Jackie Earle Haley
A character actor who journeyed from 1970s teen idol to an Oscar-nominated comeback as a haunting, complex villain.
Born 1961 (age 65)·American actor·Birthday: July 14·Baby Boomers
Biography
Jackie Earle Haley first captured America's attention as the motorcycle-riding, rule-breaking slugger Kelly Leak in 'The Bad News Bears,' embodying a certain brand of 1970s teen cool. For years after that franchise ended, he struggled to escape the shadow of that role, eventually stepping away from acting to direct commercials. His return two decades later was nothing short of spectacular. In 2006, he delivered a chilling, nuanced performance as a registered sex offender in 'Little Children,' a role that earned him an Academy Award nomination and completely reshaped his career. Hollywood suddenly saw him not as a former child star, but as a master of unsettling intensity, leading to iconic parts like the vengeful Rorschach in 'Watchmen' and the nightmare-fueling Freddy Krueger in the 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' remake. Haley's career is a testament to resilience and the power of a transformative performance.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
Jackie was born in 1961, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Jackie Was Born
The biggest hits of 1961
#1 Movie
101 Dalmatians
Best Picture
West Side Story
#1 TV Show
Wagon Train
Jackie's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1961Born
Yuri Gagarin becomes the first human in space
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $12,500Min wage: $1.15/hrPresident: John F. Kennedy"Tossin' and Turnin'" — Bobby LewisBest Picture: West Side Story
1966Started school
Star Trek premieres on television
Gas: $0.32/galHome: $14,200Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"The Ballad of the Green Berets" — SSgt Barry SadlerBest Picture: A Man for All Seasons
1974Became a teenager
Nixon resigns the presidency
Gas: $0.53/galHome: $22,600Min wage: $2.00/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"The Way We Were" — Barbra StreisandBest Picture: The Godfather Part II
1977Could drive
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1979Could vote
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1982Turned 21
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1991Turned 30
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
2001Turned 40
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2011Turned 50
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2021Turned 60
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 65 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in 'Little Children' (2006).
- Revived his acting career with a critically acclaimed performance in 'All the King's Men' (2006).
- Portrayed the iconic comic book character Rorschach in the film adaptation of 'Watchmen' (2009).
- Played the classic horror villain Freddy Krueger in the 2010 remake of 'A Nightmare on Elm Street'.
Did You Know?
He was a nationally ranked child soapbox derby racer.
Haley is only 5'5" tall.
He was considered for the role of Danny Zuko in 'Grease' but was deemed too short.
Before his comeback, he worked for years as a director of television commercials.
“I've always been drawn to the darker corners of a character.”
