The Complete History of Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz's Friendship
Hop in the sidecar, we're going for a ride through the Toms' history.
When you think of the greatest dynamic duos in history — in the Bravoverse or otherwise — Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval have to come to mind... at least eventually.
I mean, really: There's no other pair quite like these two. From their humble roots as models living in a Craigslist apartment to business owners with a scandal or two under their belts, the Toms have been through it all. They also have one of the best catchphrases of all time: Tom (pronounced like "ohm," it doubles as a best friend meditation).
"I can't believe Tom and Tom don't want to have a baby together," noted Lisa Vanderpump during Season 9, Episode 4 of Vanderpump Rules. "Have they ever suggested it?"
"If it was possible, they probably would," answered Katie Maloney, Tom Schwartz's then-wife.
During Season 9, Episode 2, Sandoval gave an impassioned speech about working with his BFF.
"Two people meeting on Craigslist. Getting together. Having a loving, strong relationship where we inspire each other and make each other better. Doing the motorcycle sidecar. The matching suits. Lisa being inspired by that, and having us become a partner in her bar," he said. "This is what inspires me, Schwartz. The things that we have done together."
Read on for a history of the Toms' friendship, as well as a look at where they stand now.
How did Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval meet?
Interestingly enough, the Toms started off as roommates long before Vanderpump Rules, finding each other through Craigslist.
"I had the CRAZIEST dream last night," Schwartz joked in a 2018 Instagram caption recounting their meet-cute. (It wasn't a dream.) "Somehow I had moved to L.A. and moved in with this dude I met on Craigslist, Tom Sandoval. He shaved his forehead & taught me how to dress. Preener with a heart of gold."
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"He asked me if his old pal from Miami could move in with us and I said sure as long as he's not too much of a presence," Tom Schwartz added. "Cut to this big loud tan & gorgeous ahole barging in and telling me his name was Jax Taylor."
Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval got tattoos together in Vegas
During Season 4, Episode 9, the Toms decided to get inked in Vegas together, with their new tattoos paying homage to their then-partners Katie and Ariana Madix.
"Katie was cool for letting me go on the Vegas trip ... in return, I felt like I had to do something to show my commitment to her," Schwartz shared in a confessional on the episode revealing why he opted to get "Bubba," their favorite pet name, on his right butt cheek. "What can I do that will last a little longer than flowers?"
Sandoval, for his part, got a tattoo of Ariana's initial in flames — his first tattoo, mind you — that ended up looking more like bacon.
Tom Sandoval was in Tom Schwartz's wedding
When Tom Schwartz and Katie had their first wedding in 2016 (which was part of Season 5, Episode 21), Tom Sandoval stood by his best friend's side as his best man — and even played the trumpet for the newlywed couple later in the night.
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During the ceremony, the Tom Sandoval & The Most Extras frontman couldn't help but break down in tears, choosing to wipe his eyes on the couple's dog.
What businesses do Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval own together?
While their cocktail menu update pitch to Lisa didn't go over super well in Season 4, the men did end up having a successful business partnership. Together, they co-own two restaurants: TomTom and Schwartz & Sandy's.
TomTom, was introduced to the world in spring 2018 with a major party. To this day, the bar features a photo of the men kissing at its entrance.
During Season 9 of VPR, the Toms introduced their plan to open a second spot: Schwartz & Sandy's. While they originally fought over the name, Schwartz eventually conceded, telling his buddy in Episode 4 that it was up to him.
"You can name the bar. I don't hate it anymore," Schwartz said. "It's not that dumb."
After settling on the moniker, the men cheers'd their cans of Coors Light. "To me and you," they said. "I love you brother."
Tom Sandoval's motorcycle (and Tom Schwartz's sidecar)
The two buddies made quite a splash when, to celebrate the opening of TomTom, they wore matching white suits and appeared in a white motorcycle with a sidecar.
"I wouldn't say I'm a motorcycle guy, but I would say I'm a motorcycle sidecar guy," Sandoval told Andy Cohen during the Season 7 reunion.
While Andy once got a chance to ride in the seat of honor, it's most often reserved for Schwartz.
Tom Schwartz defended Tom Sandoval amid Season 10 drama
After Sandoval's affair with Rachel Leviss came to light in 2023, Schwartz called on fans to cut his friend some slack while initially maintaining that he didn't know anything about the infidelity before it had come to light. (He admitted during the Season 10 reunion to having had at least some more insight into his best friend's indiscretion before the world found out.)
"Tom, I know the whole world hates you. But I’m not going to abandon you, old buddy. I’m not going to abandon you,” he said during an episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. “He knows he’s a monster for what he did. If you see him, maybe give him a hug. Even if he doesn’t deserve it, give him a hug. He’s down bad.”
Still, while filming Season 3, Episode 5 of Winter House — which was filmed after the affair become public knowledge bu released in November 2023 — Schwartz opened up about needing a break from his friend and business partner.
"I have to go back and just check on the bar we just opened. Maybe check in with my buddy Tom," he told Katie Flood, explaining why he had to leave the cast's Colorado house early. "I texted him but I haven't talked to him. I'm taking a break; We're taking a break. I need a break from Tom." (He also had to film the Vanderpump Rules Season 10 reunion.
Are Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval still friends?
During BravoCon 2023, Michael Rapaport posed this very question.“What's your relationship with you and your homeboy, your ride-or-die, Tom Schwartz, today? How are you guys — are you cool?” he asked during the "VPR & Vegas" panel.
The outlook, according to Sandoval, is good.
“We’re doing really well. Considering, I mean, I definitely put him through a lot," he shared. "You know, [he] got a lot of residual hate just from me, you know what I mean?”
Passionate about the topic at hand, he continued:
"Obviously, we went through tough times because of me, and he dealt with a lot of residual negativity, and I really appreciate [him] sticking by," shared Sandoval in a conversation with Lisa. “And then everything I did, and, you know, I feel like we're stronger than ever. We've always had a resilient friendship and a loving, caring friendship and yeah, we're in a good place.”
RELATED: The Best Things Tom Schwartz & Tom Sandoval Have Said About Their Friendship
