Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Thom Bray

Thom Bray (born April 30, 1954) is an American actor, screenwriter, producer, and retired educator best known for his role as Murray "Boz" Bozinsky in the 1980s detective television series Riptide (1984–1986). Born in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, Bray earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Drama Literature from Hofstra University and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Pacific University before launching his acting career in the late 1970s. Early roles included guest appearances on shows such as One Day at a Time (1978), Lou Grant (1980), The Love Boat (1981), Murder, She Wrote (1985), and Knight Rider (1985), alongside film debuts in The Prowler (1981) and supporting parts in DeepStar Six (1989). His breakthrough came with Riptide, where he played the tech-savvy sidekick to private investigators Cody Allen and Nick Ryder, contributing to the show's blend of action, comedy, and nautical adventure over three seasons. In the late 1980s, Bray began writing and producing, penning episodes for acclaimed series including (1991), (1991–1994), and (2000–2001), often collaborating with networks like and Paramount. He also appeared in John Carpenter's horror film Prince of Darkness (1987) as a amid events. Later in his career, Bray served as an adjunct assistant professor at in , teaching screenwriting for television and film in the English and Film departments for over a dozen years until his retirement in 2019. Since retiring from teaching, he has continued with stage performances, including annual readings of Charles Dickens' .

Early life and education

Childhood and family background

Thomas Edward Bray was born on April 30, 1954, in Lawrenceville, . Bray grew up in the Colonial Lakelands subdivision in Lawrenceville, a quiet suburban area that provided an idyllic environment for childhood activities. He described his early years there as filled with simple outdoor pursuits, including bike riding, playing , and during winter months, which contributed to a carefree and wholesome family-oriented upbringing. Bray's interest in the performing arts emerged during his ninth grade year, when a music teacher pulled him from the school hallway into the band room and encouraged him to sing. This led to his first stage role as Nicely-Nicely Johnson in a school production of , an experience that ignited his passion for theater and marked a pivotal formative moment before any structured academic pursuits.

Academic training

Thom Bray earned a degree in Music and Literature from in 1976. Following his acting tenure in the and , Bray pursued advanced training in , completing a in Teaching () from around 2005–2008. This timeline of formal —spanning arts-oriented bachelor's training in the and teaching-focused graduate work in the —bridged Bray's preparation for both his industry entry in the early and his later academic contributions.

Acting career

Television roles

Thom Bray made his television debut in the short-lived ABC series Breaking Away (1980–1981), portraying the character Cyril, a member of a group of working-class friends in a , across all 8 episodes. Bray achieved breakthrough recognition with his role as Murray "Boz" Bozinsky in the NBC detective series Riptide (1984–1986), appearing in all 56 episodes as the team's nerdy, tech-savvy who specialized in electronics and gadgets, often providing amid action-oriented cases. This ensemble performance solidified his presence in primetime television, marking a pivotal point in his by showcasing his ability to blend humor with supporting dynamics in procedural formats. Following Riptide, Bray starred as the uptight administrator Lawrence Pendleton in the sitcom (1987), featuring in 7 of the series' episodes alongside . He later ventured into , lending his voice to Wilbur Finletter, an inventor character, in the animated series (1990–1991), across all 21 episodes. Bray also made guest appearances in later series, as Bartholomew in an episode of the TNT drama (2012). His television work frequently emphasized supporting comedic or ensemble parts, which helped establish his reputation as a versatile during the 1980s and 1990s.

Film roles

Thom Bray made his film debut in the 1981 slasher The Prowler, directed by , where he portrayed the character Ben, a supporting role in a story centered on a masked killer targeting attendees at a small-town . This marked his entry into during the peak of the slasher , establishing a pattern of appearances in low-budget horror productions. In 1987, Bray appeared in John Carpenter's supernatural film Prince of Darkness, playing Etchinson, one of the scientists investigating a mysterious containing an ancient evil in an abandoned church. The role highlighted his involvement in Carpenter's atmospheric style, blending elements with themes, and represented a notable collaboration within the genre's directorial canon. That same year, he had a minor comedic part as the Shoplifter in in the heist comedy Burglar, starring , adding variety to his early film work beyond . Bray continued with supporting roles in horror films toward the end of the decade, including Hodges, a crew member aboard an underwater research station facing monstrous threats in the sci-fi horror (1989), directed by . He also played Professor Peter Campbell, a skeptical academic entangled in supernatural events following an execution, in the slasher film (1989), known for its gore-heavy narrative involving a vengeful spirit. These characters often depicted Bray as earnest professionals or everymen thrust into perilous, genre-specific scenarios, emphasizing his reliability in ensemble casts. Bray's film career primarily spanned from 1981 to , with five feature credits that underscored his niche in supporting roles within and sci-fi, genres that paralleled his concurrent commitments without propelling him to leading-man status.

