John Hawkes

John Hawkes (born John Marvin Perkins on September 11, 1959, in Alexandria, Minnesota) is an American screen actor and musician known for quietly intense performances across film and television. Early in his career, he helped launch the Big State Productions Theatre Company and performed with the troupe, including at Washington, D.C.’s Kennedy Center. He later adopted the professional name “John Hawkes” after discovering another actor was already working under his birth name.

Hawkes gained major critical attention with Me and You and Everyone We Know (2005), playing Richard Swersey in a film celebrated on the festival circuit. His résumé spans studio hits and cult favorites alike, with memorable turns in The Perfect Storm (as Mike “Bugsy” Moran), From Dusk Till Dawn (as Pete Bottoms), Identity (as Larry), Rush Hour (as Stucky), and Scary Movie (as Warren), as well as Miami Vice (as Alonzo Stevens).

On television, Hawkes is widely recognized for his standout role as Sol Star on HBO’s Deadwood, bringing warmth and grit to a frontier world defined by volatility. Whether anchoring indie dramas or elevating genre thrillers, he has built a career on specificity, restraint, and a distinct on-screen presence.