John Hawkes stands out as a distinguished actor celebrated for his remarkable ability to embody diverse characters across a spectrum of genres. Audiences eagerly anticipate his upcoming role in the fourth season of HBO’s acclaimed “True Detective,” where he will star alongside Jodie Foster, further cementing his reputation for engaging and compelling performances.
Hawkes’ recent work includes the independent film “Roving Woman” and the critically acclaimed “The Peanut Butter Falcon,” co-starring Shia LaBeouf. “The Peanut Butter Falcon” garnered significant recognition, including accolades from the National Board of Review and the audience award at SXSW. He also featured in Nicholas Winding Refn’s crime drama “Too Old to Die Young,” which premiered at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, showcasing his commitment to challenging and diverse roles. Adding to his impressive resume, Hawkes reprised his beloved role as ‘Sol Star’ in the “Deadwood” reunion movie, a continuation of the celebrated HBO series, much to the delight of long-time fans.
His filmography boasts further notable titles such as “End of Sentence” with Logan Lerman, and the award-winning “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” which received the Audience Award at the Toronto International Film Festival and a SAG Award for Best Ensemble. He also starred in “Small Town Crime” opposite Octavia Spencer and “Unlovable” alongside Melissa Leo, consistently demonstrating his range and depth as an actor.
A pivotal moment in John Hawkes’ career arrived with his powerful portrayal of poet Mark O’Brien in “The Sessions.” This performance earned him the Best Actor award at the Independent Spirit Awards, as well as nominations for a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award. “The Sessions” also resonated with audiences, winning the Audience Award and a Special Jury Prize for its ensemble cast at Sundance. Hawkes continued to garner critical acclaim for his nuanced depiction of pianist Joe Albany in the indie drama “Low Down.” However, it was his raw and unforgettable performance as ‘Teardrop’ in “Winter’s Bone” that truly catapulted him into the spotlight, earning him an Independent Spirit Award and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, alongside nominations from the Screen Actors Guild and numerous critics’ circles.
Further expanding his impressive body of work, Hawkes’ film credits include “Everest,” alongside a star-studded cast including Jake Gyllenhaal and Josh Brolin, the indie ensemble “Driftless Area,” the noir thriller “Too Late,” and Elmore Leonard’s “Life of Crime.” He has also appeared in major studio productions such as Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln” and Steven Soderbergh’s “Contagion,” as well as the independent hit “Martha Marcy May Marlene,” which brought him another Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Earlier in his career, he starred in “Me and You and Everyone We Know,” a Sundance Special Jury Prize winner, and co-produced and starred in “Buttleman,” earning a Breakout Performance Award at the Sedona Film Festival. His earlier film roles include appearances in mainstream hits like “American Gangster,” “Miami Vice,” “Identity,” “The Perfect Storm,” “Hardball,” and cult favorites such as “Wristcutters: A Love Story,” “From Dusk Till Dawn,” and “A Slipping-Down Life.”
Born in rural Minnesota, John Hawkes’ artistic journey began in Austin, Texas, where he honed his skills as both an actor and musician. He co-founded the Big State Productions theatre company, showcasing his early theatrical talents at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. in their original play “In the West.” He also took on the lead role in the national touring production of “Greater Tuna,” enjoying extended runs in major cities like Los Angeles and Chicago. Venturing into solo performance, Hawkes wrote and performed “Nimrod Soul” at the Theatre at the Improv and graced Broadway in “24 Hour Plays.” He further demonstrated his stage presence in the Manhattan Theater Club’s off-Broadway production of “Lost Lake.” Beyond acting, Hawkes has explored musical theatre, co-writing the script and songs for the rock and roll musical “Where’s Cherry?”.
John Hawkes’ creative talents extend into music, having written and recorded songs for various film and television projects. Notably, he penned and performs an original song for “True Detective.” He previously collaborated with T-Bone Burnett on a song for “Peanut Butter Falcon” and contributed original songs to “Unlovable.” His song ‘Bred and Buttered’ is featured on the “Winter’s Bone” soundtrack, and he composed ‘Down with Mary’ for “Too Late.” With his former band, King Straggler, he performed at prestigious events like the Sundance Film Festival and SXSW Music Festival. Hawkes continues to pursue his musical passions, writing, recording, and performing in diverse locations, including recent performances in Reykjavik. John Hawkes’ career is a testament to his dedication, versatility, and enduring talent across acting and music.
