Tommy Bayiokos

Tommy Bayiokos is an actor, model, drummer and percussionist whose long list of credits include being a band member for his late friend, Grammy-nominated songstress Laura Branigan. He was born Athanasios Bayiokos to Panagiotis and Eleftheria Bayiokos on May 22, 1965 in Brooklyn, NY. His father owned the popular Sugar Bowl restaurant across the street from Brooklyn College--City University of New York for decades, and his mother was a former "Miss Greek Independence" beauty queen. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1987 from Brooklyn College, where he was a member of the Brooklyn College Conservatory Jazz Ensemble and a stage actor in BC's Walt Whitman Theatre. He also trained for eight years at the famed Drummers Collective School of Music in Manhattan, New York Acting School for Film & Television, SAG Conservatory and in later years with renowned acting coach Wynn Handman. His many music credits include playing drums for the prestigious Miss America pageant from 1998 to 2001 and performing as front-man percussionist with Branigan's band from 2001 to 2004, headlining in such venues as Meyeroff Symphony Hall. In later years, he paid homage to Branigan, his late bandleader and special friend, in the award-winning iPod series "Mobituaries" with CBS correspondent Mo Rocca. Other performers he's played with include legendary crooner Frankie Avalon, jazz pianist virtuoso Lee Musiker and renowned rocker Richie Ramone. Bayiokos' acting career blossomed after appearing as an Elvis Presley tribute artist in 1999 on New York City-based WPIX-TV's Morning News. He went on to appear on PIX Morning News another dozen times through 2006, including an episode as a weather forecaster. Other credits include roles in the TV shows "Deadbeat," "The Next Best Thing," "Blue Bloods," "Madoff" and Oscar-winning TV series "FOSSE/VERDON." Bayiokos has also held roles in films including "The Pigeon," "Blood Ties," "Act Of Vengeance," "The Taking of Pelham 123" and "The Amazing Floydini." His Broadway and theater credits include the Shakespearean Sonnet Slam, being a recurring cast member since 2014 in the Off-Broadway show "Murdered by the Mob" and receiving rave reviews playing a modern day Benito Mussolini in the off-Broadway show "Eleanora Duse Dies in Pittsburgh." He has also had key roles in national commercials, including as a college football coach in an ESPN ad, and he was featured as a train conductor for a Bank Of America billboard displayed along the bright lights of Times Square. His modeling credits include portraying a Secret Service agent in the world issue of "French Vogue," and being the face of Sweden-based Exuviance Men's Skin Care. Bayiokos is also an accomplished Black Belt martial artist. He was inducted into the "Martial Art Hall of Honors" in 2009 and awarded "Ambassador of Goodwill" in 2011, 2014 and 2016. His talents have been featured in many major media outlets, including the New York Times, New York Post, New York Daily News, FOX News, People Magazine, and Backstage magazine.