Quick Facts
Biography
Tom Sullivan (born March 27, 1947) is an American entertainer, singer, actor, author, motivational speaker and writer.
Biography
Personal life
Sullivan was born and raised in West Roxbury Neighborhood in Boston, Massachusetts, the son of Marie C. (née Kelly) and Thomas J. Sullivan, who owned a saloon. His premature birth caused him to need oxygen treatment while in an incubator. Though the treatment saved his life, he was given too much oxygen, which left him permanently blind. (This condition is now known as retinopathy of prematurity.)
Career
Sullivan has worked as an author, composer, motivational speaker, and singer, as well as an actor, director, and producer. Sullivan also sang "The Star-Spangled Banner", the national anthem of the United States, at Super Bowl X, and the 1976 Indianapolis 500. He had a recurring role on Highway to Heaven as Frank Riley, who ultimately marries Priscilla Barnes's character. Among the songs Sullivan has written and performed are "All the Colors Of the Heart", which was used as the theme for his debut episode of Highway to Heaven.
A movie based on events of his college years was produced. The movie, If You Could See What I Hear, was directed by Eric Till and starred Marc Singer, who impersonated Sullivan and did his own singing in character.
Awards
- Sullivan won the American Foundation for the Blind's "Helen Keller Achievement Award" in 1997.
Discography
- If You Could See What I Hear (1972, Perception)
- Yes I'm Ready (1976, ABC)
Selected television and movie credits
Acting filmography
- Touched by an Angel (in episode "Then Sings my Soul" as Clarence), 1999
- Renegade (in episode "Love Hurts" as Denny Martin), 1996
- Designing Women (in episode "One Sees, the Other Doesn't" as Danny), 1989
- Highway to Heaven (two episodes, as Frank Riley)
- Knight Rider (in episode "Knight Song" as Charley Connors), 1985
- Search for Tomorrow (as Michael Kendall), 1983
- Mork & Mindy (in episode "Mork Learns to See" as Tom Bickley), 1980
- Airport '77 (as Steve), 1977
- M*A*S*H (in episode "Out of Sight, Out of Mind" as Tom Straw), 1976
- WKRP in Cincinnati (in episode "To Err is Human" as Hester Sherman), 1982
- Fame (in episode "Solo Song" as blind vocal coach), 1982
Miscellaneous filmography
- Moving Through Space: A Day with Tom Sullivan (composer of song "Idle Hands"), 2003
- Good Morning America (as himself – feature correspondent), 1978–1983
- Super Bowl X (sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" with the cast of Up with People), Jan. 18, 1976
- Black Sunday (sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" with the cast of Up with People), 1977