Tracy Letts Bio
Tracy S. Letts is an American actor, playwright, and screenwriter. He started his career at the Steppenwolf Theatre before making his Broadway debut as a playwright for August: Osage County (2007), for which he received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play. As an actor, he won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for the Broadway revival of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (2013). Letts is recognized for his contributions to both theatre and film, showcasing a diverse range of talents throughout his career.
Early Life and Background
Tracy Letts was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to author Billie Letts and actor Dennis Letts. He has two brothers, Shawn, a musician, and Dana. Growing up in Durant, Oklahoma, he graduated from Durant High School in the early 1980s. Letts moved to Dallas, where he began his acting career while working in telemarketing and waiting tables. His early exposure to the craft included appearing in Jerry Flemmons’s O Dammit!, part of a new playwrights’ series sponsored by Southern Methodist University.
Path to Hollywood
At the age of 20, Letts relocated to Chicago, where he spent the next 11 years working at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Famous Door. He became a founding member of Bang Bang Spontaneous Theatre, alongside notable actors like Greg Kotis and Michael Shannon. In 1991, Letts wrote the play Killer Joe, which premiered at the Next Lab Theater in Evanston, Illinois, and later at the 29th Street Rep in New York City. His work at Steppenwolf laid the foundation for his future success in both theatre and film.
Tracy Letts Career
Early Career (1988–2007)
Letts began his career in the late 1980s, performing in various productions at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company. He gained recognition for his play Killer Joe, which was performed internationally in multiple languages. His most significant work, August: Osage County, premiered at the Steppenwolf Theatre in June 2007 and later debuted on Broadway in December 2007. The production received critical acclaim, winning six Tony Awards, including Best Play, and earned Letts the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2008.
Breakthrough (2008–Present)
Letts’s breakthrough as an actor came with his performance in the Broadway revival of Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? in 2012, where he portrayed George. His portrayal earned him the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play in 2013. He continued to act on Broadway in productions such as All My Sons and The Minutes, the latter being his first time acting in one of his own plays.
Notable Works and Milestones
Letts is known for his signature work, August: Osage County, which won multiple awards and accolades. His acting career includes notable roles in films such as Ford v Ferrari and Little Women, as well as television appearances in series like Homeland and Divorce.
Tracy Letts Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Tracy Letts has received numerous nominations for his work in theatre, film, and television. His contributions have been recognized by various prestigious organizations, highlighting his talent and versatility as an artist.
Tracy Letts Awards Won
Tracy Letts has won several significant awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and multiple Tony Awards for his work in theatre. His achievements reflect his impact on the performing arts and his dedication to his craft.
Tracy Letts Family
Tracy Letts is married to actress Carrie Coon, with whom he tied the knot in September 2013. The couple has two children, born in 2018 and 2021. Letts comes from a family with a strong artistic background, as both of his parents were involved in the arts.
Personal Life
In addition to his successful career, Letts has a personal life marked by resilience and dedication. He has been sober since 1993 and previously had relationships with actress Sarah Paulson and Holly Wantuch, who passed away in 1998. Letts continues to balance his professional and personal life while contributing to the arts.