Writing and production work

Television contributions

Bray transitioned from acting to writing for in , marking a shift toward greater involvement in for network shows. His earliest notable writing credits came on Designing Women, where he contributed scripts during the early 1990s, often collaborating with writer Michael A. Ross. Bray co-wrote episodes such as "It's a Wonderful Life" (Season 4, Episode 20, aired March 19, 1990), which explored themes of personal reflection among the Sugarbaker firm, and "The Emperor's New Nose" (Season 5, Episode 15, aired February 4, 1991), focusing on cosmetic surgery and family dynamics. Other credits include "The Pride of Sugarbakers" (Season 5, Episode 21, aired March 11, 1991), addressing workplace pride and interpersonal tensions, and "Last Tango in Atlanta" (Season 6, Episode 20, aired March 13, 1992). Bray contributed 5 writing credits to the series from 1990 to 1992, supporting the show's blend of humor and on Southern life. Bray also wrote two teleplays for in 1992 and 1993. In the mid-1990s, Bray extended his television writing to , a CBS action-drama series starring , where he provided story ideas and script development starting in 1996. He served as a consulting while writing three episodes between 2000 and 2001, including "Grave Robbers" (Season 5, Episode 22, aired May 12, 2000), which involved a plot centered on artifact theft and . These contributions helped shape the procedural elements and character-driven narratives that defined the show's six-season run. Bray wrote episodes for other series, including (1999–2000) and teleplays for (1997–1998). Bray's writing often drew from his prior acting roles in similar comedic and dramatic genres, allowing him to inform script authenticity through firsthand set experience.

Producing credits

Thom Bray began his transition into television production in the late 1980s, following a successful acting career, and took on increasingly prominent roles in overseeing episodic content for network series. His early producing credits included serving as supervising producer on (CBS, 1990–1994), where he managed production for 37 episodes during the 1993–1994 seasons, contributing to the show's blend of and small-town . This role marked the start of his executive involvement, building on foundational writing work to influence structure and creative direction. In the mid-1990s, Bray continued as supervising producer on Kirk (The WB, 1995–1997), handling oversight for 5 episodes in 1996 and guiding the family sitcom's production logistics. He extended this expertise to Fired Up (NBC, 1997–1998), acting as supervising producer and ensuring cohesive narrative flow across the workplace comedy's run. Bray's production career reached a notable peak in the early with a consulting producer credit on (CBS, 1996–2001), where he advised on 22 episodes during the 2000–2001 seasons, focusing on action-driven storytelling and operational decisions. These post-1990s contributions highlighted his shift toward mentorship-like guidance for casts and crews while extending his industry presence beyond on-screen roles. By the early 2000s, Bray's full-time production involvement waned, leading to semi-retirement from executive television work as he began teaching screenwriting at around 2006.

Teaching career

Educational roles

After relocating to , around 2000, Thom Bray transitioned from his entertainment career to education, pursuing a second career in teaching. He earned a in Teaching (MAT) from to qualify for public school positions. In the 2000s and , Bray served as a drama teacher at Middle School and Five Oaks Middle School within the Beaverton School District, where he instructed students in theater arts. Bray also held adjunct faculty positions focused on studies and screenwriting. He taught television writing courses at Marylhurst College and in the mid-2000s. From 2006 to 2019, he served as an of studies and screenwriting at for 13 years until his retirement. Throughout these roles, Bray drew on his professional experience as an and to inform his instruction in media and performance.

