Who Is Thomas Ian Griffith? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Born on March 18, 1962, Thomas Ian Griffith is a renowned American actor, producer, and screenwriter. With a career spanning over three decades, Griffith has made a significant mark in the entertainment industry. Known for his iconic roles in films like The Karate Kid Part III and The Last Dragon, he has also appeared in various television series and is recognized for his versatility across genres. In 2025, Griffith continues to inspire fans with his creative endeavors and impactful performances.
| Occupation | Soap Opera Actor |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | March 18, 1962 |
| Age | 63 Years |
| Birth Place | Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Pisces |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Thomas Ian Griffith's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Thomas Ian Griffith stands tall at approximately 6 feet (183 cm), with a well-maintained physique that has served him well throughout his acting career. His weight is reported to be around 185 lbs (84 kg). As he advances in age, Griffith maintains a commitment to fitness, which contributes to his striking appearance.
His agent heard that ABC was casting for its television biopic of late screen actor Rock Hudson and sent Griffith over to audition for director John Nicolella.
Although Griffith only did a cold reading, Nicolella loved his delivery and asked him to repeat the audition for a dozen ABC executives; the following day, Griffith was informed that he had the part.
The actor admitted to The New York Times that before the Hudson biopic, he was not a fan of the screen legend's work and had only seen Giant (1956), but that through research for the role, he learned to appreciate the late actor's work and found it to be a great role for him.
Griffith was only one inch taller than Hudson and had a similar physique, but required several hours of makeup each day (including darkening his brown hair and wearing brown contacts over his blue eyes) to get into character, especially when depicting Hudson's final years as he was dying from AIDS.
Producer Frank Konigsberg later told newspaper reporters that he felt it was more important to cast an actor who could play Hudson's tortured spirit than an exact lookalike, and that Griffith "has the presence, the height and the build of Rock.
He also has that wonderful kind of open, all-American quality, a boyish innocence that makes you really like the guy. That's what Rock had, too." The two-hour Rock Hudson film was broadcast on ABC in January 1990.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Thomas Ian Griffith is married to his long-time partner, with whom he shares a nurturing family life. While specific details about his personal life remain relatively private, he often shares glimpses of his family on social media, indicating a loving relationship. Griffith values his family life and prioritizes spending quality time with his loved ones, often keeping his romantic relationships away from the public eye.
Griffith wrote, story edited, co-produced, or supervised produced over sixty episodes of NBC's fantasy police procedural drama horror program Grimm from its second through sixth and final season (2012–2017), and has written, supervised producer, or co-executive produced over thirty episodes of Netflix's romantic drama series Virgin River during i
ts fifth through seventh seasons (2023–2025).
He and his wife, Mary Page Keller, formed the independent film production company Ian Page Productions in the late 1980s, through which they produced a handful of films, including Night of the Warrior (1991), Ulterior Motives (1991), Excessive Force (1992), and Avalanche (1999).
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Thomas Ian Griffith's net worth is estimated to be around $4 million. His earnings stem from a diverse career that includes acting, producing, and screenwriting, along with various endorsement deals and investments. His consistent work in film and television has solidified his financial stability and allowed him to explore new creative ventures.
Reuniting with director Rob Cohen (who had written and directed the pilot for The Guardian in 1997), Griffith was given a featured part in the spy-action flick xXx, in which he portrays NSA Agent Jim McGrath, who gets shot during the opening scene while running through a Rammstein concert; his dead body is then passed around via crowd surfing.
Griffith's scenes were filmed between December 2001 and March 2002, in Prague, Czech Republic, where most of the movie is set. The film, which stars Vin Diesel and co-stars Samuel L. Jackson, Asia Argento, and Marton Csokas, was produced for Revolution Studios and released by Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures in August 2002.
Footage from xXx is used extensively throughout Rammstein's music video for "Feuer frei!", which was also directed by Cohen, including Griffith's dead body crowd surfing which can be seen toward the end.
The song was released as a single in October 2002, and the music video was included as a bonus feature on an enhanced section of the "Feuer frei!" CD single.
