Sean Hayes is an American actor, comedian, producer, and voice artist who has a net worth of $30 million. He is best known for his role as Jack McFarland on the hit sitcom Will & Grace, which earned him an Emmy Award and six Golden Globe nominations. But how did he achieve such success and wealth in the entertainment industry? Here is a look at his career and earnings.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Sean Hayes was born in 1970 in Chicago, Illinois, as the youngest of five children. His father, Ronald, was a lithographer who left the family when Sean was five, and his mother, Mary, was the director of a food bank. He grew up in the suburb of Glen Ellyn and attended Glenbard West High School. He then studied piano performance at Illinois State University, but dropped out to become the musical director of a theater in St. Charles, Illinois. He also did improv comedy at The Second City in Chicago and composed music for a Steppenwolf Theatre production of Antigone.
In 1995, Hayes moved to Los Angeles and started doing stand-up comedy and acting in commercials. He also appeared in a few TV shows, such as Silk Stalkings and Ned and Stacey, before landing his breakthrough role in 1998.
Will & Grace and Mainstream Success
Hayes auditioned for the role of Jack McFarland, a flamboyant and hilarious gay friend of the titular characters, on the NBC sitcom Will & Grace. He impressed the creators and the network executives with his comedic timing and chemistry with the other cast members. He was cast as a regular and became an instant fan favorite. The show ran for eight seasons from 1998 to 2006, and was revived for three more seasons from 2017 to 2020. It was one of the most popular and acclaimed sitcoms of its time, and also one of the most influential in portraying LGBTQ+ characters and issues.
For his performance as Jack, Hayes received numerous awards and nominations, including an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 2000, and six consecutive Golden Globe nominations from 2000 to 2005. He also hosted the 64th Tony Awards in 2010, which won an Emmy for Outstanding Special Class Program.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Hayes earned $250,000 per episode for the first run of Will & Grace, and $600,000 per episode for the revival. That means he made about $45 million from the show alone.
Other Projects and Ventures
Besides Will & Grace, Hayes has also appeared in several movies, such as Billy’s Hollywood Screen Kiss, Cats & Dogs, The Cat in the Hat, Pieces of April, The Bucket List, The Three Stooges, and Monster-in-Law. He also played comedian Jerry Lewis in the TV movie Martin and Lewis, which earned him a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination. He has also done voice work for animated films and shows, such as Igor, The Emoji Movie, Tangled: The Series, and Bob’s Burgers.
Hayes has also been active in theater, starring in Broadway productions of Promises, Promises and An Act of God. He also produced and starred in a one-man show called Sean Saves the World, which was later adapted into a short-lived NBC sitcom of the same name.
Additionally, Hayes is the co-founder of a production company called Hazy Mills Productions, which has produced several TV shows, such as Grimm, Hot in Cleveland, Hollywood Game Night, The History of Comedy, and The Soul Man. He also hosts a podcast with his friend Scott Icenogle called SmartLess, which features interviews with celebrities and experts.
Personal Life and Philanthropy
Hayes is openly gay and married his longtime partner, Scott Icenogle, in 2014. They live in Los Angeles and have two dogs. Hayes is also involved in various charitable causes, such as The Trevor Project, GLAAD, Stand Up to Cancer, and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
Conclusion
Sean Hayes is one of the most successful and versatile actors and comedians in Hollywood. He has made a name for himself with his iconic role as Jack on Will & Grace, and has also ventured into other fields, such as film, theater, voice acting, producing, and podcasting. He has amassed a net worth of $30 million, and continues to entertain and inspire millions of fans around the world.