Tom Collins is a character in Rent, written by Jonathan Larson. Collins is a computer-genius, a philosopher, a teacher, an anarchist, a rebel and the lover of Angel Dumott-Shunard. He is HIV+. He works as a professor of computer age philosophy at New York University (NYU). His trademark piece of clothing is a knit cap that is white throughout the first act of Rent and black through the second act (this is reflective of the show's themes: the first act is about celebration, while the second act is clearly a showcase about mourning). Rent is an American Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical, with music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson. ... Jonathan Larson (February 4, 1960 – January 25, 1996) was an American composer who lived in New York City and authored musicals, including Rent and Tick, Tick. ... Anarchism is a generic term describing various political philosophies and social movements that advocate the elimination of hierarchy and imposed authority. ... Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a condition in humans in which the immune system begins to fail, leading to life-threatening opportunistic infections. ... Computer Age Philosophy is that of which Tom Collins is a professor in the musical/film RENT. ... New York University (NYU) is a major research university in New York City. ... Rent is an American Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical, with music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson. ...

The role of Collins was originated by Jesse L. Martin. Jesse Lamont Martin (born Jesse Lamont Watkins, January 18, 1969) is an American theatre, film, and television actor, best known for his roles as Tom Collins in Rent and as Detective Ed Green in the NBC series Law & Order. ...