Thomas Woodward is the father of Welsh singer and actor Tom Jones born Thomas John Woodward. Thomas’ son Tom Jones’ career took off with a string of top 10 hits in the 1960s and he has since toured regularly. As an actor, he is known for appearing in Pleasure Cove, Silk n’ Sabotage, Mars Attacks!, and Agnes Browne, among others.
Thomas Woodward: Bio Summary
| Name | Thomas Woodward |
| Famous as | father of Tom Jones |
| Date of birth | 31 March 1910 |
| Place of birth | Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales |
| Died | 5 October 1981 (aged 71) |
| Parents | James Woodward and Annie Woodward |
| Spouse | Freda Jones |
| Children | Shelia Woodward and Tom Jones |
| Grandchildren | Jonathan Berkery and Mark Woodward |
Who Was Tom Jones’ Father, Thomas Woodward?
Thomas Woodward was born on 31 March 1910, in Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales. James Woodward and Ann/Annie Woodward were his parents. He was the brother of George Woodward and Keziah Woodward. He may have had other siblings. His father was English from Gloucestershire. His mother was also English but she was from Wiltshire.
There aren’t many facts about his childhood publicly available. Thomas Woodward’s educational details are unknown. He worked as a coal miner. He was married to Freda Jones (1914–2003). He and his wife Freda kept their union private. They had two children, a son and a daughter. Their son singer and actor Thomas John Woodward also known as Tom Jones was named after his father Thomas.
Thomas and Freda’s daughter is Shelia Woodward. While Shelia has lived her life away from the spotlight, Tom Jones is no stranger to the spotlight. Tom started singing at an early age. He was often singing at family gatherings, weddings, and in his school choir. Thomas and Freda were very supportive of Tom’s interest in music.
When Tom found success in his music career, his parents Thomas and Freda attended several showbiz events with Tom, including parties with Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jnr, and Liberace. Tom also took them to Acapulco, Barbados, and Bermuda. Thomas and Freda were proud parents. They were very proud of Tom Jones’ achievements.
Tom Jones has been active in the entertainment industry since the 1960s. His voice is distinct and has been described as a “full-throated, robust baritone”. Tom himself said of his voice: “What you lose on the top end, you gain on the bottom end. I used to be able to hit a top C when I was young now it’s a B flat.” He is one of the world’s popular singers.
ALSO, READ: Freda Jones: What Happened To Tom Jones’ Mother?
Tom’s performing range has included pop, R&B, show tunes, country, dance, soul, indie, folk, disco, and gospel. He is known for hits including “It’s Not Unusual”, “What’s New Pussycat?”, “Green, Green Grass of Home”, “Delilah”, “She’s a Lady”, and “Sex Bomb”. He has won a Grammy Award for Best New Artist and an MTV Video Music Award.
Tom Jones is also a two-time Brit Awards winner, winning Best British Male in 2000 and the Outstanding Contribution to Music award in 2003. He is also an actor. Speaking of acting, Tom said: “I have always wanted to try to act, but nothing ever came my way. And anyway, singing has always been the most important thing, so I’ve never really gone after a role.”
Tom Jones acted in Pleasure Cove (1979) and Mars Attacks! (1996). He played Ron in an episode of the TV Series, Playhouse Presents. He said of acting: “I was definitely out of my comfort zone. I learn songs – they come to me easily because songs rhyme; but scripts don’t. With songs, you have to have a picture – and I see things in pictures, anyway, because I’m dyslexic.”
“I thought acting was going to be more about getting the idea in my head, like I do with songs, and embellish on that. But [the writer] Jim Cartwright said it needs to be word for word because certain words trigger certain things, and if that word is similar but not exactly the same, it doesn’t have the same flow. I didn’t realise it was so important before I actually did it – I thought in acting, they ad libbed”.
ALSO, READ: Jonathan Berkery: Who Is Tom Jones’ Son?
What Happened To Tom Jones’ Father?
Thomas Woodward died on 5 October 1981, at the age of 71, in Los Angeles, California, USA. He reportedly died from Pneumoconiosis. His beloved wife Freda Jones died on 7 February 2003, at age 88. Thomas and Freda have been buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles County, California, USA.
Author
Fact Check
We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn't look right and needs corrections, Kindly contact us!
