---
name: "Sean Hayes"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/sean-hayes"
fi1m_id: "sean-hayes"
imdb_id: "nm0005003"
tmdb_id: 52601
wikidata_id: "Q223033"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "26 June 1970"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 6
average_fi1m_score: 57
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 5
updated: "2026-10-13T21:40:42.541826+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Sean Hayes

## Identity

Sean Hayes

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/sean-hayes
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** sean-hayes
- **IMDb ID:** nm0005003
- **TMDB ID:** 52601
- **Wikidata ID:** Q223033
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean_Hayes, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q223033, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005003/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/52601

Actor. Born 26 June 1970 in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 26 June 1970, Glen Ellyn, Illinois, USA
- **Active:** 2003–present
- **Also known as:** Sean P. Hayes, Sean Patrick Hayes, شان هيس
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 6: 5 acting, 1 producing
- **Primetime Emmy Awards:** 1 Emmy (1 won)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 57, as actor, over 5 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 2010s 54 (3), 2020s 62 (3)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 57 to 52 across 5 titles
- **Score spread:** 0 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 2 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 4 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 4, Animation 2, Family 2, Action 1, Drama 1, Fantasy 1
- **Screen time:** 7 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,040m across 4 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean_Hayes, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q223033, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005003/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/52601

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*Monsters University*](https://film.one/film/monsters-university.md) (72), [*Is This Thing On?*](https://film.one/film/is-this-thing-on.md) (71)
- **Peacock:** [*Grimm*](https://film.one/tv/grimm.md) (63)
- **Apple TV:** [*The Running Man*](https://film.one/film/the-running-man.md) (60)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The Emoji Movie*](https://film.one/film/the-emoji-movie.md) (27)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Sean Hayes

> Sean Hayes is a precise physical comedian, with Jack McFarland the clearest reason to value him. His film work is less persuasive when a supporting part amounts to an instruction to make more noise.

The flamboyance is easy to notice in Sean Hayes's Jack McFarland; the physical timing deserves as much attention. In *Will & Grace* (1998–2006, revived 2017–2020), quick wit and physical comedy give him more to do than simply announce his presence. Debra Messing, Eric McCormack and Megan Mullally provide the regular company. We rate Hayes when he has a character to develop, and become less interested when being conspicuous is most of what a part requires.

His film debut, *Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss* (1998), came before the pattern of supporting parts and animation settled in. Mr Tinkles in *Cats & Dogs* (2001) made use of his voice, while Larry in *The Three Stooges* (2012) was one of three leads. His dramatic stage work in 2023 took him beyond that familiar comic casting. It is worth keeping that work in mind when a film treats him as a ready supply of commotion.

Bradley Cooper's *Is This Thing On?* (2025) gives us some of that problem. Hayes plays Stephen, with him and Amy Sedaris supplying noise around the central marriage. We were frustrated by the extra noise because Arnett and Dern already make the marriage worth our attention. Cooper and Arnett also have the ease of old friends, which makes the smaller comic contributions feel less necessary. It is a good film, worth seeing for its central pair, but not one that gives Hayes much to work with.

His voice work cannot solve the larger problems of the 2017 emoji film, either. As Steven, he is part of a film whose thin characters and persistent advertising leave little for an actor to rescue. Edgar Wright's *The Running Man* (2025), in which Hayes plays Gary Greenbacks, is well cast and enjoyable for an hour before repetition takes over. Those shortcomings are not all his, and we would not use either film as the measure of his comic ability. For a reason to spend an evening with Hayes, we would still start with *Will & Grace*.

## Biography

Sean Hayes is an American actor and comedian. Born on 26 June 1970 in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, he trained at Illinois State University and began his career in Chicago theatre and stand-up before moving into television and film.

He is best known for playing Jack McFarland in the NBC sitcom *Will & Grace* (1998–2020), a role that earned him a Primetime Emmy Award and four Screen Actors Guild Awards. Hayes has appeared in films such as *The Bucket List* (2007), *The Three Stooges* (2012) and *Monsters University* (2013). On stage, he won the Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Play for portraying Oscar Levant in *Good Night, Oscar* (2022).

