David Tom

Charles David Tom (born March 23, 1978) is an American actor. He is best known for playing the roles of Billy Abbott on The Young and the Restless (1999 to 2002, 2013 to 2014) and Paul Cramer on One Life to Live (2004). He won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actor in 2000 for his work on The Young and the Restless.

Early life
Tom was born in Hinsdale, Illinois. He is the twin brother of actress Nicholle Tom, who played Maggie Sheffield on The Nanny. He guest-starred with her on an episode of Criminal Minds in 2008. They have one older sibling, Heather Tom, who played Tom's sister on One Life to Live and co-starred with him on The Young and the Restless.

When Tom was eight, his family moved from Chicago, Illinois to Seattle, Washington because of his father's work. A year later, his mother brought all three children to Los Angeles for pilot season. They relocated there permanently, with Tom's father staying behind in Seattle and his parents divorcing. His mother got a job as a speech therapist for the Pasadena school system, while the children pursued acting. Tom studied at the Young Actors Space and worked with acting teacher Diane Hardin.

Career
After appearing in print advertisements and television commercials, Tom made his film debut with an uncredited role in Plain Clothes in 1988. He then landed a regular role as Bart McCray on the NBC series Brand New Life (1989-1990). He made guest starring appearances on Get a Life and Just the Ten of Us. Tom was cast as Sponge in the pilot episode of the Nickelodeon series Salute Your Shorts.

Tom played Andy, a young boy suffering from psychosomatic paralysis, in the 1992 TV Movie Stepfather III. He played Darryl Knable in the film Stay Tuned, co-starring with John Ritter. Tom received Young Artist Award nominations for his roles in both films.

In 1993, Tom played Willi in the historical film Swing Kids, garnering another Young Artist Award nomination. He had recurring roles on Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman and Quantum Leap. Tom appeared in the TV movies A Place to Be Loved and Summertime Switch.

Tom starred as Jacob McKay, a young boy who gets stranded in the Rocky Mountains, in the 1995 film Walking Thunder. He played a younger version of D.B. Sweeney's character in the comedy-drama film Roommates and guest starred on Sister, Sister.

He appeared as Whitey in the 1998 comedy-drama film Pleasantville, co-starring with Tobey Maguire and Reese Witherspoon. Tom also had a role in the NBC TV mini-series The 60s. He played David Cass in the TV movie Man of Miracles (also known as Holy Joe), co-starring again with John Ritter. In 1999, Tom had recurring roles on Cousin Skeeter and Party of Five.

Tom played the role of Billy Abbott on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless, from June 1999 to August 2002. He won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actor for his role on The Young and the Restless in 2000. He was nominated again in the same category in 2001. He also won a Soap Opera Digest Award in 2000 for Outstanding Male Newcomer. He received a Soap Opera Digest Award nomination for Outstanding Younger Lead Actor in 2001.

In February 2004, it was announced that he would be joining the cast of One Life to Live as Paul Cramer, replacing Brock Cuchna. His real-life sister, Heather Tom, played his half-sister, Kelly Cramer. He was involved in a crossover storyline with All My Children, making several appearances on that show. He took a temporary leave of absence from OLTL in July 2004 before a permanent departure was announced in September 2004.

Tom played Jacob Sterling in the 2004 horror film The Hazing. He had a recurring role as Chip Diller on Veronica Mars (2006 to 2007). In 2010, he played Daniel Whittaker in the Hallmark Channel movie Love Begins. He also appeared in the 2013 film Pendejo (Idiot). He had guest starring roles on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, 90210, Supernatural and Criminal Minds.

It was announced in November 2013 that he would be reprising the role of Billy Abbott on The Young and the Restless, replacing Billy Miller. Four months after his return, he was abruptly fired and replaced with Burgess Jenkins. Tom said he was replaced because he looked too young when paired with his love interest, Cady McClain.

Tom guest-starred in episodes of NCIS: New Orleans and NCIS in 2015. He also played the role of Tobey in the film Chasing Yesterday. In 2019, Tom played Staff Sgt. Kuhn in the film D-Day: Battle of Omaha Beach.