Tom Petty - Actor Profile

Tom Petty

Acting
Freshness: Jan 19, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Oct 20, 1950
Birth Place: Gainesville, Florida, USA

About Tom Petty

Thomas Earl Petty (October 20, 1950 – October 2, 2017) was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He was the leader and frontman of the rock bands Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Mudcrutch and a member of the late 1980s supergroup the Traveling Wilburys. He was also a successful solo artist. Over the course of his career, Petty sold more than 80 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling artists of all time. His hit singles with the Heartbreakers include "American Girl" (1976), "Don't Do Me Like That" (1979), "Refugee" (1980), "The Waiting" (1981), "Don't Come Around Here No More" (1985) and "Learning to Fly" (1991). Petty's solo hits include "I Won't Back Down" (1989), "Free Fallin'" (1989), and "You Don't Know How It Feels" (1994). Petty and the Heartbreakers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. Petty was honored as MusiCares Person of the Year in February 2017 for his contributions to music and for his philanthropy. He also acted; he had a recurring role as the voice of Lucky Kleinschmidt in the animated comedy series King of the Hill from 2004 to the show's conclusion in 2009. Petty died of an accidental drug overdose in 2017 at the age of 66, one week after the end of the Heartbreakers' 40th Anniversary Tour. Description above from the Wikipedia article Tom Petty, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Tom Petty reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Music

The majority of Tom Petty's filmography leans towards the Music genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 46% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Tom Petty remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Hard to Handle: Bob Dylan in Concert, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Tom Petty Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Tom Petty's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Tom Petty.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2025 Fame and Fentanyl Self (archive footage) Flop Similar →
2024 Heartbreakers Beach Party Self Average Similar →
2021 Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band: The Legendary 1979 No Nukes Concerts Self Average Similar →
2021 Tom Petty, Somewhere You Feel Free Himself (archive footage) Hit Similar →
2019 Echo in the Canyon Self Hit Similar →
2018 Elvis Presley: The Searcher - Hit Similar →
2016 Night Flight: Born Again Self Flop Similar →
2015 $aving Dat Money Tom Petty Flop Similar →
2015 It's Only Rock 'n' Roll: Rock 'n' Roll at the BBC Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2014 Roy Orbison: Mystery Girl - Unraveled Self Hit Similar →
2013 Sound City Self Hit Similar →
2012 Mr. Blue Sky: The Story of Jeff Lynne & ELO Self Hit Similar →
2012 Mike Campbell: The Guitars Self Flop Similar →
2010 Classic Albums: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - Damn the Torpedoes Self Average Similar →
2008 The Best Of Sound Stage - Flop Similar →
2008 Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - Live from Gatorville - Flop Similar →
2007 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Runnin' Down a Dream Self Super Hit Similar →
2007 The True History Of The Traveling Wilburys Self Hit Similar →
2007 Crystal Visions: The Very Best of Stevie Nicks - Flop Similar →
2006 Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers: 30th Anniversary Concert himself Flop Similar →
2005 Live Aid: 20 Years Ago Today Self Flop Similar →
2005 Tom Petty & Heartbreakers - Free Fallin' Lead Vocals / Guitar Flop Similar →
2004 Live Aid Self Super Hit Similar →
2003 Concert for George Self Super Hit Similar →
2003 Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers - Live at the Olympic (The Last DJ) Singer, Guitar Super Hit Similar →
2003 Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers: Live in Concert vocals, guitar Average Similar →
2001 America | A Tribute to Heroes Self - Performer Average Similar →
1999 Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers - High Grass Dogs - Live from the Fillmore Himself Super Hit Similar →
1999 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: VH1 Storytellers Self Flop Similar →
1999 Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers: Live at the Docks, Hamburg himself Hit Similar →
1997 The Postman Bridge City Mayor Average Similar →
1997 Wired for Sound: A Guitar Odyssey Self Flop Similar →
1995 Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers: Playback Self Super Hit Similar →
1995 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: 400 Days Self Flop Similar →
1995 Brian Wilson: I Just Wasn't Made for These Times Self Hit Similar →
1994 Tom Petty: Going Home Self Flop Similar →
1993 Bob Dylan: The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration Self Super Hit Similar →
1992 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Take the Highway Live Self Flop Similar →
1989 Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers - A Bunch Of Videos And Some Other Stuff Self Flop Similar →
1987 Made in Heaven Stanky Hit Similar →
1986 Hard to Handle: Bob Dylan in Concert Self Super Hit Similar →
1986 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Pack Up the Plantation - Live! - Super Hit Similar →
1986 Bridge School Benefit Concert 1986 Self Flop Similar →
1985 Live Aid Self Super Hit Similar →
1984 The Everly Brothers: Songs of Innocence and Experience Self Average Similar →
1980 No Nukes Self Flop Similar →
1980 Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers: Rock Goes to College Performer Super Hit Similar →
1978 FM Self Hit Similar →
1977 Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers: Live at Rockpalast - Flop Similar →
N/A Tom Petty - Mojo Tour 2010 - Flop Similar →

Tom Petty - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Tom Petty?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Tom Petty is "Hard to Handle: Bob Dylan in Concert" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Tom Petty acted in?

Tom Petty has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Tom Petty?

Other notable films include "Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Pack Up the Plantation - Live!", "Live Aid", and "Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers: Playback".