THOMAS ELLIS GIBSON was born July 3, 1962 in Charleston, South Carolina to Charles MacDonald “Mac” Gibson, Sr. (1932-2005) and Beth (1933- ) Gibson. He frequently mentions that he was named Thomas due to timing – he was born on the Roman Catholic feast day of St. Thomas.
His father, a prominent attorney and state legislator, and mother, a social worker, divorced when he was seven. Around that age, Gibson began performing in a local pizza shop after swim meets. He would perform Louis Armstrong hits, complete with his approximation of Armstrong’s distinctive singing voice.
At the age of nine, he joined the Young Charleston Theater Company. While developing his craft at the Young Charleston Theater Company and the Little Theater School, he had a role in Julian Wiles' "Seize the Street: the Skateboard Musical" and eventually played Prince Charming to the future Mrs. Stephen Colbert’s "Cinderella". He further developed his classical training with the Footlight Players during his teen years.
At Bishop England High School, he was active in sports and student government. Upon graduation in 1979, he attended The College of Charleston for two years. During his initial college years, he interned with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. It was then he won a scholarship to the Julliard School. He graduated with a BFA in drama as a part of Group 14: 1981-1985.
Instead of taking an easy route, he declined a role in the horror film "April Fool’s Day". He selected David Hare’s "A Map of the World" at the Public Theater in October, 1985 as his professional stage debut. For the next decade, he appeared in plays at the New York Shakespeare Festival, the renowned Circle in the Square Theater, and with the Manhattan Class Company.
While appearing in plays by Coward, Williams, Shakespeare, and Moliere, he made his television debut on CBS’s legal drama "Leg Work" in 1987. This began his nearly three decade relationship with the network. From "Leg Work", he appeared on several New York-based soap operas for brief stints.
In 1992, Gibson was cast in Ron Howard’s "Far and Away" as a rival to Tom Cruise. Following his big screen debut, he starred in Denys Arcand’s "Love and Human Remains" as David, a gay former teen star turned disillusioned waiter. In early 1994, he starred as smarmy pansexual Beauchamp Day in "Tales of the City". This was his breakout performance. Later that year, he joined the cast of CBS’s "Chicago Hope" as Dr. Daniel Nyland, a womanizing surgeon. He would play this role for three years before seeking a change of pace.
Gibson turned to comedy. First, he was offered a pilot called "Ask Harriet", where he would have played a sportswriter who dressed as a woman to pen an advice column. Then, it was rumored that he had read for the role of Will Truman on "Will and Grace". Finally, he won the part of uptight blue-blood Greg Montgomery in "Dharma & Greg".
After "Dharma & Greg" went off the air five seasons later, Gibson and family moved from Los Angeles to San Antonio, TX, his wife Cristina’s hometown, in an effort to raise the children with some sense of normalcy. During and after his sitcom triumph, he appeared in several films, including submissive surfer dude Kanaka in "Psycho Beach Party" and harassed boyfriend Carl in Stanley Kubrick’s "Eyes Wide Shut". Gibson also reunited with Denys Arcand for "Stardom", a send-up of fame.
In 2005, a pilot called "Quantico" made the rounds. It called for a blonde-haired, blue-eyed type to play Aaron Hotchner, the team leader of the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit. At the behest of Les Moonves, Gibson read for the part of Hotch. The show, now titled "Criminal Minds", became a hit for ABC Studios and CBS. For eleven years, Gibson portrayed Aaron “Hotch” Hotchner, the quiet, tormented leader of the BAU. However, in August, 2016, at the start of the 12th season, Gibson was fired due to an “altercation” with a producer and writer.
PERSONAL LIFE
Gibson is the youngest of four siblings – Elizabeth, Charles, and Anne preceded him. Additionally, he has two younger half-brothers on his father’s side. He met his wife, Cristina in 1992 in Paris, France. They married a year later. Thomas and Cristina legally separated sometime before 2011 and are currently in the process of divorcing. However, both remain amicable and active in keeping things as normal as they can for the children. He has three children: James Parker (JP), Travis Carter, and Agatha Marie. He is also a pet dad to Ursa, Hazel, and Piper.
TRIVIA
- He's left-handed, but golfs, throws, and plays guitar right-handed
- He was raised Roman Catholic
- He is not the W.B. Mason Guy
- He's a fan of the San Antonio Spurs
- His favorite color is blue
- He won his game on Celebrity Jeopardy
- He substituted for Regis Philbin on Live With Regis and Kelly
- In 2006, he was ranked as the #2 Celebrity Golfer by Golf Digest with a 4.3 handicap… He’s still under 5 as of 2014.
- He plays the ukulele and guitar
- He has participated in the Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the Bob Hope Celebrity Classic Golf Tournament
- He attended the Ryder Cup in 2010 with American Captain Corey Pavin
- Named one of TV Guide's TV's Best Dressed in 1998 for Dharma & Greg
- Named one of Entertainment Weekly's Best Dressed on TV for Criminal Minds
- Wears a size 12 1/2 shoe
- He is of Irish descent on his mother’s side
- He is a supporter of the soccer/football team Liverpool FC
- He’s watched an open heart surgery
- He’s skydived He’s a decent amateur chef
