Sean Patrick Hayes was born on 26 June 1970, in Chicago, Illinois USA, of part-Irish descent. Sean is a comedian, actor and producer probably best known for being part of the NBC television series “Will & Grace” in which he plays the character Jack McFarland. His performance in that series has earned him multiple awards, and he’s also featured in various films and other series. His endeavors have helped raise his net worth to where it is now.
How rich is Sean Hayes? As of early-2016, sources inform us of a net worth that is at $18 million, mostly earned through a successful career as an actor. While he’s mostly known for television series, he’s also had some major roles in films, and has done voice acting work. Further, Hayes owns a production company called Hazy Mills Productions, and as he continues his career his wealth will surely increase.
Sean Hayes Net Worth $18 Million
When he was five years old, Hayes’ father left, and they haven’t spoken since. He matriculated from Glenbard West High School, and then attended Illinois State University where he studied music, specifically piano performance. He left the school just short of graduation because he was offered the chance to become the music director for the Pheasant Run Theater.
Sean started off as a pianist and then learnt improvisation while working on composing music. In 1995, he moved to Los Angeles where he would become part of stage productions, and would also discover his knack for stand-up comedy. One of his first television appearances would be a commercial for Doritos, but his first film as a professional actor was “Billy’s Hollywood Screen Kiss” which bought him into the spotlight. The same year, he was cast for the comedy series “Will & Grace”, which would become a hit and help Hayes earn seven Emmy Award nominations, including one win from his first nomination; he was also nominated multiple times for a Golden Globe. The success of “Will & Grace” gave Sean the opportunity to act in films such as “Cats & Dogs”, “The Cat in the Hat”, and “Martin and Lewis”, in which he did some voice work. He also became part of other television shows such as “30 Rock”, and “Scrubs”. He did voice work for the film “Igor” and also became the executive producer of “The Sperm Donor”.
In 2008, Sean would make his stage debut in New York with the production of “Damn Yankees”. Two years later he would be part of his first Broadway production in “Promises, Promises”, for which he earned nominations. His television production company has also been responsible for many series such as “Hot in Cleveland”, “Grimm” and “Sean Saves the World”, and Hayes is the executive producer of a few of those series.
For his personal life, it is known that Hayes married his long-time partner Scott Icenogle in 2014. For many years, he avoided talking about his sexual orientation until 2010, when he confirmed that he was gay. Sean also has an honorary PhD from Illinois State University.
American Comedy Award (1996), Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (1996), Screen Actors Guild Award (2002-2003,2006)
Nominations
Golden Globe, Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical (2010)
Movies
The Soul Man (2008), Martin and Lewis (2002), Will & Grace: Say Goodnight Gracie (2006), Hit and Run (2012), Hot in Cleveland (2011), The Bucket List (2007), “30 Rock”, “Scrubs”
TV Shows
Hollywood Game Night (2013-), Sean Saves the World (2013-2014), Grimm (2011-), Campus Ladies (2006-2007)
about $600,000 per episode for the 2005/ 2006 season.
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Quote
1
[When asked about the early pressures of playing a gay character, Jack, on "Will & Grace" starting in the late 1990s] I was so young. It made me go back in the closet [with the media] because I was so overwhelmed at 26 or 27. I didn't want the responsibility, 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. Some people in the gay community were very upset with me for not coming out on their terms. They don't stop to think about what's going on in somebody's personal life, and the struggles that they're having. It was all very scary. We got death threats. It was a really rough time for me, but I was also having the time of my life.
2
Really? You're gonna shoot the gay guy down? I never have had a problem saying who I am. I am who I am. I was never in, as they say. Never. [In The Advocate Magazine, responding to what he saw as negative prior coverage from The Advocate]
3
If you see a movie and I'm in it, and the first thing you think of is who I'm sleeping with, then you're not watching the performance; you're watching the personality.
4
When you see me play Jack, I want you to believe that that's a gay character. After Will & Grace (1998) is over, when I play a straight character, I want you to believe that, too. - Etcetera interview
5
"Being an actor, the less people know about my personal life, the more open-minded they can be about each role I play".
6
When I came out of my mom's womb, I had 'sitcom' stamped on my forehead.
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Fact
1
Received a Tony Award nomination for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical for his appearance in "Promises, Promises" in 2010.
2
He didn't realize that he was named after anybody in his family, until on Who Do you Think You Are? he discovered that he was named after his father's grandfather and great grandfather who were both named Patrick.
3
Announced that he and longtime boyfriend Scotty Icenogle had been married Thanksgiving week, November 2014, in a small private ceremony at their home in Los Angeles, the first week in December, by posting the announcement to his Facebook page with hashtag #TBT ("Throwback Thursday").
4
Sean and his husband Scotty had been together for eight years before getting married. They managed to keep their engagement and impending wedding a secret, although his impending private wedding ceremony was almost "outted" when Sean was asked about the ring he was wearing on his left ring finger on The Talk (2010) the week before Thanksgiving. After evading the question, Hayes' publicist released a statement the next day, "Sean Hayes and Scott Icenogle have been together for eight years. They are not yet married, but they have been engaged for quite some time".
5
Set to star in the Broadway revival of "Promises, Promises," also starring "Wicked" star Kristin Chenoweth. Previews started March 28, 2010, with regular performance opening on April 25, 2010. He and Kristin were scheduled to leave the show on December 26, 2010, but when closing was announced for January 2, 2011, both stars stayed for the entire run of the show. [March 2010]
6
He is of Irish ancestry.
7
Wanted to star in a spin off series from Will & Grace (1998), but after seeing what happened to Friends (1994) spin off Joey (2004) on NBC, he decided against it.
8
He was the youngest of the Will & Grace (1998) regular cast.
9
Classically trained pianist.
10
Hayes was listed as a potential nominee for the 2004 Razzie Award nominating ballot. He was suggested in the Worst Supporting Actor category for his performance in the film The Cat in the Hat (2003), however, he failed to receive a nomination.
11
Close friends with actress Rosa Blasi, and attended her wedding to New York Football Giants fullback Jim Finn on February 14, 2004.
12
He saved a man's life in 2001. Courtney Cunningham, 33, reported that two men stopped him near the driveway of his Los Angeles home, then robbed him and shot him in the leg. Hayes was driving in L.A.'s mid-Wilshire district when he noticed Cunningham lying in the street. The actor stopped to help the victim, ripping off his own shirt and pressing it against Cunningham's wound to stop the bleeding. Hayes called 911 on his cell phone and waited for paramedics to arrive.
13
The first thing he bought after he made some money was a concert grand piano.
14
As a teenager, Sean was an extra in Winona Ryder's first movie, also starring Corey Haim as the title character, Lucas (1986), which was filmed at Sean's High School in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.
15
Graduated from Illinois State University in 1992, where he had studied music and theatre.
$18 Million
