Basic Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Jackie Earl Haley |
| Date of Birth | July 14, 1961 |
| Place of Birth | Northridge, Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Parents | Haven Earle “Bud” Haley; Iris D. Douglas |
| Siblings | Tru Haley; Meg Haley |
| Occupation | Actor; Voice Actor |
| Years Active | 1972–present |
| Current Residence | San Antonio, Texas |
Early Life and Family Background
Radio DJ and occasional actor Haven Earle “Bud” Haley and Iris D. Douglas had Jackie Earl Haley on July 14, 1961, in Northridge, Los Angeles. His childhood siblings, Tru and Meg Haley, are hardly mentioned. Jackie, from Southern California, started working in front of cameras at age 11, providing his voice for the animated series Curiosity Shop and commercials as “Dennis the Menace.” His early years in Los Angeles shaped his foundation in screen performance and voice work, which he would use throughout his career.
Marriages and Children
| Marriage Order | Spouse | Married | Children |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sherry Vaughan | November 6, 1979 | None |
| 2 | Jennifer Hargrave | 1985 | Christopher (b. 1986); Olivia (b. 1998) |
| 3 | Amelia Cruz | August 6, 2004 | None |
- Haley married Sherry Vaughan at 18 on November 6, 1979, however the marriage dissolved without issues.
- Second Marriage: He married Jennifer Hargrave in 1985 and had Christopher in 1986 and Olivia in 1998.
- Third marriage: He married photographer Amelia Cruz on August 6, 2004. They live privately in San Antonio, Texas.
Career Journey and Notable Achievements
Jackie Earl Haley’s professional trajectory can be divided into three major phases:
1. Child Stardom (1972–1979)
| Year | Project | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Curiosity Shop (voice work) | Dennis the Menace |
| 1976 | The Bad News Bears | Kelly Leak |
| 1977 | The Bad News Bears Go to Japan | Kelly Leak |
| 1978 | The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training | Kelly Leak |
- From age 11, voiced Dennis the Menace in commercials and Curiosity Shop.
- As Kelly Leak in The Bad News Bears (1976) and its two sequels, he became a nationally recognized child actor.
2. Hiatus and Behind‑the‑Scenes (1990s–2005)
- After minor roles in the 1980s, Haley stepped away from acting in the early 1990s.
- He spent almost a decade writing, producing, and directing television advertisements in San Antonio.
3. Triumphant Return (2006–present)
| Year | Project | Role | Recognition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | All the King’s Men | “Sugar Boy” Ellis | On‑screen comeback |
| 2006 | Little Children | Ronnie McGorvey | Academy Award nomination |
| 2009 | Watchmen | Rorschach | Critical acclaim; cultural icon |
| 2010 | A Nightmare on Elm Street | Freddy Krueger | Reinvented horror legend |
| 2010 | Shutter Island | George Noyce | Key supporting role |
| 2012 | Lincoln | Postmaster Almon Sellers | Ensemble recognition |
| 2012 | Dark Shadows | Judah Zachary | Genre versatility |
| 2016–19 | The Tick (Amazon Prime) | The Terror | Recurring series role |
- His role as Ronnie McGorvey in Little Children (2006) garnered him a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination.
- Iconic Characters: His Rorschach in Watchmen (2009) increased the character’s depth, while his Freddy Krueger in A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010) recreated his menace.
- His roles in Shutter Island, Lincoln, and The Tick show his versatility.
In 30 years, Haley has won 12 industry accolades and 17 nominations, including an Oscar.
Public Image and Influence
Jackie Earl Haley is recognized for playing psychologically complicated antiheroes from innocent child roles. His portrayal of Rorschach, highlighting his eerie vulnerability, has given comic-book adaptations a more sophisticated narrative. Previous reboots lacked dread and unpredictability before his Freddy Krueger role. Despite his fame, Haley rarely gives interviews and insists on engaging audiences through his performances.
Social Media Presence
| Platform | Handle/URL | Followers/Likes |
|---|---|---|
| Official Page | 61,724 likes; 12,052 talking about | |
| @jackieearle | ~25,000 followers | |
| X (Twitter) | @jackieearle | ~39,000 followers |
- Facebook: Updates focus on film premieres and occasional family milestones.
- Instagram: Shares behind‑the‑scenes images, early‑career throwbacks, and event promotions.
- X (formerly Twitter): Infrequent posts are limited to brief project announcements.
Recent News
- Your Host: Haley stars in the horror thriller making its global premiere at FrightFest 2025 on August 22, 2025, at London’s Odeon Luxe Leicester Square. Four buddies face a cursed VHS camcorder in the woods.
- Ongoing Projects: He is working on many independent films for late 2025, maintaining his presence in genre filmmaking.
FAQ
Who is Jackie Earl Haley?
Jackie Earl Haley is an American actor best known for playing Kelly Leak in The Bad News Bears and Rorschach and Freddy Krueger.
What was his breakthrough as a child actor?
His breakthrough came in 1976 as Kelly Leak in The Bad News Bears and its sequels through 1978.
How many times has he been married and who are his children?
He is married three times and has two children, Christopher (b.1986) and Olivia (b.1998), from his second marriage.
For which role did he receive an Academy Award nomination?
His depiction of Ronnie McGorvey in Little Children (2006) earned him a Best Supporting Actor nomination.
What character did he portray in Watchmen?
He portrayed the vigilante Rorschach in the 2009 film Watchmen.
Where does he currently reside?
He resides in San Antonio, Texas, with his wife, artist and photographer Amelia Cruz.
What is his upcoming project premiere?
His upcoming project Your Host will premiere at FrightFest on August 22, 2025, in London.
How many industry awards has he won?
His 12 wins and 17 nominations include critics’ and Academy Award nominations.