Instructional focus

Bray's instructional approach at emphasized practical and television writing, drawing on his extensive industry background to provide students with actionable insights into script development and production processes. He taught courses such as Writing for a Screen, where students learned to craft narratives for film and television, focusing on structure, character development, and dialogue through hands-on assignments that simulated professional workflows. This method helped students grasp the iterative nature of media creation, bridging theoretical concepts with the realities of production. At the middle school level, Bray taught drama at in the Beaverton School District. After 13 years at , he retired from teaching in 2019.

Personal life and later pursuits

Family and marriage

Thom Bray married Jane Staugas on May 22, 1983. The couple has resided in , where they have built a family life away from the spotlight of . Bray and Staugas are the parents of three children. Details on family dynamics remain private, reflecting Bray's preference for keeping personal matters out of the public eye, and no major events or controversies involving his family have been reported. The family's settlement in supported Bray's career transition from acting and writing in to teaching drama and television studies at local institutions, including and schools in the Beaverton district, allowing for a more balanced professional and home life.

Artistic endeavors

In parallel, Bray revived his stage presence in late 2023 with a one-man show as delivering A Christmas Carol: A Victorian Reading at Portland's CoHo Theatre, recreating the author's original 19th-century performances from annotated texts. The intimate production, held on December 23 with matinee and evening shows, highlighted Bray's command of solo narration and character voices in the 90-minute adaptation. Bray's engagement with CoHo Theatre continued into 2024, including a return performance of the Dickens show on December 21, underscoring his ongoing commitment to the venue's holiday programming. This brief theatrical resurgence, informed by his prior acting experience, complements his Portland-based endeavors.

