Reality TV Producer Bruce Toms, Dead at 55

Pasadena resident and reality TV producer Bruce Toms has died due to natural causes at his home. He was 55.

Representatives from the Beverly Hills-based talent agency William Morris Endeavor Entertainment LLC (WME) said Toms died on Christmas Day.

Toms was most recently working on Bravo’s “Timber Creek Lodge” before he died.

Tom’s extensive list of reality TV shows include “Celebrity Wife Swap,” “Secret Millionaire,” “Wife Swap,” “The Judds,” “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew,” “Nanny 911,” “Paradise Hotel” and “Workout.”

He was nominated for the Emmy’s in 2001 for his work on MTV’s long-running “Road Rules.”

“Bruce produced lots of series for Bunim-Murray Productions including MTV’s ‘Road Rules’ and Fox’s ‘Love Cruise,’” fellow producer Jonathan Murray said in a statement. “His talent was enormous. But what made him truly special, was his kind and loving soul.”

A native of Grand Rapids, Minn., Toms attended the University of Minnesota Duluth before moving to New York to pursue a career as an actor. He starred in the national touring company production of Harvey Fierstein’s “Torch Song Trilogy.”

In 1985, Toms joined the entertainment industry non-profit Young Artists United (YAU), where he honed his social and political activism that would shape his creative vision and guide the rest of his career.

“From the moment Bruce arrived in our lives, he infused YAU board meetings with wisdom, passion and integrity,” said YAU co-founder Daniel Sladek. “We were all in our early twenties and just beginning our careers, and his ability to transform ideas into action was matched by his electrifying charm. He definitely enhanced the lives of those who knew him.”

In 1987, Toms joined fellow YAU board member Douglas Ross’ reality production company Evolution Media, and produced the antinuke documentary “Change the World,” shot in the Soviet Union.

“Bruce Toms was a visionary whose creativity was only matched by his compassion and activism to make the world a better place,” said Ross.

Toms exited Evolution in 1996 to become an independent director and producer. He guided numerous productions for Fox, MTV, Bravo and OWN, among others.

WME representative Mark Itkin said Toms was his friend and client for close to 20 years.

“He was a lovely, kind and loyal gentleman with a great sense of humor,” Itkin said of the artist. “As a producer he was an excellent storyteller and respected leader. He left us way too soon.”

Toms is survived by his mother Carol; siblings Blake and Lisa, Brian and Cindy, and Julie and Mark; nieces Katie Schmidt and Jenna Toms.

A memorial service was planned for December 31 at Bethel-Trinity Lutheran Church in Bovey, Minn. WME said a life celebration will be held in the Los Angeles area at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to Second Harvest North Central Food Bank, Star of the North Humane Society, and Alliance for Housing and Healing.