Tom Megalis' journey as an artist, filmmaker, and performer feels like a creative tapestry, woven with threads of humor, cultural heritage, and a deep sense of playfulness. Starting as a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, Megalis ventured into a world where Greek-American roots met American pop culture, creating a distinctive voice that effortlessly blended satire with visual art. His love for storytelling and character creation led him to produce stop-motion puppet animation for MTV, Comedy Central, and Nickelodeon, adding a quirky edge to shows like The Amanda Show and Kablam!.
As a voice actor, Megalis lent his voice to Old Goat on Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood and later voicing Captain Caveman for Yabba Dabba Dinosaurs. His feature film Sonny Days Youngstown Shakedown 2 is a testament to that, winning Best Feature Comedy at the New Hope Film Festival. His work has traveled the globe, showcased at prestigious events like the Sundance and Annecy International Animation Festivals.
But there’s another side to this storyteller: his love for radio, where Megalis’ characters Lou Koumatha and Costa became regular features on Pittsburgh’s WDVE. When he took to the airwaves in Cleveland as a morning radio host on WMMS "The Buzzard," it only added another layer to his persona—one that thrived on spontaneity, humor, and the art of conversation.
His fine art, on the other hand, is a canvas where everything—traditional painting, unconventional materials, and social critique—comes together. Like his animations, his mixed-media pieces draw from the color and vibrancy of life, while also carrying a satirical lens on modern culture. Recently, his skills were sought after by private buyers and national chains like Choolaah Indian BBQ, where he produced large-scale wall art and custom carved tables that echoed his playful yet thoughtful approach to creation.
Whether in a Cleveland studio or in Palm Springs, Megalis continues to tap into personal and cultural experiences to fuel his artistic practice. Every character, every table, every burst of color seems to tell a story, inviting viewers to laugh, reflect, and see the world through his uniquely eclectic lens.
Tom Megalis is continuously redefining himself as an artist; collaborating on a variety of projects around the world.