Tom Laughlin is an American director, actor, writer, producer, educator and political activist with an estimated net worth of $5 million. He is best known for the Billy Jack films, which he co-produced and in. He had a unique way in promoting The Trial of Billy Jack through television trailers during national news and an “opening day” nationwide release. This was a major influence on the way films were marketed since then.
Born Thomas Robert Laughlin on August 10, 1931 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, he attended college at both the University of Wisconsin and Marquette University. While at Marquette, he realized his passion for performance, and transferred to the University of South Dakota, where he earned a degree in Radio Acting, Directing and Producing.
Laughlin began his professional acting career with a role in the television series Climax. Since then, he has worked on projects such as Lafayette Escadrille, Tea and Symphony, and South Pacific. He also ventured into writing scripts and directing films, which led to his lasting fame in the industry. In 1967, his film Born Losers became a surprise hit. This was followed by another independent film Billy Jack which gave him the stardom and the opportunity to direct several successful sequels. However, he faced an illness as well as legal troubles that his works were greatly affected.
Tom Laughlin had to leave his film career. He started a Montessori preschool in Santa Monica, California which later became the largest of its kind in the United States. He also dreamed of becoming the President of United States and sought the office in 1992, 2004 and 2008. He became involved with psychology and domestic abuse counselling, as well as writing several books on Jungian psychology and developing theories on the causes of cancer.