Tracy Letts (born October 4, 1965) is an American playwright, screenwriter, and actor. He is recognized for his contributions to contemporary theatre, notably for the Pulitzer Prize‑winning drama August: Osage County (2007), and for his work in film and television.
Early life and education
Letts was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Thomas Letts, a playwright and professor, and Susan Letts. He grew up in a family involved in theatre and the arts. Letts earned a Bachelor of Arts in Acting from the University of Texas at Austin and later obtained a Master of Fine Arts from the Yale School of Drama in 1995.
Career
Theatre
Letts began his playwriting career in the late 1990s, achieving early success with works such as Bug (1996) and Killer Joe (1998). His play August: Osage County opened on Broadway in 2007, receiving critical acclaim and winning the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the 2008 Tony Award for Best Play. Other notable plays include Killer Joe (revived on Broadway, 2018), Man from Nebraska (2003), and The Minutes (2020).
Film and television
As an actor, Letts has appeared in a variety of film and television productions. Film credits include The Big Short (2015), The Post (2017), and Jack Reacher (2012). Television roles encompass recurring characters on series such as Homeland (2012–2013), The Good Wife (2013), and Bloodline (2015–2017). He received a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his portrayal of George in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (2012).
Awards and honors
- Pulitzer Prize for Drama, August: Osage County (2008)
- Tony Award for Best Play, August: Osage County (2008)
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (2012)
- Multiple nominations for Drama Desk Awards and Outer Critics Circle Awards
Personal life
In 2013, Letts married actress Carrie Coon. The couple has a daughter, born in 2016. Letts maintains residences in New York City and Los Angeles.
Selected bibliography (plays)
- Bug (1996)
- Killer Joe (1998)
- Man from Nebraska (2003)
- August: Osage County (2007)
- The Minutes (2020)
Selected filmography (selected acting roles)
- The Big Short (2015) – Role: Mark P. Miller
- Homeland (2012–2013) – Role: Kevin White
- The Good Wife (2013) – Role: Agent Geller
Tracy Letts continues to write and perform for stage and screen, contributing to contemporary American drama and acting.