Tom Woodruff Jr. has worked on major Hollywood films and is an Academy Award winner.
Now he has the honor of being the first recipient of Loyalsock Township School District's Distinguished Alumni award.
Woodruff, who graduated from the township high school in 1976, will be presented with the award at a ceremony in the district's high school auditorium at 2:30 p.m. May 31.
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WOODRUFF
District Superintendent Robert Grantier said the honor was created to "celebrate graduates who have done outstanding work," no matter what field it is in. It is being given by the Lancer Foundation.
Woodruff made his way from the halls of Loyalsock Township to the bright lights of Los Angeles in 1982 - making a pit stop at Lycoming College to earn a theater degree.
Woodruff began his career with Stan Winston Studio and continues his work with special effects and costume design. The area native has worked on films such as "Terminator," "Predator" and "Pumpkinhead."
One of Woodruff's more recent movies is "Zookeeper," which stars Kevin James and Rosario Dawson. The film also features the voices of Adam Sandler, Sylvester Stallone and Cher. Woodruff had the opportunity to be in control and inside of the costume of Bernie - a gorilla who loves the restaurant TGIF - that was voiced by Nick Nolte.
"He's worked with just an amazing group of people," Grantier said of Woodruff's career.
Grantier added that this is an opportunity to celebrate the district's past, while looking at the future.
"I don't think we stop and celebrate - we celebrate the present, which is great - but I think we need to stop and celebrate the past," he said.
Woodruff - who lives in California with his wife Tami and sons Connor, Taylor and David - will be honored with a portrait that will hang in the high school, along with future recipients of the award. A 6 p.m. May 30 reception in the Community Art Center's Capital Lounge is planned, Grantier said.
Grantier hopes the event will show current students the opportunities that are available to them.
"I want our kids to see that someone who was sitting in their seats 30 years ago is in Hollywood working with some of the most prestigious people (in the business)."
Anyone interested in attending the reception may contact the district office to make reservations.
