Skip over navigation

Sean Hayes

Sean Hayes
Sean Patrick Hayes (born June 26, 1970) is a six- time Golden Globe-nominated and Emmy award-winning American actor and comedian. He is best known for his role as Jack McFarland in the sitcom Will & Grace.

As a teenager, he was an extra in Winona Ryder's first movie, Lucas (1986), which was filmed at his high school, Glenbard West. He made his professional film debut 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 Jack McFarland, a flamboyantly gay, frequently unemployed actor. The show became a long-running hit and Hayes’ performance as Jack earned him seven consecutive Emmy Award nominations (2000–06) as Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. He won the Emmy for his first nomination.[1]

Hayes’ success led to film appearances in Cats & Dogs (2001), as Jerry Lewis in the made-for-TV movie 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 several television programs, including Scrubs and 30 Rock.

In 2005, he was executive producer for Situation: Comedy for Bravo, a reality show like Project Greenlight but for sitcoms. He also executive produced the two winning scripts, chosen by NBC: The Sperm Donor and Stephen's Life. He guest-starred in 2006 in the Adult Swim cameo-filled show Tom Goes to the Mayor. The actor currently is busy with his own production company, Hazy Mills, with Todd Milliner,[4] his producing partner from college.

In 2007, Hayes was featured in a major role as Thomas in Rob Reiner's film The Bucket List, starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman.

On July 5, 2008, Hayes made his New York stage debut as Mr. Applegate / Devil in New York City Center's Encores! production of Damn Yankees opposite Jane Krakowski and Cheyenne Jackson.

In a 2008 New York Times interview, Hayes revealed he is working on a television project called BiCoastal about "a guy with a wife and kids in California and a boyfriend in New York."[5]

Hayes has played gay and straight characters during his time as an actor, and will be playing a bisexual character in the upcoming BiCoastal, but he has refused to discuss his sexual orientation in public. He has stated, “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.”




What members say | Filmography

Sean Hayes - what members say


  • The Cat In The Hat
  • The Cat In The Hat review by from Oxford
    Rated - 4 stars You can make cup-cakes out of anything...anything? Anything! 27 October 2004
    ... teeth until the mother was out of the room when he became the epitome of evil. Sean Hayes (Jack from Will n Grace) was funny as the egocentrical hygiene freak of a boss ...  
  • Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss
  • Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss review by richard from bangor co down
    Rated - 1 stars OH DEAR SEAN!!!!!! 28 July 2007
    ...Sean Hayes what have you done,??? after the brilliant Will & Grace, which you were handsomely paid for, i can't believe you picked this load of old tit to appear in - it ...  

Sean Hayes - filmography


  • The Bucket List on DVD (2007)
    Starring: Jack Nicholson,  Morgan Freeman,  Sean Hayes
    Director: Rob Reiner
    Certificate: Certificate: 12
    Edward Cole (Nicholson) is a corporate billionaire who is currently sharing a hospital room with blue-collar mechanic Carter Chambers (Freeman). Though initially the pair seems to have nothing in common, conversation gradually reveals that both men have a long list of goals they wish to accomplish ..read more »
    Rate this: 3.5 stars out of 5 74% from 56,817 members
    Sign up
  • The Cat In The Hat on DVD (2004)
    Starring: Mike Myers,  Alec Baldwin,  Kelly Preston
    Director: Bo Welch
    Certificate: Certificate: PG
    In this bright and happy film, set in a colourful make-believe world, Mike Myers (Austin Powers) plays the wily talking cat with plans to brighten up an otherwise very dull day for two lucky children. Sister and brother, Sally and Conrad, are forced to pass a rainy afternoon with their crotchety ..read more »
    Rate this: 2.5 stars out of 5 53% from 13,127 members
    Sign up
  • Soul Men
    Starring: Samuel L. Jackson,  Bernie Mac,  Jennifer Coolidge
    Director: Malcolm D. Lee
    Certificate: Certificate: TBC
    Though it's been some twenty years since they have spoken with one another, two estranged soul-singing legends (Jackson and Mac) agree to participate in a reunion performance at the Apollo Theater to honor their recently deceased band leader.
    Rate this: 4 stars out of 5 77% from 13 members
    Sign up

Sean Hayes facts

5 most recent films

Bucket List, The - BLU-RAY Version - 4.0 stars
The Bucket List - 3.5 stars
The Cat In The Hat - 2.5 stars
Pieces Of April - 3.0 stars
Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss - 3.0 stars

5 highest-rated films

Will And Grace - Season 5 - Episodes 1-4 - 4.0 stars
Will And Grace - Season 5 - Episodes 13-16 - 4.0 stars
Will And Grace - Season 5 - Episodes 9-12 - 4.0 stars
Will And Grace - Season 5 - Episodes 17-20 - 4.0 stars
Will And Grace - Season 5 - Episodes 5-8 - 4.0 stars

5 lowest-rated films

Soul Men - 4.0 stars
The Cat In The Hat - 2.5 stars
Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss - 3.0 stars
Pieces Of April - 3.0 stars
Will And Grace - Season 6 Complete - 3.5 stars

Most frequent co-stars

Eric McCormack - 9 times - show films
Debra Messing - 9 times - show films
Megan Mullally - 7 times - show films
Morgan Freeman - 2 times - show films
Jack Nicholson - 2 times - show films

Most frequent directors

James Burrows - 8 times - show films
Rob Reiner - 2 times - show films
Peter Hedges - 1 times - show films
Bo Welch - 1 times - show films
Tommy O'Haver - 1 times - show films