2 days ago
This film star ruled the 80s, but you won't recognise him now
He was one of cinema's most iconic bullies – relentlessly terrorising Marty McFly – but these days the Back to the Future star looks more like your cool uncle than an 80s villain.
The now 66-year-old actor Thomas F Wilson, who famously played the unforgettable Biff Tannen, was recently spotted out and about grabbing lunch with a friend.
Thomas was seen wearing a dark navy blue T-shirt, dark grey cargo shorts, some blue sneakers and a black crossbody bag.
But fans could be forgiven for walking right past him, because the clean-cut brunette Hollywood once knew has been replaced with a long white haired, laid-back family man.
Talk about time travel, huh?
Wilson was in his mid-20s when Back to the Future hit cinemas in 1985, launching him to instant global fame.
His role as Biff, the growling schoolyard menace, quickly became one of the most memorable bullies in movie history, thanks to his snarling delivery of lines like, 'I'm gonna kick your ass!'
It's a line Wilson revealed he actually hated at a Back to the Future reunion in Dallas, Texas earlier this year.
'I don't even like to say ass. I say A double scribble,' Wilson said.
'I never played a bully before. I didn't wanna play a bully.
'I've been pushed around by bullies my whole life … I was pushed around by everyone everywhere.'
While Back to the Future remains Wilson's most iconic role, his career didn't stall after the DeLorean drove off.
He also appeared in cult films like April Fool's Day, Action Jackson, High Strung and Camp Nowhere.
And chances are you've heard him without even realising – he's voiced several characters in SpongeBob SquarePants, including the Tattletale Strangler, Flats the Flounder and Reg the Bouncer.
In recent years, Wilson has quietly stepped away from the showbiz hustle.
These days, he's more focused on stand-up comedy, painting (he's even done work for Disney theme parks), and dropping surprisingly wholesome YouTube videos.
'I make films when I can. I also make paintings, songs and stories. I went pro at arts and crafts,' his YouTube channel bio reads.
Wilson, who has been married to his wife Caroline since 1985 – the same year Back to the Future premiered – has four children, who have largely been kept out of the limelight.
The original film recently celebrated its 40th anniversary and Wilson reunited with the cast to reflect on the wild ride.
'They played the movie and the place went crazy,' he said of the original screening.
'Since that night, I have never seen a Hollywood screening go like this. The ovation lasted like five minutes.'
