Tobin Bell

Tobin Bell is an American film and television actor who most often plays the role of a villain or serial killer. A few of his notable roles include the Unabomber Theodore John Kaczynski in the 1996 made-for-TV movie Unabomber: The True Story. He also played a Jigsaw the serial killer in Saw (2004) and its sequels. In 2006 he received a nomination for Best Villain and Best Butcher in the Fuse/Fangoria Chainsaw Awards.

In the first Saw movie, Bell ’s character only spent a few moments in full view on the screen, and was face down for most of the rest of the movie. With each sequel he received more screen time.

Interestingly enough, although he is best known for his roles as menacing characters, Bell is not a fan of horror films.

Bell claims that playing a psychopath requires a certain mindset. He doesn’t see his on-screen personas as villains because he always wants to remain on his characters’ sides. He says, “It's interesting to play a character like that, but I don't do it any differently than I would do if I were playing an FBI agent or a guy who's on the right side of the law. I ask myself who am I, where am I, what do I want, how am I gonna get it? And then I throw that texture in as much as I possibly can so that I don't have to say things without knowing what I'm saying?”

To help promote his role in the Saw III movie, Bell donated two vials of his own blood to be mixed with red ink for 1000 posters that promoted the movie. All proceeds went to the American Red Cross.

When he was 30, Bell stopped drinking and claims that the lack of alcohol helps keep his voice very calm.

Bell was born in Queens, New York on August 7, 1947, but was raised in Weymouth, Massachusetts . He is the son of English actress, Eileen Bell.

Bell studied acting in New York City with Ellen Burstyn.

Besides his well-known Saw films, Bell has also appeared as non-menacing characters in the movies Mississippi Burning (1988), Ruby (1992), The Firm (1993) with Tom Cruise, and In the Line of Fire (1993) with Clint Eastwood, John Malkovich, Rene Russo and Dylan McDermott.

In addition to his many roles in movies, Bell has also guest-starred in several television shows including Seinield, ER, La Femme Nikita, The X-Files, The Pretender, Charmed,, Stargate SG-1, Alias,The West Wing, The Sopranos, and 24.

In addition to being an actor Bell is also a little league baseball coach.