Sean Hayes

Photo of Sean Hayes

Biography

After gaining notice for a series of Dorito's commercials and the gay indie "Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss" (1998), Sean Hayes earned a place in comedy history for his role on network TV's first gay-character-helmed sitcom, "Will & Grace" (NBC, 1998-2006). For eight highly-rated seasons, his role of Jack - the flamboyant sidekick of a straitlaced gay lawyer (Eric McCormack) - was not only a favorite of viewers but was a significant catalyst …
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Job Title

Actor, Producer

Born

Sean Patrick Hayes on June 26, 1970 in Chicago, Illinois, USA

Career Milestones

2012

Guest starred on NBC sitcom "Up All Night"

2012

Co-starred as Larry in the big screen remake of "The Three Stooges," directed by the Farrelly brothers

2010

TV series executive producing debut, "Hot in Cleveland" (Nick at Nite)

2010

Voiced character of Mr. Tinkles the Persian cat in "Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore," the sequel to 2001 family film "Cats & Dogs"

2010

Hosted The 64th Annual Tony Awards

2010

Made Broadway debut alongside Kristin Chenoweth in revival of "Promises, Promises"; earned Tony Award nomination for Leading Actor in a Musical

2008

Cast in the Encores! production of "Damn Yankee" directed by John Rando at City Center

2007

Featured in a major role in Rob Reiner's film "The Bucket List," starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman

2005

Executive produced (with Todd Milliner) the unscripted Bravo series "Situation: Comedy"

2004

Played Josh Duhamel's manager in "Win a Date with Tad Hamilton"

2003

Voiced the fish in the film adaptation of the beloved literary classic "Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat"

2002

Portrayed Jerry Lewis in the television drama "Martin And Jerry" (CBS); received SAG nomination for Best Actor

2001

Voiced Mr. Tinkles, a feline out to take over the world in the feature "Cats & Dogs"

1998

Landed breakthrough role as Jack McFarland, a flamboyantly gay, frequently unemployed actor on the NBC sitcom "Will & Grace"; received Emmy (2001-06), Golden Globe (2000-05) and SAG (2001, 2004, 2005) nominations for Best Supporting Actor

1998

Professional film debut in the independent film, "Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss"

1995

Moved to Los Angeles, where he found work as a stand-up comedian and stage actor

Joined the Second City improvisational group

Served as a music director at the Pheasant Run Theater in St. Charles, IL

Composed original music for a production of "Antigone" at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago

Supported himself in college as a pianist and musician

Raised in Glen Ellyn, IL

Awards

2006

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series in Will & Grace

2006

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in Will & Grace

2005

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series in Will & Grace

2005

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series in Will & Grace

2005

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in Will & Grace

2004

Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television in Will & Grace

2004

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series in Will & Grace

2004

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series in Will & Grace

2004

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in Will & Grace

2003

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries in Martin and Lewis

2003

Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television in Will & Grace

2003

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series in Will & Grace

2003

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series in Will & Grace

2003

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in Will & Grace

2002

Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television in Will & Grace

2002

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series in Will & Grace

2002

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series in Will & Grace

2002

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in Will & Grace

2001

Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television in Will & Grace

2001

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series in Will & Grace

2001

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series in Will & Grace

2001

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in Will & Grace

2000

Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television in Will & Grace

2000

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in Will & Grace

1999

Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television in Will & Grace