Tony took the last name of Fields from his stepfather Max. Tony's  parents divorced when he was four. Although he was born in Stafford,  Kansas, he moved to Davis, California, where his career began in  gymnastics. He switched to dance training when he won scholarships to  the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts (studying drama and  voice), and also at Roland Dupree Academy of Dance.

He began  touring with Debbie Reynolds in her nightclub act only 3 months after  starting at Dupree. When he came to Solid Gold, he had had only 2 years  of formal training.

Tony appeared in numerous music videos,  including Michael Jackson's "Beat It" and "Thriller" and was also  featured in the "Making of Thriller" special. He also appeared in Lionel  Richie's "Running with the Night." As a Solid Gold dancer, he also  appeared on the Miss Teen USA pageant as an escort and entertainer, and  on the home exercise video "The Solid Gold 5 Day Workout." Other early  TV appearances included "Lil Abner," "Bobby Vinton Rock and Rollers,"  and "The John Davidson Christmas Special."