Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Tommy Lee Jones
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Tommy Lee Jones made an impact.
Tommy Lee Jones is a highly acclaimed American actor recognized for his versatile performances in film and television. He has garnered significant recognition for his work, including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. His career spans decades, and he is known for his stoic demeanor and compelling portrayals of complex characters in a wide range of genres.
1969: Broadway Debut
After graduating from Harvard in 1969, Tommy Lee Jones moved to New York City and made his Broadway debut in A Patriot for Me.
1970: First Film Role in Love Story
In 1970, Tommy Lee Jones landed his first film role, playing a Harvard student in Love Story.
1971: Returned to Broadway in Four on a Garden
In early 1971, Tommy Lee Jones returned to Broadway in Abe Burrows' Four on a Garden, sharing the stage with Carol Channing and Sid Caesar.
1974: Acted in Ulysses in Nighttown
In 1974, Tommy Lee Jones returned to the stage for a short-lived production of Ulysses in Nighttown.
1975: Left One Life to Live
In 1975, Tommy Lee Jones ended his portrayal of Dr. Mark Toland on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live, a role he held from 1971.
1976: Played a hunted convict in Jackson County Jail
In 1976, Tommy Lee Jones played a hunted escaped convict in Jackson County Jail, adding to his early film roles.
1980: Role in Coal Miner's Daughter
In 1980, Tommy Lee Jones appeared in Coal Miner's Daughter, marking one of his notable early roles.
1980: Golden Globe Nomination for Coal Miner's Daughter
In 1980, Tommy Lee Jones earned his first Golden Globe nomination for his portrayal of Doolittle "Mooney" Lynn in Coal Miner's Daughter.
1981: Starred in Back Roads
In 1981, Tommy Lee Jones played a drifter opposite Sally Field in Back Roads, a comedy that received middling reviews.
1982: Won Emmy for The Executioner's Song
In 1982, Tommy Lee Jones won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for his role as Gary Gilmore in The Executioner's Song.
1983: Received Emmy for The Executioner's Song
In 1983, Tommy Lee Jones received an Emmy for Best Actor for his performance as Gary Gilmore in a TV adaptation of Norman Mailer's The Executioner's Song.
1986: Acted in Black Moon Rising
In 1986, Tommy Lee Jones played a former thief working for the FBI in the action thriller Black Moon Rising.
1988: Co-starred in April Morning
In 1988, Tommy Lee Jones co-starred with Chad Lowe and Robert Urich in the made-for-TV film April Morning, depicting the battle of Lexington.
1991: Nominated for Oscar for JFK
In 1991, Tommy Lee Jones received an Oscar nomination for his role as businessman Clay Shaw in the film JFK.
1991: Acted in JFK and earned Oscar Nomination
In 1991, Tommy Lee Jones was featured in JFK, which earned him an Oscar nomination, marking a significant milestone in his career.
1992: Acted in Under Siege
In 1992, Tommy Lee Jones played a role in the film Under Siege, further establishing his presence in action films.
1993: Acted in The Fugitive
In 1993, Tommy Lee Jones co-starred in The Fugitive, earning him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
1993: Won Academy Award for The Fugitive
In 1993, Tommy Lee Jones won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as U.S. Marshal Samuel Gerard in the thriller film The Fugitive.
1994: Roles in The Client and Natural Born Killers
In 1994, Tommy Lee Jones portrayed "Reverend" Roy Foltrigg in The Client and a prison warden in Natural Born Killers.
1994: Starred in Cobb
In 1994, Tommy Lee Jones starred in the film Cobb, for which he shaved his head, a fact he referenced during his Oscar acceptance speech.
1994: Roles in Natural Born Killers and The Client
In 1994, Tommy Lee Jones took on roles in both Natural Born Killers and The Client, showcasing his versatility as an actor.
1995: Appeared in Batman Forever
In 1995, Tommy Lee Jones appeared in Batman Forever, continuing to build his profile in major film productions.
1995: Directed The Good Old Boys
In 1995, Tommy Lee Jones directed his first film, The Good Old Boys, a made-for-television movie.
1997: Starred in Volcano and Men in Black
In 1997, Tommy Lee Jones starred in both Volcano and Men in Black, solidifying his status as a leading man in Hollywood.
1998: Acted in U.S. Marshals
In 1998, Tommy Lee Jones acted in U.S. Marshals, a sequel to The Fugitive, reprising his acclaimed role as Deputy U.S. Marshal Samuel Gerard.
1999: Acted in Double Jeopardy
In 1999, Tommy Lee Jones acted in Double Jeopardy, adding to his list of significant film roles.
2000: Co-starred in Rules of Engagement and Space Cowboys
In 2000, Tommy Lee Jones co-starred in Rules of Engagement with Samuel L. Jackson and in Space Cowboys with Clint Eastwood.
2002: Acted in Men in Black II
In 2002, Tommy Lee Jones reprised his role as Agent K in Men in Black II, co-starring with Will Smith.
2005: Directed The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada
In 2005, Tommy Lee Jones directed his first theatrical feature film, The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada, which was presented at the Cannes Film Festival.
2006: Became Spokesman for Suntory
Since 2006, Tommy Lee Jones has been a spokesman for Japanese brewing company Suntory, appearing in commercials as "Alien Jones".
2007: Nominated for Oscar for In the Valley of Elah
In 2007, Tommy Lee Jones received an Oscar nomination for his role as Hank Deerfield in In the Valley of Elah.
2007: Starred in In the Valley of Elah and No Country for Old Men
In 2007, Tommy Lee Jones starred in In the Valley of Elah and No Country for Old Men, earning an Academy Award nomination for the former.
2010: Acted in The Company Men
In 2010, Tommy Lee Jones appeared alongside Ben Affleck in the recession drama The Company Men, receiving praise for his performance.
2011: Acted in Captain America: The First Avenger
In 2011, Tommy Lee Jones appeared in Captain America: The First Avenger, further cementing his presence in blockbuster films.
2012: Nominated for Oscar for Lincoln
In 2012, Tommy Lee Jones received an Oscar nomination for his role as Congressman Thaddeus Stevens in Lincoln.
2012: Starred in Men in Black 3 and Lincoln
In 2012, Tommy Lee Jones starred in Men in Black 3, Hope Springs, and Lincoln, receiving critical acclaim and an Oscar nomination for Lincoln.
2016: Appeared in Jason Bourne
In 2016, Tommy Lee Jones acted in Jason Bourne, continuing to take on roles in prominent action-thriller films.
2019: Appeared in Ad Astra
In 2019, Tommy Lee Jones continued appearing in popular films, including Ad Astra.
