Tom Reilly

Thomas Michael Reilly III (born, in Fort Riley North, Kansas) is an American actor, known for his role as Officer Bobby "Hot Dog" Nelson in CHiPs, a television series about the motorcycle officers of the California Highway Patrol. Prior to his acting career, he was a star football player at Montclair State College (now Montclair State University) in Upper Montclair, New Jersey but eventually dropped out. On June 18, 1982, he went into NBC studios for a screen test. His first role on CHiPs was Officer Rick Nichols in the May 23, 1982, episode "Force Seven," a rejected pilot for a new series. After the departure of Larry Wilcox, Tom returned in the role of Officer Bobby Nelson, the new partner of Ponch (Erik Estrada). His role of Officer Bobby Nelson was featured somewhat less prominently in the final episodes, with Officer Bruce Nelson (Bruce Penhall), his younger brother, eventually becoming Ponch's partner in the episode "Fast Company." CHiPs was eventually cancelled by the spring of 1983. Bobby Nelson did not return in the reunion film, CHiPs '99. He stopped acting in 1997. In 2005, he worked at the Orco Construction Supply in Salinas, California. He lives in the Monterey Peninsula and is currently dating singer/songwriter Judy Lynne of the Bay Area, California.