Tom Nardini

Tom Nardini (born April 16, 1945) is an American film actor who had a lengthy career in television in which his best known role was in Cowboy in Africa (1967). In film his best known role was in Cat Ballou (1965) for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe award. Early life Born in Los Angeles, California, in 1945 as Thomas Nardini, he was the son of Joseph and Chechi Nardini. Nardini's father worked as an aircraft worker after having a career as a jazz musician and his mother worked in vaudeville as a comedian, dancer, and singer. He attended Morningside High School in Inglewood, graduating in 1963. Nardini furthered his education by attending El Camino Junior College in Torrance, where he studied theater and joined a Shakespearean group. Career Nardini met an agent named Lester Miller, who was able to get him an interview to audition for Mr. Novak. This led to one of Nardini's first roles appearing in three episodes of Novak as Abel King from 1964 to 1965. This allowed Nardini to land other roles as guest leads on other television shows such as The Lieutenant and My Three Sons and Bewitched. Nardini was then cast for his most notable role in the television series Cowboy in Africa, where he played the character John Henry. Nardini then signed a seven-year contract with Columbia Studios, which produced his film debut Cat Ballou in 1965. Nardini was cast as Jackson Two Bears, a Native American ranch hand for Cat Ballou's father. Nardini was nominated for Most Promising Newcomer - Male at the 23rd Golden Globe Awards for his performance.