I just want to take a moment to address the readers of my dad's blog. Maybe none of you will read this, maybe all of you will, but it doesn't matter. I feel like I need to get my two cents in, and that a comment just won't cut it.
My parents are my heroes. My father is truly the most amazing man I have ever known.
Do any of you who say such mean things and write such horrible comments stop to think about Tom's four children who are on the internet daily, reading daddy's blog, and seeing people say such awful things to him? Granted, I'm an adult, I can handle it, but what if my little brother reads those things? My dad is not a character in a movie. He is a father, a husband, and a man who works tirelessly to make my family's life as good as he can. And he does a fantastic job.
My dad made the decision that he would no longer sign anything from Back to the Future, and I couldn't be prouder of him. I was born shortly after the first Back to the Future came out, and therefore I have never known life without my dad being "Biff" to everyone else. I don't think I could ever explain to people how many times I have been walking with my dad and heard "Hey, McFly!" or "What are you looking at, butthead?"
I specifically remember going to a restaurant with my family, I believe to celebrate my sister's birthday, and a teenage guy came up to our table. He told my dad that he had a bet going with his friends that he was, in fact, Biff. My dad joked with him and told him he needed to get some money on the bet - so he came back with a 5 dollar bill. My dad told him he had won the bet, and signed the bill for him. Now, you can't tell me that my dad is rude, or ignores his fans. This teenager had just interrupted a family dinner, and my dad was kind and joked with him and probably made his day.
This kind of thing happened countless times. I have gotten autographs for my friends, I have been stopped by people on the street so I can take a picture of them with my dad, & I have been called "Biff's daughter" my whole life.
I remember my freshman year of high school, my science teacher would tease me and say she was only being nice to me because I was "Biff's daughter." I knew it was a joke, but being known as "Biff's daughter" gets old after a while. My dad's name is Tom, and my name is Mazie, and I have a lot to say and a lot to offer the world besides having a dad in an iconic movie.
My father is grateful to have been in this iconic movie, and I know he is happy that he means so much to people. My family could not be prouder of him for this. However, he has done so much more. He writes music, he paints, he sings, he plays the guitar (among other instruments), he takes care of his four children, two dogs, and wife, he does stand-up comedy, acts, writes, and makes people laugh everyday.
He is choosing to no longer appease the fans who only see him as one thing - "Biff." He will still take a picture with you. He will shake your hand. He will become your friend, and will sign anything else. But his name is Tom. And he is so much more than his character in a movie from 1985.
There is a time and place to let go of certain experiences, and I think it is time for my dad to let go of Back to the Future. He is not ignoring it altogether, nor is he discounting the experience as a positive one, nor is he insulting his fans. He simply can no longer be tied down by something that happened so long ago.
I don't think any of you will understand the impact this movie has had on his life and I think it's unfair for you to make accusations or to get angry over something you can't really grasp.
It is also unfair to compare my father with Michael J. Fox. Every actor makes his own choices, and they are all PEOPLE. Furthermore, Michael J. Fox is NOT known as "Marty McFly." I doubt his kid is known as "Marty's son." He is probably known as "Michael J. Fox's son." Still not great. But better.
In any case. I could not be prouder of my father. I think he is doing the right thing, and I know he doesn't care what anyone else thinks, but I do. I respect him more than anyone in the world, and he deserves your respect, too.
Please, be kind. He is not just a character from a movie. He is my daddy, and I will not just sit here quietly while people put him down.
I hope you can look past your selfish need for his autograph on your Back to the Future memorabilia, and realize the person that is beyond all that.
Thanks for reading. I guess that's all I have to say on this topic for the time being.
Mazie
24 comments:
AMEN.
Thank you, my precious jewel. I am proud of you for so many things, including your magnificent intellect and use of sharp judgement and the English language. Hey, some idiots might even flame you for this entry, but you're going to be around plenty of idiots for the rest of your life, so put in a mouthguard and go out swinging!
You're the finest daughter that any father could pray for.
Love, Daddy
Thank you for this
Great piece, my dear. The best thing your dad did was raise such fine children.
Too bad the rest of Hollywood didn't follow his example.
Back to the Future is my favorite movie and I always enjoyed watching your dad (before I knew he was your dad! Ha!), but now I respect him as a person because I know your character; and that means more than any film.
God bless!
Simone
This is lovely, Mazie. I love what you say here, and I love the way you say it, and I hope it causes people to think beyond their own selfish little bubbles, about the humanity of others!
so nicely put mazie. im so proud of you for this and adam and i agree 100% with everything you said. your daddy is one of the nicest people and your whole family has been one of the nicest families that we have had the honor of knowing. people can say whatever they want, but the people in his life that truly know him as Tom the dad, Tom the husband, Tom the painter, Tom the musician, and all the other things TOM does is the only thing that matters. Miss and love you guys! xoxox
Beautifully written.