In 2025 he played Stephen in *Is This Thing On?* and Gary Greenbacks in *The Running Man*. He co-hosts the podcast *SmartLess* with Jason Bateman and Will Arnett.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, deadline.com, themoviedb.org.*

## On Fi1m (6)

### Performed in (5) — the average rests on these

- *Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America* (2026), Fi1m 55, as Wilbur Wright — [page](https://film.one/tv/life-larry-and-the-pursuit-of-unhappiness-an-almost-history-of-america.md)
- *Is This Thing On?* (2025), Fi1m 71, as Stephen — [page](https://film.one/film/is-this-thing-on.md)
- *The Running Man* (2025), Fi1m 60, as Gary Greenbacks — [page](https://film.one/film/the-running-man.md)
- *The Emoji Movie* (2017), Fi1m 27, as Steven (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-emoji-movie.md)
- *Monsters University* (2013), Fi1m 72, as Terri (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/monsters-university.md)

### Produced (1)

- *Grimm* (2011), Fi1m 63, Producer — [page](https://film.one/tv/grimm.md)

## Complete filmography (66)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America* (2026), series, as Wilbur Wright — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/tv/life-larry-and-the-pursuit-of-unhappiness-an-almost-history-of-america.md)
- *The Unknown* (2026), as Elliott
- *Is This Thing On?* (2025), as Stephen — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/is-this-thing-on.md)
- *The Running Man* (2025), as Gary Greenbacks — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/the-running-man.md)
- *Billy Joel: And So It Goes* (2025), series, Executive Producer
- *Am I OK?* (2024), as Stu
- *SmartLess: On the Road* (2023), series, Executive Producer, Creator
- *Who Killed Santa? A Murderville Murder Mystery* (2022), as Johnny Blaze
- *Too Soon: Comedy After 9/11* (2021), Executive Producer
- *Q-Force* (2021), series, as Steve Maryweather (voice) · Executive Producer
- *Lazy Susan* (2020), as Susan · Writer
- *The Morning Show* (2019), series, as Wyatt
- *Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear's "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons"* (2019), as Mr. Lorenzo
- *So Close* (2018), Executive Producer
- *Will & Grace* (2017), series, as Jack McFarland
- *The Emoji Movie* (2017), as Steven (voice) — Fi1m 27, [page](https://film.one/film/the-emoji-movie.md)
- *Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure* (2017), series, as Pete the Guard (voice)
- *Tangled: Before Ever After* (2017), as Pete the Guard (voice)
- *Hairspray Live!* (2016), as Mr. Pinky
- *Crowded* (2016), series, Executive Producer
- *How Murray Saved Christmas* (2014), as Edison Elf (voice)
- *Party Central* (2014), as Terri (voice)
- *The Millers* (2013), series, as Kip Finkle
- *Sean Saves the World* (2013), series, as Sean
- *Hollywood Game Night* (2013), series, Creator
- *Monsters University* (2013), as Terri (voice) — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/monsters-university.md)
- *Hit & Run* (2012), as Sandy Osterman
- *The Soul Man* (2012), series, Producer
- *The Three Stooges* (2012), as Larry
- *Smash* (2012), series, as Terry Falls
- *Grimm* (2011), series, Producer — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/grimm.md)
- *Up All Night* (2011), series, as Walter
- *Portlandia* (2011), series, as Sean
- *Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore* (2010), as Mr. Tinkles (voice)
- *Hot in Cleveland* (2010), series, as Chad · Executive Producer
- *Parks and Recreation* (2009), series, as Buddy Wood — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/parks-and-recreation.md)
- *Soul Men* (2008), as Danny Epstein
- *Igor* (2008), as Brain (voice)
- *The Bucket List* (2007), as Thomas
- *30 Rock* (2006), series, as Jesse Parcell — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/30-rock.md)
- *Lovespring International* (2006), series, Actor
- *Campus Ladies* (2006), series, Actor
- *Weekends at the D.L.* (2005), series, Actor
- *Roberto the Insect Architect* (2005), as Narrator (voice)
- *American Dad!* (2005), series, as Foster (voice)
- *Tom Goes to the Mayor* (2004), series, as Tour Guide (voice)
- *Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!* (2004), as Richard Levy the Shameless
- *The Cat in the Hat* (2003), as Mr. Humberfloob / Fish (voice)
- *Pieces of April* (2003), as Wayne
- *Martin and Lewis* (2002), as Jerry Lewis
- *Saturday Night Live: The Best of Will Ferrell* (2002), as Clerk (archive footage)
- *The Tracker* (2001), as Punk Nikolai
- *Scrubs* (2001), series, as Nick
- *Cats & Dogs* (2001), as Mr. Tinkles (voice)
- *Curb Your Enthusiasm* (2000), series, as Christopher Mantle — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/curb-your-enthusiasm.md)
- *Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins* (2000), as Brain Pod #13 (voice)
- *Jackie's Back!* (1999), as Sean Hayes
- *Will & Grace* (1998), series, as Jack McFarland
- *Penn & Teller's Sin City Spectacular* (1998), series, Actor
- *Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss* (1998), as Billy Collier
- *Dancing on the Moon* (1997), as Young man
- *A & P* (1996), as Sammy
- *Silk Stalkings* (1991), series, Actor
- *Eight Days a Week*, series, Producer
- *Untitled Grimm Reboot Film*, Executive Producer
- *St. Donatus*, series, Executive Producer

