Jackie Earle Haley

Known for several prominent roles in the 70s and 80s, including work in Bad News Bears and Breaking Away, Jackie Earle Haley all but dropped out of the acting scene after 1993. He made a dramatic comeback, however, with his recent Oscar-nominated role in Little Children.

Jackie Earle Haley was born July 14, 1961 in Northridge, California. He made his onscreen debut in 1972 when he lent his voice to the cartoon Wait Till Your Father Gets Home. Other voice talents included Tom Bosley, Jack Burns, and Willie Aames.

For the next four years, he took one-time appearances on several television series as well as numerous bit parts in film. Notable work includes A Man Is Dead (1972) opposite Ann Margret and Angie Dickinson.

In 1976, Haley earned considerable exposure with his now-famous role in The Bad News Bears. He costarred with Walter Matthau, Chris Barnes, Tatum ONeal, and Vic Morrow. Practically overnight, Haley was a household name.

Amid several Bad News Bears sequels, Haley further solidified his fame with a major supporting role in the film Breaking Away starring Dennis Quaid.

Unfortunately, as with so many child actors, Haley’s star seemed to have risen too soon. After Breaking Away in 1979, Haley struggled to find work. From 1979 to 1993, he appeared in a slew of mildly popular television series and poorly received films. A few of these films, such as Dollman, reached a kind of cult status, but Haley certainly was not enjoying the commercial success of his youth.

Also of note is Haley’s 1983 film Losin’ It. Costarring Tom Cruise and Shelley Long, the teen sex comedy would probably have passed unnoticed had it not been for Cruise’s subsequent skyrocket to Hollywood’s A list.

After Prophet of Evil: The Ervil LeBaron Story (1993) with Brian Dennehy, Haley disappeared from the acting world altogether. In order to pay the mounting bills, Haley performed odd jobs ranging from pizza delivery man to limo driver.

Desiring to return to show business in any capacity, Haley began earning a good living directing and producing television commercials.

His much anticipated return to acting came with the 2006 film Little Children starring Kate Winslet, Patrick Wilson, and Jennifer Connelly. The film itself received much critical praise, but it was Haley’s performance that earned the Oscar nomination among an onslaught of other nominations and wins.

He also acted in the much anticipated 2006 remake, All the King’s Men. Despite Sean Penn, Jude Law, Anthony Hopkins, Mark Ruffalo, and James Gandolfini at the helm, the film fell flat with audiences.

Undeterred by these reviews, Haley jumped right into his next project, Winged Creatures. Due out 2008, it costars Kate Beckinsale, Dakota Fanning, Guy Pearce, Forest Whitaker, and Jennifer Hudson.

With a tumultuous professional life, it should be no surprise that Haley had a tumultuous personal life to match, including three marriages. Haley married his first wife, Sherry Vaughan, in 1979. They eventually divorced, and Haley remarried. That marriage ended in divorce as well. On August 6, 2004, Haley and Amelia Cruz tried their hand at marriage. They are currently still together.

Haley has two children, Christopher and Olivia.