Tom Collins (RENT)

Thomas B. Collins (a.k.a. Collins) is a fictional character in the musical RENT. He is Mark and Roger's friend and ex-roommate. He in Angel's lover and is HIV positive. He teaches at New York University and teaches his students in computer-aged philosophy after getting kicked out of MIT for his theory of Actual Reality. He is normally the calmer of the fights going on between the characters in the movie. He is never seen without Angel until Angel's death. He is normally portrayed by an African American in the musical. He was originally portrayed by Jesse L. Martin, and was also played by him in the 2005 film.