Campbell, Thomas (1969 – )

Versatile filmmaker and artist, best known to surfers for his soulful, well-produced films, including The Seedling (1999), Sprout (2004), and The Present (2009). Quiet, trend-setting, and ineffably cool, Campbell “looks like a cross between Slingblade-era Billy Bob Thornton and Morrissey from the Smiths,” according to surf writer Scott Hulet.

Campbell was born (1969) in Dana Point, California, began skateboarding at age five, surfing at 10, and shooting photographs at 11. Six years later his...