Tom McCarthy began his career in the film industry in the sound effects library at MGM Studios were he held various positions as a picture assistant, foley walker, sound editor and sound supervisor. 

From MGM, McCarthy went on to open his own companies; Effective Sound Unlimited and The Sound Choice. At these companies he functioned as the owner, operator and sound supervisor for sound editorial until 1991 when McCarthy was asked by Sony Pictures Studios to run their sound editorial department, while continuing his creative talents as a supervising sound editor/designer.

It was during this time that McCarthy was working on Frances Ford Coppola’s Bram Stoker’s Dracula, which garnered him an Academy Award^® in the Sound Editing Category (1992)

He has also received a British Academy Award (BAFA) for best sound on Out Of Africa. His other sound editing credits include: Tootsie, Jagged Edge, Ghostbusters & Ghostbusters II, Lost in Yonkers, Beethoven, Legal Eagles, Kindergarten Cop and Karate Kid II.

During his term at Sony Pictures Studios, McCarthy has been responsible for the hiring of sound crews and overseeing the creation of sound tracks on over one hundred and fifty titles including: Spider-Man 3, Spider-Man 2, Spider-Man, Holiday, Terminator 3: Rise of The Machines, Charlie’s Angels, Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, The Patriot, Big Daddy, The Mask of Zorro, Jerry Maguire, Godzilla and Stuart Little.

McCarthy is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and a past member of the Executive Sound Branch Board. He is also a member of the M.P.S.E. (Motion Picture Sound Editors,) including a previously held position on their board.