Tom Patchett

Writing

Tom Patchett

Born April 16, 1940 · East Lansing, Michigan, USA (age 86)

Tom Patchett (born April 16, 1940) is an American film director, screenwriter, actor and producer who is best known as the co-creator of ALF. He co-wrote the films Up the Academy, The Great Muppet Caper, The Muppets Take Manhattan, and Project ALF. He also wrote episodes of The Bob Newhart Show, We've Got Each Other, The Tony Randall Show, The Carol Burnett Show, and Buffalo Bill. Patchett founded…

Known For

The Muppets Take ManhattanThe Muppets Take Manhattan · 1984
The Muppets Take Manhattan
6.61984
MovieRomanceComedy
When the Muppets graduate from Danhurst College, they take their song-filled senior revue to New York City, only to learn that it isn't easy to find a producer who's willing to back a show starring a frog and a pig. Of course, Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy won't take no for an answer, launching a search for someone to take them to Broadway.
The Great Muppet CaperThe Great Muppet Caper · 1981
The Great Muppet Caper
6.91981
MovieComedyCrime
Kermit and Fozzie are newspaper reporters sent to London to interview Lady Holiday, a wealthy fashion designer whose priceless diamond necklace is stolen. Kermit meets and falls in love with her secretary, Miss Piggy. The jewel thieves strike again, and this time frame Miss Piggy. It's up to Kermit and the rest of the Muppets to bring the real culprits to justice.
Project: ALFProject: ALF · 1996
Project: ALF
6.01996
MovieComedyFamily
Six years ago, the lovable intergalactic fugitive Gordon Shumway, best known as ALF, was on his way back to his new home when the Alien Task Force finally caught up with him. Now, he is being studied at a top-secret military base where he finds allies who feel that ALF's existence should be announced to the world to ensure his safety... especially when they learn that the abrasive Colonel Milfoil wants ALF, and all Alien Life-Forms, destroyed.
Her Final Fury: Betty Broderick, the Last ChapterHer Final Fury: Betty Broderick, the Last Chapter · 1994
Her Final Fury: Betty Broderick, the Last Chapter
6.31994
MovieDramaThriller
The sequel to "A Woman Scorned: The Betty Broderick Story" in which Betty Broderick is on trial for the murder of her ex-husband and his new wife.
Dead and Alive: The Race for Gus FaraceDead and Alive: The Race for Gus Farace · 1991
Dead and Alive: The Race for Gus Farace
5.71991
MovieCrimeDrama
Both sides of the law hunt Costabile 'Gus' Farace for slaying a federal drug agent in 1989 New York.
In the Line of Duty: Manhunt in the DakotasIn the Line of Duty: Manhunt in the Dakotas · 1991
In the Line of Duty: Manhunt in the Dakotas
5.81991
MovieCrimeDrama
From the "In the Line of Duty" made-for-television movie series, Manhunt in the Dakotas is based on the true story of cop-killer/white supremacist Gordon Kahl.
In the Line of Duty: A Cop for the KillingIn the Line of Duty: A Cop for the Killing · 1990
In the Line of Duty: A Cop for the Killing
5.61990
MovieActionCrime
A look at the dangerous and bizarre life of an undercover cop who lives on the edge and the strife and heartbreak that comes with the job. There is also a tremendous amount of guilt and psychological pain when an undercover sting goes bad and they lose a comrade in the line of duty.
Up the AcademyUp the Academy · 1980
Up the Academy
4.71980
MovieComedy
Four boys are sent, for different reasons, to a Military Academy. The life of discipline asks a lot of the four geeks. Of course these boys know how to make a party out of the hard times. Will they be "real men" after one year.

Filmography

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The Muppets Take ScripthattenThe Muppets Take Scripthatten · 2025
The Muppets Take Scripthatten
2025
MovieComedyMusic
The Muppet Script returns to bring you THE MUPPETS TAKE SCRIPTHATTAN! When most people think of the Muppets, they think of the colorful characters made out of fleece and foam. But as with every movie, it all starts on the written page. Before returning to the big screen, the Muppets returned to the writers' room. Muppets stalwart FRANK OZ was joined by TOM PATCHETT and JAY TARSES to take the gang to Broadway, in FRANK OZ's solo directorial debut. With music by JEFF MOSS and RALPH BURNS, THE MUPPETS TAKE MANHATTAN is a toe-tapping treasure! This performance will be raising funds for BROADWAY CARES/EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS, the philanthropic heart of Broadway. They are one of the nation’s leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations, helping people across the country and across the street receive life-saving medications, health care, nutritious meals, counseling and emergency financial assistance.

Original Film Writer

Alf TalesAlf Tales · 1988
Alf Tales
7.41988
SeriesKidsComedy
ALF Tales is an animated American series that ran on the NBC television network on Saturdays from August 1988 to December 1989. The show was a spinoff from the series ALF: The Animated Series. The show had characters from that series play various characters from fairy tales. The fairy tale was usually altered for comedic effect in a manner relational to Fractured Fairy Tales. Each story typically spoofs a film genre, such as the "Cinderella" episode done as an Elvis movie. Some episodes featured a "fourth wall" effect where ALF is backstage preparing for the episode, and Rob Cowan would appear drawn as a TV executive to try to brief ALF on how to improve this episode. For instance Cowan once told ALF who was readying for a medieval themed episode that "less than 2% of our audience lives in the Dark Ages".

Creator