History of Tommy Lee Jones in Timeline

Share: FB Share X Share Reddit Share Reddit Share
Tommy Lee Jones

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.

1926: Birth of Clyde C. Jones

In 1926, Clyde C. Jones, Tommy Lee Jones's father, was born. He later worked as a cowboy and oil field worker.

1928: Birth of Lucille Marie Jones

In 1928, Lucille Marie Scott, Tommy Lee Jones's mother, was born. She later became a police officer, school teacher, and beauty shop owner.

September 15, 1946: Tommy Lee Jones Born

On September 15, 1946, Tommy Lee Jones was born. He is an American actor who has received various accolades, including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.

1965: Played Football for Harvard Crimson

From 1965, Tommy Lee Jones played guard on the Harvard Crimson football team, marking the beginning of his athletic involvement at the college level.

1965: Entered Harvard College

In 1965, Tommy Lee Jones entered Harvard College on need-based aid, marking the beginning of his higher education.

1965: Graduated from St. Mark's School of Texas

In 1965, Tommy Lee Jones graduated from St. Mark's School of Texas in Dallas, which he attended on a scholarship.

1968: Member of Undefeated Harvard Football Team

In 1968, Tommy Lee Jones was a member of Harvard's undefeated football team, and played in the memorable Harvard vs. Yale game.

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.

1969: Graduated from Harvard

In 1969, Tommy Lee Jones graduated from Harvard University with a Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, majoring in English literature.

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: Married Kate Lardner

In 1971, Tommy Lee Jones married Kate Lardner, the niece of screenwriter and journalist Ring Lardner Jr.

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.

1977: Acted in Rolling Thunder

In 1977, Tommy Lee Jones played a Vietnam veteran in Rolling Thunder, contributing to his developing acting career.

1977: Portrayed Howard Hughes

In 1977, Tommy Lee Jones portrayed Howard Hughes in the CBS film The Amazing Howard Hughes.

1978: Divorced Kate Lardner

In 1978, Tommy Lee Jones divorced Kate Lardner, his first wife.

1978: Acted in The Betsy and Eyes of Laura Mars

In 1978, Tommy Lee Jones played an automobile mogul in The Betsy and a police detective in Eyes of Laura Mars, further diversifying his 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: Co-starred in The Rainmaker

In 1982, Tommy Lee Jones co-starred with Tuesday Weld in the HBO adaptation of The Rainmaker, directed by John Frankenheimer.

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: Death of Clyde C. Jones

In 1986, Clyde C. Jones, Tommy Lee Jones's father, passed away. He had been a cowboy and oil field worker.

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.

1989: Emmy Nomination for Lonesome Dove

In 1989, Tommy Lee Jones earned another Emmy nomination for his portrayal of Texas Ranger Woodrow F. Call in the acclaimed television mini-series Lonesome Dove.

1989: Nominated for Emmy for Lonesome Dove

In 1989, Tommy Lee Jones was nominated for an Emmy for his portrayal of Texas Ranger Woodrow F. Call in the television miniseries Lonesome Dove.

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 and Starred in The Good Old Boys

In 1995, Tommy Lee Jones directed and starred in the western TNT movie The Good Old Boys.

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: Gave nominating speech for Al Gore

At the 2000 Democratic National Convention, Tommy Lee Jones gave the nominating speech for his former college roommate, Al Gore, as the Democratic Party's nominee for President of the United States.

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.

March 19, 2001: Married Dawn Laurel

On March 19, 2001, Tommy Lee Jones married his third wife, Dawn Laurel.

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.

2011: Appeared in Japanese Public Service Announcements

In 2011, Tommy Lee Jones appeared in public service announcements on Japanese television to remember those lost in the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.

2011: Directed, Starred in, and Executive Produced The Sunset Limited

In 2011, Tommy Lee Jones directed, starred in, and executive produced the HBO film The Sunset Limited.

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.

2013: Death of Lucille Marie Jones

In 2013, Lucille Marie Jones (née Scott), Tommy Lee Jones's mother, passed away. She had been a police officer, school teacher, and beauty shop owner.

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.

2019: Sold equestrian estate in Wellington, Florida

In 2019, Tommy Lee Jones sold his equestrian estate in Wellington, Florida.

Mentioned in this timeline

HBO
Will Smith
CBS
Clint Eastwood
TNT
Football
Earthquake

Trending

Naomi Osaka
Paige Spiranac
Justin Eichorn
Jeremy Boreing
Stassi Schroeder
Josh Brolin
Capitol Hill Block Party
Les Snead

Popular

Sarah McBride
LeBron James
Cristiano Ronaldo
Voice of America
Ben Folds
Fox News
Simone Biles
Pam Bondi
Michael Jordan
Dylan Mulvaney
Discover More