different way than if it were just a straight play with no music? The music is sort of like A Greek Chorus reflecting upon the action. Rock n Roll is American. One of the few things we can be proud of considering our current political crisis is Rock n Roll. The music informs the audience that there is hope through song.

9. Without revealing too much of what you talk about in the show, do you feel getting kicked out of Juilliard changed the trajectory of your career at all because you went on to work with a lot of heavy hitters in the entertainment industry? I’m a troubled guy. I have a lot on my mind. Institutions and me don’t mix well. I rebel. I’m a Rebel without a Pause.

10. What do you feel was the moment you hit rock bottom that made you realize it was time to get help? My bottom gets revealed in the play and I’m one of the lucky ones to survive addiction. Most of us don’t make it. I pray my play helps someone. If it does, that’s victory.

11. Why do you feel like a Lucky Man today? I’m a Lucky Man because I’m alive. I’m healthy. I’m strong. I can still take a punch, so if the critics don’t like me, I’ll still be standing. I’m a Lucky Man because I’m loved.

More Thomas G. Waites Interviews:

2014 (Read Here): The Taming of the Shrew

2024 (Read Here): Much Ado About Nothing

Thomas G. Waites
Photo Courtesy of Thomas G. Waites' Acting Studio Website

More on Thomas G. Waites:

Thomas G. Waites is an actor, director, and acting instructor originally from Philadelphia. He is a graduate of the Drama Division of The Juilliard School, where he studied alongside Robin Williams, Christopher Reeve, Frances Conroy and others.

His acting credits span decades in film, television, and theatre, earning acclaim early on in the 1978 film On the Yard opposite John Heard. Thomas has a long history with Al Pacino, beginning with the Norman Jewison film …And Justice for All, followed by Richard III on Broadway and an Off-Broadway revival of American Buffalo.

Beyond these iconic early roles, Thomas' television credits include multiple guest appearances on Law & Order (six times!), as well as The Punisher, Homeland, OZ, NYPD Blue, All My Children, and One Life to Live. 

On stage, Thomas appeared on Broadway in Search and Destroy with Griffin Dunne, rocked out in the cult musical Teaneck Tanzi with Debbie Harry and shared the stage with Dick Latessa and Frances McDormand in Awake and Sing!.  

He also founded the TGW Acting Studio, which Backstage named the #1 acting school in NYC.