The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 27, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Actor›Tom Pelphrey
Entertainment • Actor

Tom Pelphrey

Tom Pelphrey is an American actor known for television roles including Jonathan Randall on "Guiding Light," Ben Davis on "Ozark," and Ward Meachum on "Iron Fist." He has won two Daytime Emmy Awards and has also appeared in film and stage productions.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Tom Pelphrey is an American actor known for television roles including Jonathan Randall on "Guiding Light," Ben Davis on "Ozark," and Ward Meachum on "Iron Fist." He has won two Daytime Emmy Awards and has also appeared in film and stage productions.

Early life and education

Tom Pelphrey was born in Howell, New Jersey. He studied acting at Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts and also studied Shakespeare in London while at Rutgers.

Acting career

Pelphrey began his screen career in daytime television and gained recognition on "Guiding Light." He later built a career across television, film, and theater with roles in "Banshee," "Iron Fist," "Ozark," and other productions. He appeared in series including "As the World Turns," "Banshee," "Iron Fist," "Ozark," and "Outer Range." His film credits include "Mank" and "American Murderer." In 2023, he played Don Crowder in the HBO miniseries "Love & Death."

Awards and recognition

Pelphrey won two Daytime Emmy Awards for "Guiding Light." He also received further recognition for later performances, including his role in "Ozark."

Selected film and television roles

His notable screen credits include Jonathan Randall in "Guiding Light," Mick Dante in "As the World Turns," Kurt Bunker in "Banshee," Ward Meachum in "Iron Fist," and Ben Davis in "Ozark." In 2023, he portrayed Don Crowder in the HBO miniseries "Love & Death."

Key facts

  • Pelphrey was born in Howell, New Jersey, and studied acting at Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts.
  • He first became widely known for playing Jonathan Randall on the CBS soap opera "Guiding Light."
  • He won two Daytime Emmy Awards for his work on "Guiding Light."
  • He later appeared in series including "As the World Turns," "Banshee," "Iron Fist," "Ozark," and "Outer Range."
  • His film credits include "Mank" and "American Murderer," and he played Don Crowder in the HBO miniseries "Love & Death" in 2023.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Tom Pelphrey?
Tom Pelphrey is an American actor known for roles in television series such as "Guiding Light," "Banshee," "Iron Fist," and "Ozark."
When was Tom Pelphrey born?
He was born on July 28, 1982.
Where is Tom Pelphrey from?
He is from Howell, New Jersey, in the United States.
What is Tom Pelphrey best known for?
He is best known for playing Jonathan Randall on "Guiding Light" and Ben Davis on "Ozark."
Has Tom Pelphrey won awards?
Yes. He won two Daytime Emmy Awards for his performance on "Guiding Light."

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Pelphrey
    Supports: Birthplace, career highlights, notable roles, Daytime Emmy wins, and 2023 role in Love & Death.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1670601/
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, and education background.
  3. Us Weekly — https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrities/tom-pelphrey/
    Supports: Birthplace, Rutgers graduation, Guiding Light role, Daytime Emmy wins, and later career roles.
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/tom_pelphrey
    Supports: Selected credits including Guiding Light, As the World Turns, Ozark, Mank, American Murderer, and Love & Death.