Biografia
Tommy Perna produced the Independent Spirit Award-nominated, critically acclaimed feature film Mayor of the Sunset Strip, which premiered as the centerpiece of the 2003 IFP/Los Angeles Film Festival, Toronto Film Festival, New York Film Festival at Lincoln Center, and The Royal London Film Festival. The film was acquired for worldwide theatrical distribution by First Look Media/Lakeshore Entertainment, marking the second-largest documentary sale at the time. Written and directed by George Hickenlooper, the film explores music and fame through the perspective of pop impresario Rodney Bingenheimer and his friends, including David Bowie, Gwen Stefani, Coldplay, Courtney Love, Oasis, Brian Wilson, The Doors, Cher, Nancy Sinatra, Mick Jagger, and Brooke Shields, among others. Mayor of the Sunset Strip was Perna’s first feature film as a producer.
Perna began his producing career in development at Viacom Productions under Daniel L. Paulson. He later produced, co-directed, and starred in the internationally acclaimed short film Changes of Distance, which was screened and awarded at numerous international film festivals. He has also served as a consultant on the documentary feature Rap Sheet: Hip Hop & The Cops, authored a book of short stories titled Silk City currently in development for television, and created a dark, campy series of short stories called My Mind's Eye (My Vitriolic Series Of Fantasies).
Originally from Paterson, NJ, Perna started his career on the New York stage as a dancer before moving on to star in numerous national commercials. He also had a brief role on the Emmy-winning daytime drama Guiding Light.
Recently, he played leading roles in the independent films Lava Lounge and Fuel. Perna has appeared in other films such as Deal starring Burt Reynolds, Factory Girl with Sienna Miller, The Big Brass Ring starring William Hurt, Beat featuring Courtney Love and Kiefer Sutherland, Crime & Punishment in Suburbia starring Ellen Barkin, and George Hickenlooper's critically acclaimed The Man From Elysian Fields starring Andy Garcia, Mick Jagger, and James Coburn.
In 2001, Perna starred in Procter & Gamble’s Emmy-winning "Dream Builder" series movie of the week Our Father. He has also guest-starred on various TV series, including Joey, Charmed, and The Jimmy Kimmel Show.
Perna began painting about 20 years ago after receiving an acrylic paint set as a gag gift from a friend, sparking his passion for art. He most recently exhibited his work at Los Angeles' ARTWALK in August 2010 to a full audience.
