Sean Hayes

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Hayes is widely known as the sarcastic and hilarious Jack McFarland on NBC's iconic sitcom "Will & Grace," which ran for eight years (1998-2006) and won an Emmy Award as best comedy in 2000.
Hayes was raised in the Chicago suburb of Glen Ellyn, Illinois. A talented musician, he supported himself as a classical pianist and performed in a pop band while attending Illinois State University, where he majored in performance and conducting. After his college experience, Hayes began working in the Chicago stage community, serving as the music director at the Pheasant Run Theater for a few years where he appeared in several of their productions.

After moving to Los Angeles, Hayes had gigs as a stand-up comic, performing at the Comedy Club, and starred in the television movie "A&P," based on the short story by John Updike. In 1998, Hayes received his big break and landed the role of Jack on "Will & Grace," for which he won an Emmy Award (and was nominated six times), four Screen Actors Guild Awards, two TV Guide Awards, an American Comedy Award and seven Golden Globe nominations.

Hayes' other notable television projects include well-received guest roles on "Scrubs" and "30 Rock," as well as "Martin & Lewis," a television film that earned him a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for his role as Jerry Lewis. Hayes appeared on multiple episodes of the NBC sitcom "Up All Night," in which he played a former colleague of Ava's (Maya Rudolph). He also made guest appearances on "Parks and Recreation," "Portlandia" and "Hot in Cleveland." In addition, he had an arc on "Smash" as a TV and film star making his Broadway debut.

Hayes made his Broadway debut in 2010 in the wildly successful "Promises, Promises," alongside Kristin Chenoweth. Based on Billy Wilder's Academy Award-winning film "The Apartment," starring Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine, the play starred Hayes as Chuck Baxter, a young insurance employee who lends his apartment to his executives for their illicit affairs as a means for advancement within the company. In 2016, Hayes returned to Broadway as the title role in "An Act of God," for which he received glowing reviews.

Previously, Hayes was seen on stage in the New York City Center production of "Damn Yankees," with Jane Krakowski and Cheyenne Jackson. In addition to receiving a Tony Award nomination for his role in "Promises, Promises," he also hosted the Tonys in 2011 to strong reviews.
Hayes starred as Larry Fine in the movie "The Three Stooges," directed by Peter and Bobby Farrelly, and was a voice actor in the box-office hit "Monsters University." Hayes' additional film credits include "The Bucket List," opposite Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, "Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss," "Pieces of April," the voice of Mr. Fish in "The Cat in the Hat," "Win a Date with Tad Hamilton," "Igor," "Soul Men" and the voice of Mr. Tinkles in the box-office hit "Cats and Dogs."

In 2003, Hayes and producing partner Todd Milliner formed Hazy Mills Productions. Their first project, "Situation: Comedy," a documentary television show in search of the next great sitcom, premiered on Bravo in the summer of 2005 and garnered wide critical praise. For six seasons, Hazy Mills produced TV Land's hit comedy "Hot in Cleveland," starring Betty White, Wendie Malick, Jane Leeves and Valerie Bertinelli. Hazy Mills currently produces NBC's long-running drama "Grimm," a dark yet fantastical cop drama that takes place in a world where Grimm's Fairy Tale-inspired characters exist, as well as the network's successful reality series "Hollywood Game Night."

In 2017, Hayes played the role of Steven, the devil emoji in The Emoji Movie. He and his husband wrote a book named Plum, which is about how the sugar plum fairy got her wings. Hayes has always had an interest for the Nutcracker and memorized the whole musical piece.
Hayes has also guest-starred as Buddy Wood on the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation.

Sean Hayes Photos

Sean Hayes STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2023
Oscar Levant

[Regional (US)]
Goodman Theatre's Premiere Production, 2021
Oscar Levant

[Motion Picture]
NBC Live Televised Production, 2016
Mr. Pinky

[Broadway]
Broadway Return Engagement, 2016
God

[US Tour]
West Coast Tour, 2015
God

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2010
Chuck Baxter

[Off-Broadway]
Encores! Summer Stars Revival, 2008
Applegate


Sean Hayes Videos

Sean Hayes News


TRW Plays Acquires GOOD NIGHT, OSCAR and DOWNSTATE

TRW Plays, a division of Theatrical Rights Worldwide, has acquired the global licensing rights for two new plays by Pulitzer Prize-winning authors, GOOD NIGHT, OSCAR by Doug Wright and DOWNSTATE by Bruce Norris. Learn more about both plays here!

Transport Group 2024 Gala Will Honor Jennifer Costello and Jan Svendsen Weiss This April

Transport Group has announced that its 2024 gala will honor Broadway producer Jennifer Costello and Activate4Good founder Jan Svendsen Weiss with its Transporting American Theatre Award on Tuesday, April 30, at The Edison Ballroom, 240 West 47 Street.

Jamie Muscato to Join Eric McCormack, Rachel Tucker, and More In WILD ABOUT YOU Concert

Jamie Muscato will be joining Eric McCormack, Rachel Tucker, Oliver Tompsett, and Tori Allen-Martin in the new musical in concert Wild About You, which is making its World Premiere at Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

Video: THE GOLDEN GIRLS Writer Stan Zimmerman Discusses His Career With Harvey Brownstone

Harvey Brownstone Interviews 'The Golden Girls' Writer Stan Zimmerman in an in-depth conversation about his successful career in comedy writing for television, film, and theater.

Meet the Cast of AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE, Beginning Previews on Broadway Tonight!

The new Broadway production of Henrik Ibsen’s thunderous masterwork, AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE, adapted by Tony Award Nominee Amy Herzog and directed by Tony Award Winner Sam Gold, begins previews tonight, Tuesday, February 27, 2024. Meet the cast of An Enemy of the People here!

