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Sean Hayes Biography

Birth Name:Sean Patrick Hayes

Birth Place:Chicago, Illinois, United States

Profession Actor, Producer, Soundtrack, Writer

Fast Facts

  • Received the 2001 American Comedy Award for his work on "Will & Grace․"
  • Studied classical piano performance and conducting at Illinois State University
  • Made his screen acting debut in the TV series "Hello! Sandy Bell" in 1981
  • Worked as a musical director for the Pheasant Run Theater before becoming a famous actor
  • Quote: "I want to make people laugh first, and that's it․ If a byproduct of that is enlightening somebody to something they wouldn't otherwise have been exposed to, then great, but that's certainly not [my] agenda․"
  • Quote: "When I came out of my mom's womb, I had 'sitcom' stamped on my forehead․"
  • Quote: "[on the criticism he received for not coming out while on "Will & Grace"] "I was so young ․․․ I didn't know how to handle the responsibility of speaking for the gay community․ I always felt like I owed them a huge apology for coming out too late․""
  • Quote: "Being an actor, the less people know about my personal life, the more open-minded they can be about each role I play․"
  • Known for his role as Jack McFarland in "Will & Grace" and as Thomas in "The Bucket List․"
  • Saved the victim of a robbery when he noticed the wounded man lying in the street near his home
  • Appeared alongside model Ali Landry in a 1998 ad for Doritos during Super Bowl XXXII

Awards

  • 1999American Comedy Award-Funniest Supporting Male Performer in a TV Series: nominated
  • 1999OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a New Comedy Series: winner
  • 1999OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1999Teen Choice Award-TV - Choice Sidekick: winner
  • 1999TCA Award-Individual Achievement in Comedy: nominated
  • 1999Q Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Quality Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2000American Comedy Award-Funniest Supporting Male Performer in a TV Series: nominated
  • 2000Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2000Blimp Award-Favorite Television Friends: nominated
  • 2000OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2000Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2000Teen Choice Award-TV - Choice Sidekick: winner
  • 2000TCA Award-Individual Achievement in Comedy: nominated
  • 2000Q Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Quality Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2001Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2001Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2001American Comedy Award-Funniest Supporting Male Performer in a TV Series: winner
  • 2001Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2001OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2001Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2001Golden Satellite Award-Best Performance by an Actor in a Series, Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2001TV Guide Award-Supporting Actor of the Year in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2001Teen Choice Award-TV - Choice Sidekick: winner
  • 2002Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2002Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2002Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2002OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2002Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2002Teen Choice Award-TV - Choice Actor, Comedy: nominated
  • 2003Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: nominated
  • 2003Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2003Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2003Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2003Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2003Golden Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2003Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Hissy Fit: nominated
  • 2004Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2004Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2004Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2004Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2004Golden Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2004Teen Choice Award-Choice TV Sidekick: winner
  • 2005Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2005Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2005Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2005Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2005Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2005Teen Choice Award-Choice TV Sidekick: nominated
  • 2006Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2006Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2006Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2006TV Guide Award-Editor's Choice: winner
  • 2010Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Supporting Actor of the Decade: nominated
  • 2014BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film: nominated
  • 2018Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2018Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2018Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2018OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2019Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2020OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2024Astra TV Award-Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated