Thomas Barbusca is a young American actor of 100% Italian descent who has built an impressive career in Hollywood since childhood, driven in large part by the inspiration and example of his older sister and fellow actress, Brielle Barbusca.
Best known for his starring role as the sharp-tongued, mischievous Chip Pemberton in the Fox sitcom The Mick (2017–2018), Thomas also appeared in the Netflix revival Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp, the horror anthology American Horror Story: Hotel, the film Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life, and the animated film Ron’s Gone Wrong.
With his signature red hair and natural comic timing, he has proven himself one of the most capable young actors in American television.
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Thomas Barbusca: History · Bio · Photo
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| Wiki Facts & About Data | |
| Full Name: | Thomas Barbusca |
| Born: | March 3, 2003 |
| Age: | 23 years old |
| Birthplace: | Toms River, New Jersey, USA |
| Nationality: | American |
| Occupation: | Actor |
| Height: | 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m) |
| Religion: | Christian |
| Parents: | Louie Barbusca (father), Debra Re Barbusca (mother) |
| Siblings: | Brielle Barbusca (older sister, actress) |
| Net Worth: | Approximately $500,000 – $3 million |
Early Life
Thomas Barbusca was born on March 3, 2003, in Toms River, New Jersey, to parents Louie Barbusca and Debra Re Barbusca. He comes from a close-knit Italian-American family and has one older sister, Brielle Barbusca, who is also an actress and his primary inspiration for entering the entertainment world.
When Brielle was cast in a series regular role on the hit USA Network series The Starter Wife, the Barbusca family relocated to Los Angeles, California a move that opened the entertainment industry’s doors to young Thomas as well. He was approximately six years old at the time of the move.
From the moment he arrived in Los Angeles, Thomas demonstrated a natural presence and quick wit that made him a favorite among commercial casting directors. Despite his young age, he had an instinctive feel for performance that translated powerfully on camera whether in a Domino’s Pizza ad or a Lunchables commercial. His surname is pronounced “Bar-boos-ka.” His zodiac sign is Pisces, and he has described himself as maintaining a positive attitude by focusing on the bright side of life. In his spare time, he enjoys playing video games, skating, and basketball. His acting role models include Emma Watson, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Aaron Paul.
Education
Thomas Barbusca grew up balancing his education with an active professional acting career. He has lived in Los Angeles since age 6 and attended school in the area throughout his childhood and adolescence.
Specific details about his schools have not been publicly disclosed. Like many child actors who begin professional work very young, he developed a self-described work ethic that complemented rather than replaced his formal education.
Career
Commercial and Early Television Work
Thomas launched his career as a toddler in television commercials. He went on to book award-winning advertising campaigns for major brands including Domino’s, Ford, Kraft, JC Penney, and Lunchables making him a familiar face to young American audiences long before he landed a scripted role. In 2015 and 2016, he was the face of GEICO’s Peter Pan campaign, playing Peter Pan at a reunion as the only person who hasn’t aged a campaign that was widely acclaimed for its humor and creativity.
On television, Thomas accumulated an impressive list of guest and recurring credits including Body of Proof (ABC), New Girl (FOX), Sam & Cat (Nickelodeon), Anger Management (FX, with Charlie Sheen), The Thundermans (Nickelodeon), The New Normal (NBC), Grey’s Anatomy (ABC), and Shameless (Showtime).
Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp (2015)
Thomas’s profile rose significantly when he was cast as Drew the sharp-tongued camp bully in Netflix’s revival miniseries Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp (2015), a prequel to the cult 2001 comedy film. His witty, scene-stealing performance in the ensemble comedy attracted Hollywood attention and established him as one of the breakout young talents of the series. He also appeared in the follow-up miniseries Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later (2017).
American Horror Story: Hotel (2015)
Following his Netflix breakthrough, Thomas was cast in a recurring role as Jimmy in American Horror Story: Hotel (Season 5, FX) appearing alongside Lady Gaga, Wes Bentley, and Kathy Bates. The horror anthology series allowed him to explore much darker material and demonstrated his versatility beyond comedic roles.
Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life (2016)
Thomas played Leo in the CBS Films adaptation of James Patterson’s popular novel Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life (2016), starring alongside Griffin Gluck and Lauren Graham. The family comedy gave him one of his most substantial early film roles, reinforcing his ability to hold the screen in mainstream theatrical productions.
The Mick (2017–2018)
Thomas’s biggest career role to date came when he was cast as Chip Pemberton the eldest, wealthiest, and most entitled of three children left in the care of their fun-loving but irresponsible aunt in the Fox sitcom The Mick (2017–2018). The show starred Kaitlin Olson and ran for two seasons. Chip Pemberton was a rich, preppy kid with a biting wit and a talent for manipulation a comedic villain role that allowed Thomas to showcase his natural comedic timing and created some of the show’s most memorable moments. The series developed a devoted fanbase and earned Thomas consistent praise for his performance.
Recent Work
Thomas voiced the character Jayden in the animated family film Ron’s Gone Wrong (2021), which earned over $50 million globally. He also appeared in the coming-of-age comedy-drama Big Time Adolescence (2019) as Will Stacey, alongside Griffin Gluck and Pete Davidson.
Social Media
Thomas Barbusca is active on Instagram (@thomasbarbusca) with over 500,000 followers, as well as on Twitter. He shares acting updates, personal content, and fan interactions through his platforms.
Personal Life
Thomas Barbusca keeps his romantic life private and has not publicly confirmed any relationships. He has stated publicly that his professional focus remains his primary priority.
He is known for his trademark ginger/red hair and his upbeat, positive personality both on set and in public. His close relationship with his sister Brielle who inspired him to pursue acting remains central to his personal life.
Net Worth
Thomas Barbusca’s estimated net worth is between $500,000 and $3 million, earned through his commercial campaigns, television work, and film roles since childhood.
His portfolio of major commercial campaigns for Fortune 500 brands would alone represent a significant income source for a child performer.
Filmography
| Grey’s Anatomy | 2014 | TV recurring |
| Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp | 2015 | Netflix Drew |
| American Horror Story: Hotel | 2015 | FX Jimmy |
| Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life | 2016 | Film Leo |
| The Mick | 2017–2018 | Fox Chip Pemberton (lead) |
| Big Time Adolescence | 2019 | Film Will Stacey |
| Ron’s Gone Wrong | 2021 | Film Jayden (voice) |
FAQs
Who is Thomas Barbusca?
Thomas Barbusca is an American actor born March 3, 2003, in New Jersey, known for playing Chip Pemberton in the Fox sitcom The Mick and appearing in Wet Hot American Summer and American Horror Story: Hotel.
How old is Thomas Barbusca?
He is 22 years old as of 2025.
Who is Thomas Barbusca’s sister?
His sister is actress Brielle Barbusca, who inspired him to get into acting and whose career brought the family to Los Angeles.
What is Thomas Barbusca’s ethnicity?
He is of 100% Italian descent.
Conclusion
Thomas Barbusca is one of Hollywood’s most accomplished child-to-young-adult actors a performer who began booking major campaigns as a toddler and has grown into a credible lead across comedy, drama, horror, and animation.
His breakout as Chip Pemberton in The Mick demonstrated real star quality, and his continued growth in projects like Big Time Adolescence and Ron’s Gone Wrong suggests a career with enormous potential. At just 22 years old, the best of Thomas Barbusca’s story is very much still to be written.
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