Tommy Bayiokos is an actor, model, drummer and percussionist whose long list of credits include being a band member for his late friend, Grammy-nominated songstress Laura Branigan. He was born Athanasios Bayiokos to Panagiotis and Eleftheria Bayiokos in Brooklyn, NY. His father owned the popular Sugar Bowl restaurant across the street from Brooklyn College--City University of New York for decades, and his mother was a former "Miss Greek Independence" beauty queen. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1987 from Brooklyn College, where he was a member of the Brooklyn College Conservatory Jazz Ensemble and a stage actor in BC's Walt Whitman Theatre. He also trained for eight years at the famed Drummers Collective School of Music in Manhattan, New York Acting School for Film & Television, SAG Conservatory and in later years with renowned acting coach Wynn Handman. His many music credits include playing drums for the prestigious Miss America pageant from 1998 to 2001 and performing as front-man percussionist with Branigan's band from 2001 to 2004, headlining in such venues as Meyeroff Symphony Hall. In later years, he paid homage to Branigan, his late bandleader and special friend, in the award-winning iPod series "Mobituaries" with CBS correspondent Mo Rocca. Other performers he's played with include legendary crooner Frankie Avalon, jazz pianist virtuoso Lee Musiker and renowned rocker Richie Ramone. Bayiokos' acting career blossomed after appearing as an Elvis Presley tribute artist in 1999 on New York City-based WPIX-TV's Morning News.