The music video was also later included on Rammstein's DVD Lichtspielhaus, which was released via Motor Music, Republic Records, and Universal Music in December 2003, and the Blu-ray edition of xXx.
Career, Business and Investments
Thomas Ian Griffith’s career began in the early '90s, and he quickly gained recognition for his talent. In addition to acting, he has produced and written for several successful projects. Griffith has ventured into business, investing in health and wellness brands that align with his lifestyle and interests. His entrepreneurial spirit continues to thrive as he explores opportunities within and outside the entertainment industry.
In the summer of 1980, between his sophomore and junior year at College of the Holy Cross, Griffith made his Broadway debut when he replaced featured player Tom Cashin in the musical The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, under the direction of Peter Masterson and Tommy Tune at the 46th Street Theatre.
In a 1984 interview with the Los Angeles Times, the actor confided that Tune (for whom he audition) hired him more for his physique and dancing skills than his acting abilities. He later told The Star-Ledger in 1992, "They noticed 'Celtic step dancing' on my resume, and I was asked if I could demonstrate. So I cranked out a little step.
They loved it." Griffith performed various roles in the play, including a stage manager, a cameraman, and a football player named Aggie #12 who does a specialty tap-dance. He remained with the play for about a year.
Having a steady role in the play allowed the actor to move from Yonkers into an apartment in Manhattan, and he transferred to New York University, which he attended during the day. He also studied the Michael Chekhov acting technique in New York City during this time.
Social Network
Thomas Ian Griffith is active on several social media platforms, engaging with fans and sharing moments from his professional and personal life. His Instagram account features a mix of professional updates and personal reflections, connecting him to a broad audience. Griffith's presence on social media allows him to maintain his relevant position in the entertainment landscape while fostering a loyal fan base.
His best-known roles include Terry Silver in John G.
Avildsen's 1989 martial arts film The Karate Kid Part III, which he later reprised in the fourth through sixth and final season of the Netflix television series Cobra Kai (2021–2025), as well as voicing his character in the video game Cobra Kai 2: Dojos Rising (2022); head vampire Jan Valek in John Carpenter's 1998 neo-Western action horror film
Vampires; warrior Taligaro in Raffaella De Laurentiis' 1997 sword and sorcery picture Kull the Conqueror; recurring character Larry Sawyer in the first season of The WB's teen drama series One Tree Hill (2004); and Catlin Ewing in NBC's soap opera Another World from 1984–1987.
He also portrayed screen legend Rock Hudson in ABC's 1990 television biopic Rock Hudson, and serial killer Doug Clark in CBS's 2000 television biopic A Vision of Murder: The Story of Donielle.
Education
Griffith's educational background laid the foundation for his acting career. He graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in Theatre Arts, which significantly contributed to his performing skills. His education not only equipped him with the necessary tools for his career but also instilled a love for storytelling that he continues to pursue today.
In conclusion, Thomas Ian Griffith continues to be a dynamic force in the entertainment industry as he embraces new opportunities and remains connected to his audience. With a successful career, a strong family foundation, and an evolving investment portfolio, Griffith's journey in 2025 reflects resilience and passion.
He attended South Catholic High School in Hartford, graduating with the class of 1978, where he was Treasurer his junior year, Vice-President his senior year, and also co-editor of the school's yearbook, the Canticle. He won awards in algebra, biology, and chemistry, and was a member of the State Creative Youth.
He focused on sports his freshman year, playing football and basketball, but was later drawn into music and theater, as a member of the school's madigral and glee club.
His sophomore year, he joined the school's drama club, The South Catholic Players, when it needed a last-minute replacement piano accompanist for a production of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. As a way to meet girls who acted in the plays, Griffith also wound up acting in the school's productions.
His senior year, under the direction of John Kiely, he played the lead, Albert Peterson, in a March 31–April 1, 1978 production of the musical comedy Bye Bye Birdie. The play also starred Marie Fischetti, Steve Dolin, and Ellen Smith.