Your father is a class act... I see it runs in the family.
just found this message board so this is a bit overdue but last August I got to see Thomas F. Wilson do stand up in Chicago..while he was hilarious and easily pokes fun at himself, I was a bit disappointed after meeting him. I DO know he works very hard and is under a lot of pressure but anyway.
My boyfriend and I were waiting in line after the show to meet him and the guy in front of me asked for 2 autographs, one for him and one for his friend. Thomas replied "I know you're just going to sell these online but I'll do it anyway" in a kind of rude way. Then when another man, who was clearly a HUGE fan, said that the Back to the Future movies were on HBO that day Thomas just kind of nodded his head and was like "Yeah, cool." We were last in line and when it was my turn, my camera wasn't working for a second and Thomas said that we needed to "hurry this up". I know he had a second show to do but still, I felt a little bit upset.
You do, in fact, have to hurry things up when there is another audience waiting for a second show and the club manager is asking you to please come back inside. I've been a gentleman to every single person I've come across, and I'm amazed at the commenters free time, since it happened so long ago, and they've entered this same experience on imdb and other sites. Wow. All for a "Yeah, cool," and a rush to perform another show! Wow, what a hobby!
You're an awesome chick! I would do the same for my father. People often forget that celebrities are human beings with families and private lives. I can't believe some of the comments I have read lately, and how snotty some people can be. Pay those people no mind. Your parents raised you well. Kudos for speaking your mind in such a polite, intelligent way. I'm not sure how to end this, so I will just say "good job!" :-)
Ryan from Arizona, are you for real? You're going to attack a man's character on his daughter's blog? People, seriously, have you nothing better to do in life than try to prove negative things about others? If you think Mr. Wilson is so rude, and you have only negative things to say about him....then why are you reading his blogs? Let alone his daughter's blog? Why are you so concerned with a man you seem to have such a bad opinion of? I think some people just love to stir up trouble. I do hope that everyone reading this realizes that life is too short to be so negative. You don't like this man? Fine. Leave him alone. You want to comment on a blog? Try spreading a little positivity. It won't hurt, I promise. Everyone please lighten up. Stop judging. Stop whining. If your offended by something that happened a YEAR ago....learn to let things go already. Also, if you have nothing positive or enlightening to say here, feel free to keep quiet and have a nice day. :-)
What is the story with "the video" anyway?
Mazie, a classy reply.
Glad to see too, that your family has a tight bond, which is not something everyone can say.
Mazie, on a different note, but curious what your take is on your dad's "Daughter Song?" (Personally, it's one of the funniest things I've ever heard!)
I too am curious about this video... whats it of?
Tom, What is this video all about?
People, please drop the whole "video" thing, ok? It isn't anything that matters. Just some disrespectful comment that was made (and promptly deleted) and the more you ask, the more disrespectful it seems. Please, let it go. Oh...and have a nice day. :-)
Kelly, why don't you let Tom and Mazie decide, okay?
Thank you to those of you who have responded in support & kindness, I really appreciate it.
To answer a few questions - this "video" is my dad's, not mine, so it's not mine to discuss - but it really isn't a big deal. Honestly, it was documentation of someone being extremely rude to my dad, so it's something that's up to him to share or not.
And also, about the daughter song... I think it's hilarious :) I like to jokingly show it to guys after a couple dates... it usually really scares them, but it shows me whether or not they have a sense of humor! haha
Mel.......Don't forget to have a nice day! :-)
Mazie girl, I couldn't be more proud of you. Your eloquence and strength of character are evident in not only this blog, but your life. I had the same reaction as you did to the comments on your Dad's blog and had drafted my own response. Thanks for being courageous.
Many people in your life will place you in a box and not allow you to breathe and achieve in new and different ways. Grandfather always taught us that we could be anyone and do anything we wanted and that you can make as many turns as you need along the way. I am so proud of you and I couldn't be more proud of my big brother who is a man of depth, intelligence, character and faith.
I love you muffin, Aunt Janie
Does this mean I can stop being Biff's brother.That would be nice.
Just saw your dad's show last night in Dallas. I loved his work on BTTF and loved his work last night! I'm glad I got to see him perform, meet him in person, and even be included as part of the act. (Advantage of sitting on the front row!) I just wanted you to know that you are lucky to have such a funny, talented father. And after discovering your blog this morning via his blog, he's lucky to have such a funny, talented daughter!
This is a tad late, but I saw Tom tonight in Brea, and I was awestruck at the many talents he showcased. Not only his set material, but his improvisation, and musical abilities were just phenomenal. I'll admit that I was a tad skeptical at first, but I was almost in tears within seconds of him coming on the stage.
I commend Tom for making the decision he did. While it may have been a breakout role that drew recognition his way (that I'm sure he is very thankful for) it certainly should not define his career in show business, nor his life as a private person.
I also commend Tom for raising a daughter who can so eloquently articulate what's on her mind when faced with adversity.
Congrats to you both.
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