Rachel Tucker And Tori Allen-Martin To Join Eric McCormack And Oliver Tompsett in WILD ABOUT YOU

Join Rachel Tucker and Tori Allen-Martin as they join the cast of Wild About You! Get all the details on this exciting cast announcement featuring Eric McCormack and Oliver Tompsett.

Oliver Tompsett Will Join Eric McCormack in the Premiere of WILD ABOUT YOU at Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Oliver Tompsett will be joining Eric McCormack in the new musical in concert Wild About You, which is making its Worldwide Premiere at Theatre Royal Drury Lane this spring with a stellar cast.

AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE, Starring Michael Imperioli, Jeremy Strong & Victoria Pedretti Sets Full Cast

The full cast has been revealed for An Enemy of the People on Broadway! Find out who is joining Jeremy Strong, Michael Imperioli, and Victoria Pedretti in the cast!

Selena Gomez Says Her New Album Will Be Her Last

Selena Gomez is hinting that she is quitting music after her new album. While appearing on the Smartless podcast, Gomez teased that she would move away from music to focus on acting and philanthropy after the upcoming album. Selena Gomez can be seen alongside Martin Short and Steve Martin in Hulu's hit comedy series 'Only Murders in the Building'.

Photos: Broadway Dreams Foundation Honors Bob Greenblatt At 16th Annual Gala

On Saturday, December 9, 2023, the Broadway Dreams Foundation ('Broadway Dreams') honored prolific producer of television, film, and Broadway, Robert Greenblatt at their 16th Annual Gala held at The Plaza Hotel in New York City.  See photos from the evening below.

Video: Watch Eric McCormack on THE JENNIFER HUDSON SHOW

Eric McCormack tells Jennifer how fun it is to see Sean Hayes’ reaction to watching “Will & Grace” for the first time as he rewatches the hit sitcom for their podcast. Eric recalls working with a “nervous” Barry Manilow when he appeared as a guest and talks about the moment he realized he’d written a song with the music legend. Watch the video!

Paige Davis & More to Join Robert Bannon for Christmas Show at Chelsea Table + Stage

Robert Bannon, the renowned performer, is set to captivate audiences with his Old School Holiday Special, 'A Robert Bannon Christmas Special', on December 9th at 7pm.

Kate Fitzpatrick Joins the Cast of the Australian Tour of GASLIGHT

One of Australia's most accomplished actors and writers, Kate Fitzpatrick, will join the cast of the highly-anticipated play, Gaslight, which will tour across Australia from February 2024. 

Meet the Cast of MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT, Beginning Previews Tonight!

The search for the grail continues, on Broadway this fall! Direct from a sold out run at the Kennedy Center, the Tony Award-winning Best Musical comedy Monty Python’s SPAMALOT returns to Broadway tonight! Meet the cast of SPAMALOT here!

Cleveland Play House Reimagines Iconic Horror Story, MARY SHELLEY'S FRANKENSTEIN

Mary Shelley's shocking classic novel, Frankenstein, receives new life at Cleveland Play House. A haunting and highly theatrical adaptation of the classic horror story. Directed by Michael Barakiva, the production features Josh Bates, Madeline Calais, Ellen Grace Diehl, Gavin Michaels, and Kayodè Soyemi.

GASLIGHT Will Tour Australia in 2024

Set to be one of the most talked about performances of 2024, Gaslight, a modern adaptation of the 1940’s suspenseful thriller by Patrick Hamilton and starring Geraldine Hakewill and Toby Schmitz, is set to tour Australia from February 2024.

Peter Grosz from GOODNIGHT, OSCAR Joins Hyprov Tonight!

Joining HYPROV tonight! Peter Grosz, known for his work in 'The Two Guys' Sonic commercials, will be part of the star-studded lineup of improv comedians. Don't miss this hilarious blend of hypnosis and improvisation!

Jackie Osorio, Noah F. Madril And Emily Trujillo Join Long Running Latinx THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK For Limited LA Engagement

Actors Jackie Osorio, Noah F. Madril and Emily Trujillo join the critically acclaimed 2018 LA production of The Diary of Anne Frank in the roles of Mr. & Mrs. Van Daan and Margot Frank. The revival, which garnered international attention with its predominately LatinX cast, will run for four performances September 17 at A Place Called Home and September 19-21 at the Colony Theatre.

2 Broadway Shows Play Final Performances Today

Broadway says goodbye to two limited run productions. Good Night, Oscar takes its final bow at the Belasco following 16 previews and 126 regular performances; and El Mago Pop will conclude its run at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre following 5 previews and 13 regular performances.

Broadway Buying Guide: August 21, 2023

Looking for the best deals on Broadway shows? Welcome to our new weekly guide to the most popular shows listed on BroadwayWorld. Check out which shows are selling this week, August 21, 2023.

Sean Hayes FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Sean Hayes has appeared on Broadway in 3 shows.

Sean Hayes has not appeared in the West End.

Sean Hayes has been nominated for several awards, including Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play at the Drama Desk Awards for "Good Night, Oscar," the Distinguished Performance Award at the Drama League Awards for the same play, Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Good Night, Oscar," and Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Play at the Tony Awards for "Goodnight, Oscar." Additionally, he was nominated for Outstanding Actor in a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Promises, Promises" and Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for the same show.

Sean Hayes's next show will be Good Night, Oscar which opens on 4/24/2023 on Broadway.

Sean Hayes has won the following awards for his role in "Good Night, Oscar": Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play (Drama Desk Awards), Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards), and Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards).

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