Tracing a Name: The Family Story of Thomas Duane Lister Iii

Basic Information

Family Lineage and Notable Figures

The name Thomas Duane Lister Iii carries the weight of continuity, the steady drumbeat of generations. The numeral at the end is more than an ornament; it’s a signpost—a thread binding a family line known to the public through the towering presence of Tommy “Tiny” Lister Jr.

Tommy “Tiny” Lister Jr. became a household figure through memorable roles that stitched themselves into pop culture: Deebo in Friday; Zeus squaring off in No Holds Barred; President Lindberg guiding humanity in The Fifth Element. Born on June 24, 1958, he crafted a career over decades, with hundreds of credits, a mix of menace and charm, and a charisma that made even brief appearances feel like thunderclouds rolling in. In the story of Thomas Duane Lister Iii, the father’s public persona forms a bright halo around an otherwise private life.

Felicia Forbes, named in public accounts as spouse to Tommy Lister Jr., anchors the family’s domestic narrative. She appears across years of reporting as partner and mother, her public profile restrained, steady, and—like many figures orbiting the entertainment world—defined by discretion. Together, they form the immediate frame around the son whose name threads into the family’s generational tapestry.

Beyond parents, paternal grandparents are part of the lineage often referenced: Thomas Duane Lister (senior) and Mildred Faye Lister. These names add shape to the line—grandfather, grandmother, and the tradition of repeating names that culminates in the “Iii” designation. In American naming culture, that suffix is both a nod to heritage and an echo of the past, an acknowledgment that identity can span decades.

A Brief Timeline of Public Mentions

While detailed biographical milestones for Thomas Duane Lister Iii are not publicly documented, the family’s broader timeline provides context. Key dates, repeating across public accounts, help map the terrain:

These points function as wayfinding markers. They do not fill in every detail about Thomas Duane Lister Iii himself, but they position him within a recognizable public narrative shaped by the father’s career and by the family’s choice to keep personal details private.

Parentage and Public Life

To understand why the son’s profile remains spare, it helps to consider the family’s dynamics in public spheres. Tommy “Tiny” Lister Jr. belonged to that rare class of character actors whose presence resonated beyond the screen. He embodied roles that became shorthand: Deebo’s bicycle, Zeus’s showdown, Lindberg’s steady command. As audiences followed those roles, attention naturally converged on the performer. The result: the family around him gained public recognition but not a spotlight.

In many families connected to high-visibility entertainment careers, children appear as names rather than faces. Mentions happen at life intersections—marriage announcements, milestone achievements, memorials—but otherwise, the children’s stories remain theirs to keep. By all public indications, Thomas Duane Lister Iii stands inside that pattern: known by name, defined by parentage, and specialized in privacy.

Navigating Inconsistencies in the Record

Public reporting on the Lister family contains one recurring wrinkle: references to children vary. Some accounts highlight a daughter named Faith Grace, often described with affection and attention, especially in social contexts and tributes. Other summaries list only a son, Thomas Duane Lister Iii. Some mention both. When coverage differs, it reflects the nature of aggregated information in the entertainment world—timelines overlap, phrasing changes, and details can be repeated or omitted as stories pass from one report to another.

For the careful reader, the takeaway is simple and old-fashioned: separate what is confirmed (names that appear consistently across public notices) from what is uncertain (dates, personal details, and private circumstances). In the case of Thomas Duane Lister Iii, the confirmed core is parentage; the rest remains respectfully unconfirmed.

Cultural Footprint and Privacy

There is power in a small footprint. When a name remains unadorned by public accounts—no interviews, no verified social profiles, no staged appearances—it becomes a silhouette against a brighter backdrop. That silhouette can be a choice. Privacy is a shield, and in the long shadow cast by Tommy “Tiny” Lister Jr.’s work, there’s room for family members to step away from public display.

This restraint illustrates a broader cultural principle: not every story needs to be told loudly or in detail to exist. Some stories are designed for dinner tables and quiet rooms, not for stages. For Thomas Duane Lister Iii, the public story is scant, but the strand of connection to a celebrated figure is unmistakable.

Names and Numerals: The Meaning Behind “Iii”

Generational naming is both lineage and lyric. The “Iii” affixed to a name signals continuity—first, second, third—like measure and rhythm in music. It speaks to families that view names as heirlooms, carried forward with respect. In a media landscape that prizes novelty, the numeral whispers something different: tradition, identity, and the gentle insistence that what came before still matters.

FAQ

Who is Thomas Duane Lister Iii?

He is publicly listed as the son of actor and wrestler Tommy “Tiny” Lister Jr. and Felicia Forbes.

Is there a verified date of birth for him?

No publicly confirmed date of birth has been provided.

Does he have siblings?

Reports vary; a daughter named Faith Grace is widely mentioned in connection with the family.

Is he active on social media?

No widely verified public accounts are attributed to him.

What is known about his career?

No reliable public information indicates a specific career or occupation.

Why is information about him limited?

The family appears to value privacy, and public reporting focuses primarily on his father’s life and work.

How is he connected to the role “Deebo”?

“Deebo” is the iconic character played by his father in Friday, a role that helped define the family’s public association.

What does the “Iii” in his name signify?

It denotes the third person in a generational line sharing the same name.