Horror Month – June 2015

We spoke with actor Thom Mathews; known for his role as Tommy Jarvis in Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI. He has also had many other Film & TV roles including The Return of the Living Dead and it’s 1988 sequel Return of the Living Dead II.

“….I approached this role, as with all roles, being honest, open and invested in the characters situation”

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What influenced you to become an actor?
Interesting question. I was struggling with “what I wanted to be when I grew up” out of high school. Then my girlfriend at the time suggested that I become an actor. At that moment I KNEW! I began studying at an acting studio in LA a few short weeks after that.

You played Tommy Jarvis in Friday the 13th Part 6 – how did you find playing this character?
Playing Tommy Jarvis didn’t require me to do a lot of character work. I played him pretty close to the vest. I approached this role, as with all roles, being honest, open and invested in the characters situation.    

It’s your fault why Jason is now an unstoppable killing machine, just leave the dead buried!!! What was your favourite scene to film on the movie?
That’s not fair. I dug him up and put him back down! My favourite sequence, that I was in, was all the scenes on the lake in the fourth act.

How did you find filming the climatic scenes on the lake?
LOL. It was fun for me! I’m a very physical person so all that action was fantastic. I had never shot any underwater, fire, boat, or Jason trying to kill me scenes before! I had a blast. 

What has been your favourite role?
You need to check out a movie called “Down Twisted” by Albert Pyun. He cast me in this movie after working with him a few times before. We shot most of the movie in Mexico. My character was scripted as a dark, 240lbs villain. I’m not 240lbs! I didn’t have dark hair. I died my hair dark but it didn’t work with my skin tone. So I showed up on the set with bleach white hair, a blue suede jacket, and silver (capped) tooth. Albert didn’t even recognize me but loved the choices I made. It was a fun character to play.

Would you ever return as an older incarnation of Tommy?
Absolutely

Who would win in a fight, Jason, Freddy or someone else? 
Tommy Jarvis!

Are you a fan of horror films yourself?
Not Really

What is your favourite film of time? 
That’s an impossible question to answer. There’s so many talented directors and actors who have made so many great movies!

Do you have any upcoming projects?
I’ve been busy raising my 3 children the last 10 years and trying to stay close to home. Now that they’re getting older I’m entertaining the idea of getting back into films. I have been doing horror conventions for the past few years. Everyone is asking me to get back into acting. I just signed up Marie Mathews Management to get the ball rolling. Stay tuned!

Thom will be appearing at HorrorConUK 2017!

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See Also
Interview with Victor Miller (Writer – Friday the 13th)
Interview with Adrienne King (Friday the 13th)
Interview with Ari Lehman (Friday the 13th)
Interview with Robbi Morgan (Friday the 13th)
Interview with Tim Mirkovich (Friday the 13th Part VIII)

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Get involved with Horror Month!

Take part in our Survey for a chance to win some horror goodies and tickets to HorrorCon UK 2015! Contest details here.