Tracy Letts

Tracy Letts (also credited as Tracy S. Letts) is an American screen and stage artist born July 4, 1965, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. First gaining momentum with Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre, he became one of the most influential contemporary voices to move between acting, playwriting, and screenwriting with equal authority.

Letts broke through on Broadway as the writer of August: Osage County (2007), earning both the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play. He later added another Tony to his résumé for his performance as George in the Broadway revival of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, underscoring his rare dual status as an acclaimed author and actor.

His writing has powered major theatre hits including Killer Joe, Bug, Superior Donuts, and The Minutes, with several adapted for screen. As an actor, Letts has built a distinctive film presence in titles such as The Big Short (as Lawrence Fields), Elvis & Nixon (John Finlator), Christine (Michael), and Eric LaRue (Bill Verne), alongside earlier credits like Guinevere and Chicago Cab.

On television he is widely recognized for Showtime’s Homeland and HBO’s Divorce, and he earned Emmy attention for his guest work on Winning Time. Whether leading or supporting, Letts brings sharp intelligence and lived-in realism to every role.