Born Name:  Sean Patrick Hayes

Born Date:  June 26, 1970

Born Place:  Evergreen Park, Illinois

Died Date: 

Died Place: 

Occupations:  Actor, comedian, producer

Brief Biography:  Sean Patrick Hayes is best known for his Emmy-winning role as Jack McFarland on NBC's Will & Grace. Born in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, he has extensive experience in theater and television, co-founded Hazy Mills Productions, and co-hosts the popular SmartLess podcast.

Early Life and Career:
Background: Raised in a Chicago suburb, Hayes was raised by his mother, Mary, after his father left the family during his childhood.
Music and Theater: He attended Illinois State University and worked as a classical pianist and musical director before focusing on acting.
Second City: He is an alumnus of Chicago’s famed Second City improvisational comedy group.

Rise to Fame: Will & Grace:
Jack McFarland: In 1998, he was cast in his breakout role as the energetic Jack McFarland on Will & Grace.
Awards: He won a Primetime Emmy Award, four Screen Actors Guild Awards, and received six Golden Globe nominations for his performance.

Production and Other Projects:
Hazy Mills Productions: Along with Todd Milliner, he runs a production company responsible for TV shows like Grimm, Hot in Cleveland, and Hollywood Game Night.
Film: He played Jerry Lewis in Martin and Lewis (2002) and appeared in films such as Cats & Dogs, The Cat in the Hat, and The Bucket List.
Podcast: Since July 2020, he has co-hosted the widely popular comedy podcast SmartLess with Jason Bateman and Will Arnett.

Theater and Recent Work:
Broadway: He has achieved success on Broadway, including a Tony nomination for Promises, Promises (2010) and winning the 2022 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for Good Night, Oscar.
Recent Projects: He starred in the off-Broadway play The Unknown in early 2026.