Sean Hayes (actor)

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For other persons named Sean Hayes, see Sean Hayes (disambiguation).
Sean Hayes
Birth name Sean Patrick Hayes
Born 26 June 1970
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Emmy
 Awards
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
2000 Will & Grace

Sean Patrick Hayes (born on June 26, 1970) is an Emmy award-winning American actor and comedian, best known for his role as Jack McFarland in the NBC sitcom Will & Grace.

Contents

[edit] Background

Hayes was born in Chicago, Illinois. He attended high school in Glen Ellyn, Illinois at Glenbard West High School. He studied piano, performance and conducting at Illinois State University but left before graduating. He worked as a classical pianist and served as a music director at the Pheasant Run Theaterin St. Charles, Ill. He also composed original music for a production of Antigone at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago. He participated in The Second City improvisational comedy troupe.

Hayes moved to Los Angeles in 1995, where he found work as a stand-up comedian, stage actor and as an actor in television commercials, including a 1998 Doritos ad featuring model Ali Landry.

[edit] Filmography

As a teenager, he was an extra in Winona Ryder's first movie, Lucas (1986), which was filmed at his high school, Glenbard West. His professional film debut was in the independent film Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss (1998), which brought him wide attention and caught the attention of executives who cast him in the NBC comedy television series Will & Grace, as frequently unemployed gay aspiring actor Jack McFarland. The show became a hit, and Hayes' performance as Jack McFarland has earned him seven consecutive Emmy Award nominations. Hayes won the Emmy for his first nomination as Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 2000.

His success has led him to film appearances in Cats & Dogs (2001), as Jerry Lewis in Martin and Lewis (2002), Pieces of April (2003), The Cat in the Hat (2003) and Win a Date With Tad Hamilton! (2004). He has also guest starred in television programmes, including Scrubs.

In 2005, Hayes executive produced Situation: Comedy for Bravo, a reality show like Project Greenlight for sitcoms. He also executive produced the two winning scripts, chosen by NBC: The Sperm Donor and Stephen's Life.

In 2006, he guest-starred in the Adult Swim cameo-filled show Tom Goes to the Mayor.

[edit] Emmy Award nominations and wins

  • 2000 - Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series - Will & Grace (Won)
  • 2001 - Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series - Will & Grace (Nominated)
  • 2002 - Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series - Will & Grace (Nominated)
  • 2003 - Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series - Will & Grace (Nominated)
  • 2004 - Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series - Will & Grace (Nominated)
  • 2005 - Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series - Will & Grace (Nominated)
  • 2006 - Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series - Will & Grace (Nominated)

[edit] Quotes

   
“
When you see me play Jack, I want you to believe that that's a gay character. After Will & Grace is over, when I play a straight character, I want you to believe that, too.
   
”

- Etcetera interview

[edit] References

Sean Hayes. Biography Resource Center Online. Gale Group. 1999.

[edit] External links