NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – History is repeating itself.  Roots, the TV miniseries from the 70s is back on TV.

It’s a four-night extravaganza simulcast on History Channel, A&E and Lifetime.

WGNO News with a Twist features guy Wild Bill Wood found a New Orleans man has found his way from the halls of the school where he works  to Hollywood.

Wild Bill has the story of the man who’s been acting for ten years.

At McDonogh City Park Academy, the kids call him “Coach T”.  The “T” is for Thomas. He’s Thomas Hyde.

Thomas Angelo Hyde.  And he also goes by his initials. TAH.

They call him coach because he’s like a life coach for the students.  Thomas recently wrapped things up at the school where the kids have gone home for the summer.

He also just wrapped things up on the Louisiana set of Roots.  Roots was filmed partly in Louisiana.  That’s where Thomas was in in front of the camera as Aaron.

in Roots, Aaron is a slave on a tobacco farm in Virginia.  Aaron’s big moment comes when he confronts Kunta Kinte, the main character in Roots.

Thomas is no stranger to show business.  He’s been acting for a decade.

You’ll see him here working with Nicholas Cage and Burt Reynolds.

You’ll see how Burt Reynolds became not just a co-star, but also a bit of a director.