Thomas Duane Lister Iii and the Uncertain Story of the Lister Family

A Name That Requires Care

When I encounter the name Thomas Duane Lister Iii, the first thing I need to make clear is that a separate public biography has not been established. The name appears in connection with the late actor Tommy Tiny Lister Jr, usually as a claimed son. That family attribution remains unconfirmed.

This is an important distinction. A repeated name can look like a complete identity when it appears in several places, but repetition does not supply a birth date, a personal statement, or an independently established family relationship.

The better established family account identifies Tommy Lister’s daughter, Faith. That does not justify claiming that the disputed name belongs to her, nor does it prove a separate son never existed. It leaves a boundary around what can responsibly be said.

The Actor at the Center of the Family Story

Tommy Lister Jr was born on June 24, 1958, and grew up in Compton, California. His birthplace has been inconsistently described, with both Arkansas and Los Angeles County appearing in accounts. His date of birth is much more firmly established than that geographical detail.

He became recognizable through a commanding physical presence and a distinctive screen personality. His Deebo in Friday in 1995 and Next Friday in 2000 became especially memorable. In The Fifth Element, released in 1997, he played President Lindberg.

I find the range of those roles worth remembering. One character intimidated a neighborhood; another led a futuristic world. The same performer could shift the scale while remaining instantly recognizable.

His work also crossed into professional wrestling. After No Holds Barred in 1989, he appeared as Zeus. A later wrestling appearance used the name Z Gangsta. These credits belong to Tommy Lister Jr, and should not be assigned to a third generation namesake.

Felicia Forbes and Their Marriage

Tommy married Felicia Forbes in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2003. January 26 is the date commonly associated with the wedding, although the year is more consistently established than the exact day.

Felicia has been described as a missionary and pastor from South Africa. The couple met during the period when Tommy was working on Blast. Their relationship later included a separation, but they were still described as married when he died.

Felicia’s own life is distinct from the uncertainty surrounding a possible son. Her marriage to Tommy is established. Her identification as the mother of a son named Thomas Duane Lister III is not.

Faith and the Limits of the Family Picture

Faith was named as Tommy and Felicia’s daughter when he died in December 2020. The fuller name Faith Grace Lister also appears, although Faith is the more consistently established form.

Her age was reported inconsistently at the time. That makes calculating an exact birthday or present age inappropriate. None is necessary to understand her relationship with her father.

The distinction between Faith and the disputed son claim is central. A daughter is firmly part of the public family outline. A second child with the name Thomas Duane Lister III has not been independently confirmed. I cannot turn that uncertainty into a sibling relationship simply because it would make a tidier family tree.

Tommy’s Parents and Siblings

The actor’s parents were Thomas Duane Lister Sr, also called Tommy Lister, and Mildred Faye Edwards Lister. His father has been described as a truck driver. His mother was named among the family surviving him in 2020.

Tommy’s siblings included Keith, Anthony, and Jill. Keith helped provide family information after the actor’s death. Those relationships are established as part of Tommy Jr’s family.

They become only claimed relationships when attached to Thomas Duane Lister III. Mildred and Thomas Sr would be paternal grandparents if the son attribution were confirmed. Keith, Anthony, and Jill would then be uncles and an aunt. I prefer to state that conditional link plainly instead of converting it into certainty.

A cousin through marriage, Vincent Brantley, also spoke publicly about Tommy after his death. His comments concerned the actor and his daughter, rather than establishing a separate son.

December 2020 and the End of a Public Career

Tommy died at his home in Marina del Rey, California, on December 10, 2020, aged 62. Later findings identified cardiovascular disease as the cause of death. A positive COVID test was also discussed, but it was not identified as the cause in that final account.

The loss prompted attention to his film characters, wrestling appearances, and family. His daughter was part of that remembrance. No confirmed public statement by Thomas Duane Lister III emerged.

What Remains Unknown About the Claimed Son

There is no established birth date, birthplace, education, occupation, or achievement for Thomas Duane Lister III. His age cannot be calculated. A verified personal account or interview has not been identified.

Nor is there a confirmed inheritance figure or personal net worth. Financial and legal matters associated with Tommy Lister Jr belong to the actor’s biography.

This leaves a short factual outline rather than a conventional celebrity childhood story. The family around Tommy can be described, while the disputed name remains a question within that outline.

FAQ

Who is Thomas Duane Lister III?

The name has been used for a claimed son of Tommy Lister Jr, but a distinct personal biography and family relationship remain unconfirmed.

Did Tommy Lister have a daughter?

Yes. Faith was publicly identified as his daughter with Felicia Forbes.

Is Faith the same person as Thomas Duane Lister III?

That has not been established.

Was Thomas Duane Lister III an actor?

No separate acting career has been established under that name. Tommy Lister Jr’s film and wrestling work should remain credited to him.

How old is Thomas Duane Lister III?

No reliable birth year or birthday is established, so an age cannot responsibly be given.