Actor, Singer. He was best known for playing the character roles of corporals, sheriffs, henchmen, deputies, and privates, and Elvis Presley style characters, usually in crime films, and classic western films and classic western television series. He will be best remembered for playing the role of 'Corporal Opie' in the comedy film, "Rally 'Round The Flag, Boys!" (1958). The film which was directed by and written by Leo McCarey, which was also written for the screen by Claude Binyon, which was based on the novel by Max Shulman, and which also starred Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, and Joan Collins, is a story all about the citizens of Putnam's Landing and their reactions to an Army missile base in their backyard. He is also best remembered for playing the role of 'Wes Cooper' in the episode entitled, "Lonesome Road," of the western television series, "Zane Grey Theatre," which originally aired on November 19, 1959, and which also starred Edmond O'Brien, Rita Lynn, Tol Avery, Howard Caine, Dee Pollock, and Dick Powell, tells the story of Marshall Ben Clark who cleaned up the town, but now he is going to far in his effort to suppress dissent. The townspeople decide he needs to leave town. He doesn't want to leave quietly. He was born as Thomas Peter Gilson (but was baptized as Thomas Daniel Gilson), in New York, New York, to Thomas Lenthan Gilson (1899-), and his wife Elsie Marie Tabor Gilson (1902-1947), on January 6, 1934. He was educated locally and later served his country during the Korean War. During this time, he was discovered by the film director Henry Hathaway in 1953. He made his actual debut playing the role of a 'Man' in the action adventure film drama, "Prince Valiant" (1954). The film which was directed by Henry Hathaway, which was written for the screen by Dudley Nichols, which was based on characters created by cartoonist Hal Foster, and which also starred James Mason, Janet Leigh, and Robert Wagner, tells the story of a young Viking prince who strives to become a knight in King Arthur's Court and restore his exiled father to his rightful throne. Besides, playing the role of a 'Man' in the action adventure film drama, "Prince Valiant" (1954), and playing the role of 'Corporal Opie' in the comedy film, "Rally 'Round The Flag, Boys!" (1958), his many other film credits include, "Young And Wild" (1958), "Home From The Hill" (1960), "The Threat" (1960), "The Rebel Breed" (1960), "The Crowded Sky" (1960), "Birdman Of Alcatraz" (1962), and "Convicts 4" (1962). Besides, playing the role of 'Wes Cooper' in the episode entitled, "Lonesome Road," of the western television series, "Zane Grey Theatre," which originally aired on November 19, 1959, and which also starred Edmond O'Brien, Rita Lynn, Tol Avery, Howard Caine, Dee Pollock, and Dick Powell, tells the story of Marshall Ben Clark who cleaned up the town, but now he is going to far in his effort to suppress dissent. The townspeople decide he needs to leave town, his many other television credits include, "The Phil Silvers Show" (He played 'Elvin Pelvin' in the episode entitled, "Rock 'n Roll Rookie," which originally aired on March 5, 1957, and he also sang the song, ""Every Man Must Have a Friend," in the episode), "Steve Canyon," "The Rough Riders," "Bourbon Street Beat," "Wichita Town," "Wanted: Dead Or Alive," "Surfside 6," "Bat Masterson," "Maverick," 'Outlaws," "Stagecoach West," "Coronado 9," "Bus Stop," "Tales Of Wells Fargo," "Cheyenne," "Shotgun Slade," "The Tall Man," "Bronco," "77 Sunset Strip," "Lawman," "The Rifleman," and "The Gallant Man." His last role was playing 'Deputy Gilley' in the episode entitled, "Red Sky Over Bismarck," of the western television series, "The Dakotas," which aired on January 14, 1963, and which also starred Larry Ward, Chad Everett, and Jack Elam, tells the story of a woman whose son is part Indian and asks Marshal Frank Ragan for help because she's afraid of the local authorities. He was married to the Playboy model (Playmate of the Month for the March 1957 issue of the magazine), and actress Saundra Lee Edwards Gilson (1938-2017), from December 8, 1961, until death on October 6, 1962). The couple had one child together, Thomas "Tom" Gilson Jr., born on December 8, 1961, but he was also a stepfather to her two children Camile Gilson born March 30, 1956, and Steven John Gilson born from her previous marriage. His life and career came to a tragic end in Van Nuys, California, on the night of October 6, 1962, when he went to his wife's sisters home following a day of drinking and broke in. A domestic fight began between him and his wife and he in turn was shot and killed by her. The couple had been separated for about two months. The coroner deemed his death a 'Justifiable Homicide,' but the incident destroyed her acting and modeling career. His funeral service was held through Forest Lawn Mortuary and at the Little Church of the Flowers. On an interesting, his longtime friedn the actor Steeve McQueen was one of the pallbearers. Following the funeral service, he was buried in Fprest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.