Biography
Hardly diminutive, Tom "Tiny" Lister Jr. has made his imposing presence felt in a multitude of films since the mid-'80s. Originally a professional wrestler nicknamed Zeus and Z-Gangsta, the 6' 5" 275 lb. Lister retired in 1985 to pursue an acting career. After making his movie debut in director
Hal Ashby's final film
8 Million Ways to Die (1985), Lister spent the rest of the 1980s working primarily in A and B movies heavy on action, including
Runaway Train (1985),
Beverly Hills Cop II (1987), and
Walter Hill's
Extreme Prejudice (1987). Lister earned his first starring role playing his wrestling alter ego Zeus in the
Hulk Hogan vehicle
No Holds Barred (1989). Lister continued his run of B films in the early '90s, as well as appearing in
Walter Hill's higher profile actioner
Trespass (1992) with future co-star
Ice Cube, and
Jean-Claude Van Damme's
Universal Soldier (1992). As the 1990s went on, Lister played roles in a more varied assortment of films, including the quirky
Johnny Depp/
Marlon Brando/
Faye Dunaway romantic fantasy
Don Juan DeMarco (1995) and the
Quentin Tarantino-wannabe noir
Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead (1995). Lister got to act for Tarantino himself in
Jackie Brown, as well as play the President in
Luc Besson's
The Fifth Element. Lister's 1990s career also benefited from the decade's surge in African-American filmmaking, beginning with his starring role in
Mario Van Peebles' Western
Posse (1993). Lister subsequently starred as neighborhood bully Deebo opposite
Ice Cube in the sleeper hit comedy
Friday (1995). After appearing in comedian
Martin Lawrence's
A Thin Line Between Love and Hate (1996), Lister played a supporting role in
Ice Cube's directorial debut
The Players Club (1998), and starred as a hood in
Master P's
I Got the Hook-Up (1998). Adding to his eclectic credits in 2000, Lister notched another hit reprising his role as Deebo in the sequel
Next Friday (2000), and co-starred as one of Satan's sons in the
Adam Sandler comedy
Little Nicky (2000). ~ Lucia Bozzola, All Movie Guide