Had a crossed eye as a child and relied on the advice of a doctor who
suggested visual exercises. Since Tommy couldn't read very well, his
mother decided on dance lessons to correct it, which relies heavily on
spotting and focusing.
Studied tap dancing, acrobatic dance, and ballet from an early age.
Tommy played Lucentio in the musical film Kiss Me Kate (1953) opposite Ann Miller's Bianca. The Cole Porter song and dance number, From This Moment On, was not in the original Broadway show but was added to the movie to highlight the incredible dancing skills of not only Rall and Miller, but Bobby Van, Bob Fosse, Jeanne Coyne, and Carol Haney. It remains one of MGM's most thrilling dance sequences.
Later worked in the Trust Department in a bank and also took
commissions as a painter.
Made his musical comedy debut in 1948, in Los Angeles and San
Francisco.
His first MGM movie role was a short subject called "Vendetta" which
was about Napoleon.
He was a lifelong Democrat.
Upon his death, he was cremated and his ashes returned to his family.