Back To The Future's Thomas Wilson Based Biff On His Own Bullies

Thomas Wilson, the actor who played the archetypal movie bullies Biff, Griff and Buford ‘Mad Dog’ Tannen in the 'Back To The Future’ films, has said that he based the character on those who bullied him at school.

As the noteworthy October 21, 2015, approaches – the date Marty travelled to in 'Back To The Future II’ – the actor and comedian revealed the bittersweet origins of Hill Valley’s most enduring villain.

“A thin and sickly kid, I was pushed around and beaten up by bullies throughout my childhood, until I grew bigger than everybody and it stopped,” he told The Hollywood Reporter.

“I knew very well how they operate, and specifically the joy they take in scaring people. I’d stared them in the face so often that it wasn’t particularly challenging to do an impression.

“Underneath the tsunami of pop iconography is a performance of a difficult role that I worked very hard on, and I’m very proud of.”

He also spoke about why he’s not keen on attending the rounds of fan events, lauding the classic trilogy.

“The fact is, I’m a far better actor and artist at work, than I am a 'legendary icon’,” he says.

“I’m also working very frequently and am unavailable to appear at events.”

While best known for his roles as the Tannens, he’s never been short on work.

In recent years, he’s appeared in Steven Soderbergh’s 'The Informant!’ with Matt Damon, Melissa McCarthy and Sandra Bullock comedy 'The Heat’, 'Rio’ and also the 'Spongebob Squarepants Movie: Sponge Out of Water’ this year.

He’s long provided voices for 'Spongebob’, as well as the recent Nickelodeon cartoon show 'Pig Goat Banana Cricket’.

And that’s without his stand-up career. In case you’ve not seen it, his song about 'Back To The Future’ is splendid. Check it out below.

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Image credits: Yahoo/Rex Features