References

  1. [1]
    Thom Bray - IMDb
    Thom Bray was born on 30 April 1954 in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Prince of Darkness (1987), DeepStar Six (1989) ...
  2. [2]
    Riptide (TV Series 1984–1986) - IMDb
    Rating 6.8/10 (3,457) "Riptide" centers around the Pier 56 detective agency run by friends Nick Ryder (Joe Penny), Cody Allen (Perry King), and Murray "Boz" Bozinski (Thom Bray).Thom Bray · Full cast & crew · Episode list · Perry King
  3. [3]
    Thom Bray | Portland State University
    Thom Bray began his career as an actor, appearing in TV shows and films including Riptide, Lou Grant, Murder She Wrote, Love Boat, John Carpenter's Prince ...
  4. [4]
    Thom Bray Movies & TV Shows List | Rotten Tomatoes
    Thom Bray was an actor who had a successful Hollywood career. Early on, Bray landed roles on various television sitcoms, including "One Day At A Time" (CBS, ...
  5. [5]
    Thom Bray - Biography - IMDb
    Thom Bray was born on April 30, 1954 in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Prince of Darkness (1987), DeepStar Six ...
  6. [6]
    An Interview with Actor Thom Bray - The Retroist
    Jan 17, 2007 · How did you land the role of The Boz on Riptide? Was it a fun show to work on? That's a long story. I was the first one seen for the role ...
  7. [7]
    [PDF] Poo - wá - bah - Hofstra University
    Doctor of Fine Arts degree from Yale University's School of. Drama; directed this year's 51st Hofstra Shakespeare Festival pro- duction of Love's Labuor's Lost; ...
  8. [8]
    Tom Browning; Julian Voss-Andreae; Thom Bray | Oregon Art Beat
    Dec 18, 2008 · YOU'LL PAY THE RENT! >> HE MOVED TO PORTLAND AND. EARNED A MASTER'S DEGREE IN. TEACHING. FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS HE'S. TAUGHT TELEVISION SCRIPT WRITING. AT ...
  9. [9]
    Breaking Away (TV Series 1980–1981) - IMDb
    Rating 7.3/10 (222) Four buddies live in Bloomington, Indiana, facing life as working class "cutters" in a college town. Focus is on Dave and his $1200 La Strada bike.
  10. [10]
    Thom Bray | TVSA
    Thom Bray is an American actor best known for his role as Murray "Boz" Bozinsky in the detective television series Riptide, from 1984-1986.<|control11|><|separator|>
  11. [11]
    Harry (TV Series 1987– ) - IMDb
    Rating 5.8/10 (29) Harry: Created by Gary Jacobs, Susan Kramer. With Alan Arkin, Holland Taylor, Thom Bray, Matt Craven. Harry Porschak is in charge at a major metropolitan ...
  12. [12]
    Wilbur Finletter Voice - Attack of the Killer Tomatoes (TV Show)
    Thom Bray is the voice of Wilbur Finletter in Attack of the Killer Tomatoes. TV Show: Attack of the Killer Tomatoes
  13. [13]
    https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/Attack-of-the-Killer-Tomatoes/Wilbur-Finletter/
  14. [14]
    "Leverage" The Radio Job (TV Episode 2012) - IMDb
    Rating 8.7/10 (725) When Latimer hires Nate's father to pull off a heist in an ultra-secure government office, the Leverage team must stage a fake hostage stand-off.Missing: Nash Bridges<|control11|><|separator|>
  15. [15]
    Thom Bray - TV Guide
    30 Credits. Leverage as Bartholomew. Leverage. Stripperland as Dr. Logan. Stripperland. The District as EPA Agent. The District. Hearts Afire as Jerry, Norman ...Missing: roles | Show results with:roles
  16. [16]
    The Prowler (1981) - IMDb
    Rating 5.9/10 (14,122) An unknown killer, clad in World War II US Army fatigues, stalks a small New Jersey town bent on reliving a 35 year-old double murder.
  17. [17]
    Prince of Darkness (1987) - IMDb
    Rating 6.7/10 (54,474) Prince of Darkness: Directed by John Carpenter. With Donald Pleasence ... Thom Bray · Etchinson · Joanna Merlin · Bag Lady · Alice ...Full cast & crew · Quotes · Parents guide · Prince des ténèbres
  18. [18]
    Burglar (1987) - IMDb
    Rating 5.1/10 (5,011) A corrupt cop blackmails former burglar Bernice, forcing her into her most ambitious job yet: a dentist hires her to break into her ex-husband's house and ...
  19. [19]
    DeepStar Six (1989) - IMDb
    Rating 5.3/10 (14,458) Thom Bray · Hodges · Ronn Carroll · Osborne · Chris Walas ... Kane Hodder, who plays Jason Vorhees in several Friday the 13th movies ...Full cast & crew · Parents guide · User reviews · Trivia
  20. [20]
    House III: The Horror Show (1989) - IMDb
    Rating 5.1/10 (5,177) "The Horror Show" is a supernatural gore film with a rip-off Wes Craven´s "Shocker". Although entitled 'House III" in Brazil, it might have been "Shocker II".
  21. [21]
    Thomas Bray | Portland State University
    He has been teaching writing for television and film for the PSU Film and English Departments for more than a dozen years.Missing: retirement | Show results with:retirement
  22. [22]
    Designing Women Online Episode Guide - "It's A Wonderful Life"
    It's A Wonderful Life ; Directed by: David Trainer ; Written by: Thom Bray & Michael Ross ; Taped: February 13, 1990 ; Airdate: March 19, 1990.
