Trivia

Berenger's earlier career before he became an actor was as a flight attendant for the now-defunct Eastern Air Lines.

Berenger's interest in Civil War history has led him to collect items on and research the American Civil War era in his personal life as well. One of his favorite roles was as Lt. General James Longstreet in Gettysburg (1993).

He was offered his role in Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King (2006) and had 24 hours to decide if he wanted. He agreed without even getting a chance to read the script. He read it for the first time on the flight to Australia for the filming.

Prior to acting, he was also a bellman at the former Alameda Plaza Hotel (now the Inter-Continental Hotel) in the Country Club Plaza section of Kansas City, Missouri.

Lives in Beaufort, South Carolina, when he is not appearing in films.

Turned down the part of Det. Sonny Crockett on Miami Vice (1984). The studio was hoping to land a big star, and also approached Nick Nolte and Jeff Bridges. He was also considered for a part in The Thin Red Line (1998).

Tom's first play was in high school was performed in the Spanish language for an advanced Spanish class. Being an extremely shy guy, he was forced to be in it by his teacher.

As of 2022, has appeared in four films that were nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: The Big Chill (1983), Platoon (1986), Born on the Fourth of July (1989) and Inception (2010). Of those, Platoon (1986) won in the category.

Admitted he hated making Sliver (1993) due to endless reshoots and script changes.

Berenger has six children: Allison, Patrick, Shiloh, Scout, Chelsea Berenger, and Chloe Berenger. He also has a stepdaughter, Julia (by wife Laura Moretti Moore).

Lived in Puerto Rico for several months in his 20s.

Berenger lent his likeness for Frank Jaeger, in Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake (1990).

He established the Tom Berenger Acting Scholarship Fund in 1988 to award theatre students for excellence in performance.

His father was a traveling salesman.

He was considered for the role of John McClane in Die Hard (1988).

He was considered for Kevin Costner's roles in The Untouchables (1987), Bull Durham (1988), Dances with Wolves (1990), and JFK (1991).

Listed as a "Promising New Actor of 1977" in volume 29 of John Willis' " Screen World", which is now up to volume 54 in 2022.

He was asked to reprise his Gettysburg (1993) role James Longstreet in the sequel Gods and Generals (2003), but declined. Bruce Boxleitner replaced him.

He won the role of Butch Cassidy in Butch and Sundance: The Early Days (1979) because of his resemblance to Paul Newman.

He was considered for Richard Gere's roles in Internal Affairs (1990) and Pretty Woman (1990).

He missed out on two roles that went to Peter Weller: he was originally cast as Sam Firstborn (1984), but had to drop out when he was injured in a car crash. He was also in talks to star in RoboCop (1987).

He was originally cast as Buck McGeehy in Runaway Train (1985), but dropped out to make Platoon (1986).

Considers Flesh & Blood (1979) as one of his best films.

Earned the highest rating (3 stars) from "The Bare Facts" -- a printed guide to on-screen nudity -- for eligible scenes in In Praise of Older Women (1978) and At Play in the Fields of the Lord (1991).".

He was considered for the role of Ned Racine in Body Heat (1981).

Was the second ill-fated Timmy Siegal on One Life to Live (1968).

He was considered for Nick Nolte's role in The Prince of Tides (1991).

He was considered for a part in The Thin Red Line (1998).

He lobbied for the role of Cutter in Cutter's Way (1981), but was turned down.

Berenger was considered for the role of "the Master" in Doctor Who: The Movie (1996).