Tom Arnold Opens Up About Filming 'Dead Ant' Amid Personal Tragedy

Life has a funny way of throwing curveballs when you least expect them. Picture this: you're about to step into the world of giant, bloodthirsty ants in the middle of the desert for your latest horror flick, Dead Ant. But just as you're getting ready to face these fictional terrors, you get the call no one ever wants to receive. That's exactly what happened to actor Tom Arnold the night before his first day on set. His dad had passed away, leaving him with a decision no one should ever have to make: honor your father's memory by showing up to work or take the time to grieve?

Tom, now 59, opened up about this tough moment during an exclusive interview with Closer Weekly at the Hollywood premiere of Dead Ant on January 22. "I had just been visiting him in the hospital in Iowa. I’m back in LA, set to start this movie the next morning at 6 a.m., when my brother calls me late at night with the news," Tom recalled. "I told myself, everyone’s waiting on me, but dad would’ve killed me if I didn’t go to work. As the oldest of seven, I had to make the call. 'Put him on ice,' I said—not literally, of course. 'I’ll be back Saturday for the funeral,'" he explained.

Jumping into work after such a personal loss isn’t easy, but Tom knew he had to find a way to channel his emotions into something productive. "I sucked it up and said, this has got to be fun. I’ve got to have the most fun possible to get through this. And guess what? It was! Because the other actors were genuinely having a blast," Tom said, reflecting on the experience. "Sometimes, laughter truly is the best medicine, and it carried me through those tough days."

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Tom Arnold's Role in 'Dead Ant'

Tom's role in Dead Ant adds a unique twist to the typical horror genre. Playing Danny, the band manager for the washed-up 80s hair-metal band Sonic Grave, Tom's character is desperate to reinvent the group. Their plan? A psychedelic journey into the desert inspired by Jim Morrison, complete with peyote and hopes of writing a hit single to perform at the Coachella reject festival, NoChella. The fun is evident in the film, as Tom dives deep into his crabby yet comical role, bringing a unique energy to the screen.

Sharing Stories and Finding Comfort

While filming, Tom found solace in the camaraderie of his costars, particularly when swapping stories about famous fathers with Sean Astin and Jake Busey. "Gary Busey is Jake’s dad, and I know Gary. Sean Astin’s dad is John Astin. Getting to hear their stories about their dads from their perspectives really helped me open up," Tom shared. "Even though their dads are incredibly famous, they’re still just their dads. Once I loosened up, I was able to talk about my dad in the context of their dads. It was therapeutic and exactly what I needed."

In the end, going to work turned out to be the best decision. "I can’t think of a better situation for all of this. There were so many laughs, and it was exactly what I needed to get through such a tough time," Tom reflected. Laughter truly is the best medicine, and it carried him through those challenging days.

Dead Ant Hits Theaters

Dead Ant hits theaters this Friday, January 25. Fans can look forward to a wild ride filled with humor, horror, and a heartfelt story of resilience and finding joy in the face of loss.