Thomas "Tom" Louis Villard was born in Waipahu Hawaii, the son of Ronald Louis Villard, a photochemical engineer and Diane Ruth Villard née MacNaughton, a teacher for students with emotional challenges. to Ron and Diane and grew up in Spencerport, New York. He has two brothers and one sister. After graduating from E. J. Wilson High School in Spencerport, he attended Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania for two years. After college, he moved to New York City. There he attended the Lee Strasberg Acting Studio and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Tom moved to Los Angeles in 1980. During Tom's film career, he landed roles in numerous films and television shows. Tom passed away on November 14, 1994, from AIDS related pneumonia.