Biography
Tom Jones, born Thomas John Woodward in Trefforest, Pontypridd, Glamorgan, Wales, is a Welsh singer and actor.
Sir Thomas John Woodward OBE, professionally known as Tom Jones, launched his career with a series of top-ten hits in the mid-1960s. He has regularly toured, including performances in Las Vegas. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic described Jones's voice as a "full-throated, robust baritone."
His repertoire spans pop, R&B, show tunes, country, dance, soul, and gospel. In 2008, The New York Times referred to Jones as a musical "shape shifter" capable of moving from a soulful rasp to a pop croon, with a voice both husky and beautiful. Jones has sold over 100 million records, achieving 36 Top 40 hits in the UK and 19 in the US, including "It's Not Unusual," "What's New Pussycat," the theme for the 1965 James Bond film Thunderball, "Green, Green Grass of Home," "Delilah," "She's a Lady," "Kiss," and "Sex Bomb."
Jones made his acting debut starring in the 1979 television film Pleasure Cove and appeared as himself in Tim Burton's 1996 movie Mars Attacks!. In 1970, he earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy for hosting This Is Tom Jones. He also appeared in a 2012 episode of Playhouse Presents. His accolades include a Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1966, an MTV Video Music Award in 1989, and two Brit Awards: Best British Male in 2000 and Outstanding Contribution to Music in 2003. He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1998 and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2005 for his services to music. Jones saw a revival in popularity during the 2010s through his role as a coach on The Voice UK from 2012, except for 2016.
