Tom Waits is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and actor. He has been active in the music industry since the early 1970s and is known for his distinctive voice, songwriting style, and lyrical content. Waits has released 16 studio albums, including Swordfishtrombones, Rain Dogs, and Mule Variations. He has also appeared in several films, including Down by Law, Mystery Men, and The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.