## Gallery

- ![Sean Hayes](https://film.one/media/person/7223/gallery-90d7f2256ce4.jpg) Sean Hayes — Sean Hayes - 브로드웨이 진출한 LG 드럼세탁기.jpg: LG전자, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/76/Sean_Hayes_%28portrait%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![At the unveiling of a portrait of Kristen Chenoweth and Sean Hayes (who were starring in the Broadway revival of Promises, Promises) for Tony's di Napoli's Broa (2010)](https://film.one/media/person/7223/gallery-a3e7efea5903.jpg) At the unveiling of a portrait of Kristen Chenoweth and Sean Hayes (who were starring in the Broadway revival of Promises, Promises) for Tony's di Napoli's Broa (2010) — Bob Johnson, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a9/Kristen_Chenoweth_%26_Sean_Hayes_01.jpg/1280px-Kristen_Chenoweth_%26_Sean_Hayes_01.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![At the unveiling of a portrait of Kristen Chenoweth and Sean Hayes (who were starring in the Broadway revival of Promises, Promises) for Tony's di Napoli's Broa (2010)](https://film.one/media/person/7223/gallery-ecf0ce31feb0.jpg) At the unveiling of a portrait of Kristen Chenoweth and Sean Hayes (who were starring in the Broadway revival of Promises, Promises) for Tony's di Napoli's Broa (2010) — Bob Johnson, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f2/Kristen_Chenoweth_%26_Sean_Hayes_02.jpg/1280px-Kristen_Chenoweth_%26_Sean_Hayes_02.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![President Joe Biden records an episode of the “Smartless” podcast with hosts Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett, Thursday, October 13, 2022, at the W Los](https://film.one/media/person/7223/gallery-14ace81809df.jpg) President Joe Biden records an episode of the “Smartless” podcast with hosts Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett, Thursday, October 13, 2022, at the W Los — The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/be/P20221013AS-1383_%2852650425897%29.jpg/1280px-P20221013AS-1383_%2852650425897%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Sean Hayes](https://film.one/media/person/7223/gallery-6119244a3836.jpg) Sean Hayes — Image via TMDB
- ![Sean Hayes](https://film.one/media/person/7223/gallery-f2b64f3a4c3e.jpg) Sean Hayes — Image via TMDB
- ![Sean Hayes](https://film.one/media/person/7223/gallery-7ed4521a79d7.jpg) Sean Hayes — Image via TMDB
- ![President Joe Biden records an episode of the “Smartless” podcast with hosts Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett, Thursday, October 13, 2022, at the W Los](https://film.one/media/person/7223/gallery-fff326dafc1e.jpg) President Joe Biden records an episode of the “Smartless” podcast with hosts Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett, Thursday, October 13, 2022, at the W Los — The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b7/P20221013AS-1408_%2852651401103%29.jpg/1280px-P20221013AS-1408_%2852651401103%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Star of Will & Grace and The Three Stooges. May 2016](https://film.one/media/person/7223/gallery-c88a47106f15.jpg) Star of Will & Grace and The Three Stooges. May 2016 — Greg2600, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e8/Sean_Hayes_%2827267604112%29.jpg/1280px-Sean_Hayes_%2827267604112%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

## Awards

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 1 won

- 2000: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (won), for *Will & Grace*

### Other awards — 1 won, 1 nominated

- GLAAD Stephen F. Kolzak Award 2019: GLAAD Stephen F. Kolzak Award (won)
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical 2010: Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical (nominated)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/sean-hayes