SEAN HAYES

Name, Age & Origins

Sean Patrick Hayes was born on June 26, 1970, in Evergreen Park, Illinois, and raised in nearby Glen Ellyn, just west of Chicago. As of 2025, he’s 54 years old, and carries his Midwest roots with pride .

Childhood, Education & Early Comedy

The youngest of five children, Sean was raised by his mother, Mary, a non-profit food bank director, and his father, Ronald, a lithographer—who left the home when Sean was five . He attended Glenbard West High School, then studied piano performance at Illinois State University, leaving just shy of graduation to become Music Director at Pheasant Run Theater . During his Chicago years, he also studied improv at Second City and composed theater music .

Breakout Role: Jack McFarland

After a 1998 Super Bowl Doritos commercial, Sean gained fame as Jack McFarland, the effervescent gay best friend on NBC’s sitcom Will & Grace (1998–2006; revival 2017–2020). His performance won him a Primetime Emmy and four SAG Awards, along with six Golden Globe nominations 

Film & Broadway Highlights

His early films include Billy’s Hollywood Screen Kiss (1998), followed by roles in Cats & Dogs (2001), The Cat in the Hat (2003), The Bucket List (2007), The Three Stooges (2012), and voice work in Igor (2008) . On Broadway, he made a splash in Promises, Promises (2010), earning a Tony nod; starred as God in An Act of God (2015–16); and won the Tony Award for Good Night, Oscar (2023), a role he’s reprising in London’s West End in summer 2025 .

Producer & Podcaster

Sean co-founded Hazy Mills Productions (2004), behind hits like Hot in Cleveland, Grimm, The Soul Man, and Hollywood Game Night . Since 2020, he co-hosts the popular comedy podcast SmartLess with Jason Bateman and Will Arnett, and also hosts HypochondriActor .

Personal Life & Health

Openly gay, Sean married his partner Scott Icenogle in 2014 after an eight-year relationship . He’s spoken publicly about managing atrial fibrillation, with ER visits to regulate his heartbeat, most recently in 2024 .

Style & Legacy

Sean Hayes embodies versatility—from scene-stealing sitcom roles and Broadway drama to producing and podcasting. His career blends musical talent, comedic wit, heartfelt storytelling, and entrepreneurial spirit, rooted in his classical piano background and rich Chicago upbringing