Timothy Hutton

Biography

Timothy Hutton is an acclaimed American actor and director, best known for his powerful performance in Ordinary People (1980), which made him the youngest actor to ever win an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. With a career spanning over four decades, Hutton has showcased his versatility in film, television, and theater, earning recognition for his compelling performances.

Early Life and Background

Timothy Tarquin Hutton was born on August 16, 1960, in Malibu, California. He is the son of actor Jim Hutton, known for playing Ellery Queen in the 1970s TV series Ellery Queen, and Maryline Adams Poole, a teacher. His parents divorced when he was young, and he spent much of his childhood moving between Los Angeles and Massachusetts.

Hutton developed an interest in acting during high school and made his first television appearances in the late 1970s. His father’s influence and Hollywood connections helped him get early roles, but his talent quickly set him apart.

Breakthrough with Ordinary People

Hutton's breakthrough came at the age of 20 when he starred in Ordinary People (1980), directed by Robert Redford. He played Conrad Jarrett, a troubled teenager struggling with guilt and depression following the death of his older brother. The film, which also starred Donald Sutherland and Mary Tyler Moore, was a critical and commercial success.

Hutton’s raw and emotional performance earned him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, making him the youngest person ever to win in that category. This achievement catapulted him to stardom and established him as one of Hollywood’s most promising young actors.

Film Career

Following Ordinary People, Hutton starred in several notable films throughout the 1980s and 1990s, including:

• Taps (1981) – A military drama featuring a young cast that included Sean Penn and Tom Cruise.
• The Falcon and the Snowman (1985) – A spy thriller co-starring Sean Penn, based on a true story about two young Americans who sell secrets to the Soviet Union.
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• Made in Heaven (1987) – A romantic fantasy film directed by Alan Rudolph.
• Q & A (1990) – A crime thriller directed by Sidney Lumet, in which Hutton played a young district attorney investigating police corruption.
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Despite his early success, Hutton's career in major Hollywood films slowed down in the 1990s, but he continued to take on diverse and interesting roles in independent films and television.

Television Success and Later Career

In the 2000s, Hutton found renewed success on television. He starred in several acclaimed series, including:

• Leverage (2008–2012, 2021–present) – Hutton played Nathan Ford, a former insurance investigator who leads a team of con artists to help the less fortunate. The show was a fan favorite and ran for five seasons before being revived in 2021 as Leverage: Redemption.
• American Crime (2015–2017) – Hutton received praise for his role in this anthology crime drama created by John Ridley.
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• How to Get Away with Murder (2019–2020) – He had a recurring role in the final seasons of this hit legal drama starring Viola Davis.

Hutton has also appeared in TV movies, miniseries, and guest roles in popular shows, proving his ability to adapt to different formats.

Personal Life

Hutton was married twice, first to actress Debra Winger (1986–1990), with whom he has a son, and later to Aurore Giscard d'Estaing (2000–2009), with whom he has another son.