Shadows cast by bright stars have always fascinated me. Amanda Tomalin has my attention because of that. She was born in New York City in May 1954 into a family of eight. The family moved from Jackson Heights, Queens, to Edison, NJ. They enjoyed Catholic customs and Woodside Swim Club events. Family camping vacations in New York and New Jersey added adventure. Amanda attended local Catholic schools. Edison High School graduated her. Pace and Post universities later educated her. Unlike her famous sister, she chose a life away from cameras. I see her as a steadfast anchor in celebrity waves. Her narrative is like a gentle river flowing away from fame’s thunder.
The Tomalin Family Roots and Dynamics
The Tomalin family dynamic always strikes me as both chaotic and warm. With a 20 year age span among the nine siblings the eldest often stepped in as a second parent. Their father Phillip Leslie Tomalin Senior born in 1917 and passed in 1999 worked as an advertising executive and television producer. He once sang in nightclubs and encouraged his kids in activities. Their mother Lenora Marie Tomalin born in 1923 and passed in 2020 served as a devoted homemaker. She volunteered for charities and instilled strong Catholic values. The parents moved the family to New Jersey seeking better opportunities. Ancestry mixed English Irish and Welsh roots on the father’s side with Italian heritage from the mother’s Tuscany and Sicily lines.
Here is a table outlining the immediate family members I uncovered in my exploration.
| Family Member | Relation to Amanda | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Phillip Leslie Tomalin Sr. | Father | 1917 to 1999 advertising executive TV producer nightclub singer |
| Lenora Marie Tomalin | Mother | 1923 to 2020 homemaker charity volunteer |
| Susan Sarandon | Eldest Sister | Born October 4 1946 renowned actress and activist mother of Eva Amurri Miles Robbins and Jack Henry Robbins |
| Phillip Leslie Tomalin Jr. | Brother | Born around 1952 film crew member on movies like Thelma and Louise |
| Tim Tomalin | Brother | Married to Christine Fedorka Tomalin attended Kent State University around 1967 |
| Terry Tomalin | Brother | November 25 1960 to May 19 2016 outdoors journalist founded Tampa Bay Frogman Swim raised over 1 million dollars for Navy SEAL Foundation |
| O Brian Tomalin | Brother | Writer and filmmaker restaurant owner married to Meghan Tomalin father of four |
| Meredith Merry Tomalin Carroll | Sister | High end florist at The Botaniste married to Jon Carroll since September 2001 mother of four |
| Bonnie Priscilla Tomalin Lyons | Sister | Worked in New Brunswick City Government engaged in 1970 |
| Melissa Missy Tomalin Hier | Sister | Hairstylist mother of Tucker and Nora |
This table captures the breadth of the clan. Susan as the oldest often cared for the younger ones. The family gathered for milestones including Eva Amurri’s wedding in June 2024 in New York’s Hudson Valley. Those moments remind me how family threads weave a rich tapestry of heritage that fame cannot unravel.
Amanda Tomalin’s Personal Life and Marriage
Amanda Tomalin married radio executive Bob Sherman around 1983. They shared 28 years together until his passing on August 14 2011. Bob born June 28 1942 built a notable career. He served as vice president at WNBC in the late 1970s and 1980s. There he helped revive the station by bringing on Don Imus and Howard Stern. Later he co founded an advertising agency and chaired Double O Radio. Amanda and Bob raised six children in their home in Chappaqua New York. The kids include sons Tate Luke and Scott plus daughters Jessica Tess and Nell. The couple lived comfortably in this affluent suburb. After Bob’s death from cancer at age 69 Amanda became a widow. She has kept her family life private with little public information on her children’s current paths. In my view their marriage resembled a well tuned radio broadcast. It delivered consistent support amid life’s static.
Career Insights and Achievements of Amanda Tomalin
Public details about Amanda Tomalin’s career remain scarce. She pursued education at two universities yet no specific professional achievements surface in available records. She has avoided the entertainment world that her sister Susan navigates with such grace. No finance details or business ventures appear documented. Amanda focuses on family rather than spotlight moments. This choice sets her apart in a family touched by fame. I appreciate this understated approach. It adds depth to the family narrative and proves that success can bloom in silence.
Recent Moments and Family Gatherings
Recent years fostered family closeness. Amanda attended Eva Amurri’s Hudson Valley wedding to chef Ian Hock in June 2024 with siblings. Such incidents demonstrate decades-long relationships. Amanda is unlisted on social media. I admire her discretion. Her personal postings and updates are missing from multiple platforms. Instead, private gatherings and memories keep the family together. I imagine siblings smiling at those 2024 wedding images like puzzle pieces joining together after years apart.
An Extended Timeline of Amanda Tomalin’s Life
To organize the key dates and events I compiled this timeline table. It spans from her birth to the present and highlights how family defined every chapter.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| May 1954 | Birth in New York City |
| Late 1950s to 1970s | Raised in Edison New Jersey attended Catholic schools and Edison High School |
| 1970s to early 1980s | Studied at Pace University and Post University |
| Around 1983 | Married Bob Sherman |
| 1980s to 2011 | Lived in Chappaqua New York and raised six children |
| August 14 2011 | Became widow after Bob Sherman’s death |
| 2016 | Attended brother Terry Tomalin’s memorial paddle out in Florida |
| 2020 | Mourned mother Lenora’s passing |
| June 2024 | Participated in niece Eva Amurri’s wedding gathering |
This timeline reveals a life marked by family milestones rather than public fanfare. Numbers show the span: nine siblings total 28 years of marriage six children and countless shared swims and campouts. Each entry feels like a chapter in a book written for an audience of one: her loved ones.
FAQ
What is Amanda Tomalin’s connection to actress Susan Sarandon?
Amanda Tomalin is one of Susan Sarandon’s eight siblings. She serves as aunt to Susan’s children including Jack Henry Robbins.
How many children did Amanda Tomalin raise?
Amanda Tomalin and her husband Bob Sherman raised six children together: Tate Luke Scott Jessica Tess and Nell.
When did Amanda Tomalin’s husband pass away?
Bob Sherman passed away on August 14 2011 at the age of 69.
Where did the Tomalin family grow up?
The Tomalin family grew up primarily in Edison New Jersey after moving from Queens New York.
What traditions defined the Tomalin household?
The family emphasized Catholic values swimming at the Woodside Swim Club and camping vacations in New York and New Jersey.
Did Amanda Tomalin pursue a public career like her sister?
No Amanda Tomalin maintained a private life with no notable public professional profile or social media presence.