  23. [23]
    Designing Women Online Episode Guide - "The Emperor's New Nose"
    Written by: Michael Ross & Thom Bray Taped: January 22, 1991. Airdate: February 4, 1991. Bernice surprises everyone at Sugarbaker's with the news she is ...
  24. [24]
    "Designing Women" The Pride of Sugarbakers (TV Episode 1991)
    Rating 6.8/10 (82) Thom Bray · Michael A. Ross · All cast & crew · Production, box office & more at ... Written by Jack Norworth and Albert von Tilzer. Details. Edit · Release date.
  25. [25]
    Thom Bray Biography (1954-) - Film Reference
    Born April 6, 1954; married Jane Staugus. Addresses: Agent: Endeavor,9701 Wilshire Blvd., 10th Floor, Beverly Hills, CA 90212.Missing: family | Show results with:family
  26. [26]
    Nash Bridges credits - Metacritic
    Written By. Carlton Cuse; creator / written by / story / teleplay / writer ... Thom Bray; written by; 3 Episodes, 2000 - 2001. Morgan Gendel; written by; 2 ...
  27. [27]
    Nash Bridges (TV Series 1996–2001) - Full cast & crew - IMDb
    Nash Bridges (TV Series 1996–2001) - Cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more ... Thom Bray. consulting producer (as Thomas ...
  28. [28]
    Evening Shade (TV Series 1990–1994) - Full cast & crew - IMDb
    Thom Bray · Thom Bray. supervising producer. 37 episodes • 1993–1994. David Nichols · David Nichols. co-producer / supervising producer / producer. 29 episodes
  29. [29]
    Kirk (TV Series 1995–1997) - Full cast & crew - IMDb
    Kirk (TV Series 1995–1997) - Cast and crew credits, including actors ... Thom Bray. supervising producer. 5 episodes • 1996. Ron Burla · Ron Burla.
  30. [30]
    Thom Bray - Knight Rider | Fandom
    Thomas Edward Bray (born April 30, 1954) is an American actor and writer perhaps best known for his role as Murray "Boz" Bozinsky in the detective TV series ...
  31. [31]
    Bray, Thom 1954– | Encyclopedia.com
    Actor, writer, and producer. Instructor of television studies and writing, Marylhurst College and Portland State University, Portland, OR.Missing: degrees | Show results with:degrees
  32. [32]
    [PDF] Are You suprised ? - Rachel Carson Environmental Middle School
    It is very difficult for many students to miss multiple days for vacations and trips. Teachers cannot recreate the activities and lessons taught in class.Missing: curriculum | Show results with:curriculum
  33. [33]
    Thom Bray - Age, Family, Bio | Famous Birthdays
    Thom Bray: his birthday, what he did before fame, his family life, fun trivia facts, popularity rankings, and more.Missing: childhood | Show results with:childhood
  34. [34]
    Thomas Bray in OR - Oregon Address & Phone Number - Whitepages
    Julia E Bray • Spencer J Bray • Jane Staugas Bray • Eleanor Rose Bray. Phone ... Thomas Bray's address is 5519 SE 56th Ave in Portland, OR. What is ...
  35. [35]
    Trivia - Thom Bray - IMDb
    Portland, Oregon. Teaches TV writing courses at local universities, including Portland State, Marylhurst and Pacific University. (June 2006). Contribute to ...Missing: College | Show results with:College
  36. [36]
    PAINTING - Thom Bray
    PAINTING. I started painting about 10 years ago - prior to that I was strictly about drawing on paper or in photoshop and illustrator.
  37. [37]
    DRAWING - Thom Bray
    DRAWING. I started with a pencil and a piece of paper. Miner (Procreate). The Monster Pt 2 (paper/pencil). Van Gogh (Clip Studio Paint).
  38. [38]
    DIGITAL - Thom Bray
    Software includes Photoshop, Illustrator, Fresco, Procreate, Krita, Clip Studio Paint, Concepts, Affinity Designer, and Art Studio Pro.
  39. [39]
    A Christmas Carol - CoHo PRODUCTIONS
    Working from the text of the author's original reading copy, veteran actor Thom Bray faithfully recreates the theatrical experience that Dickens' Victorian ...Missing: 2023 | Show results with:2023
  40. [40]
    Thom Bray previews “A Christmas Carol: A Victorian Reading” | KBOO
    Dec 21, 2023 · And Thom's bringing the show back this year to Portland's Coho Theater, for two performances on Saturday, December 23rd, the eve before ...
  41. [41]
    DramaWatch: Liberace and Liza's holiday sparkler - Oregon ArtsWatch
    Dec 23, 2023 · Thom Bray as Mr. Dickens himself. Photo courtesy CoHo Theatre. Taking advantage of a hot seasonal market for wintry stage shows, a handful of ...
  42. [42]
    Thom Bray channels Charles Dickens himself in 'A Christmas Carol'
    Dec 19, 2024 · Bray puts on two performances at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 at CoHo Theatre, 2257 N.W. Raleigh St. It's put on by CoHo Productions ...Missing: move | Show results with:move
  43. [43]
    Thom Bray returns as Dickens in “A Christmas Carol - KBOO
    Dec 19, 2024 · Thom re-creates the public readings of “A Christmas Carol” that Dickens performed from 1849 until his death in 1870.Missing: career | Show results with:career