Thomas Haden Church Explained

Birth Name:Thomas Richard McMillen
Birth Date:17 June 1960
Birth Place:Woodland, California, U.S.
Years Active:1989–present
Partner:Mia Zottoli (2002-2008)
Children:2[1]
Education:Harlingen High School
Alma Mater:University of North Texas
Occupation:Actor

Thomas Haden Church (born Thomas Richard McMillen;[2] [3] June 17, 1960)[4] is an American actor. After starring in the 1990s sitcom Wings and playing the lead for two seasons in Ned & Stacey (1995–1997), Church became known for his film work, including his role of Lyle van de Groot in George of the Jungle (1997), his Academy Award–nominated performance in Sideways (2004), his role as the Marvel Comics villain Sandman in the superhero films Spider-Man 3 (2007) and (2021), as well as his starring roles in Over the Hedge (2006), Smart People (2008), Easy A (2010), We Bought a Zoo (2011), Max (2015), and Hellboy (2019). He also made his directorial debut with Rolling Kansas (2003). In 2023, he starred as antagonist Agent Stone in the post-apocalyptic action comedy series Twisted Metal.

Early life

Church was born Thomas Richard McMillen on June 17, 1960, in Woodland, Yolo County, California,[4] to Maxine (née Sanders; 1936–2021)[5] and Carlos "Carl" Richard McMillen (1936–2008), who served for eight years in the Marines and who was on active duty at the end of the Korean War; after 1962, Carl worked as a surveyor.[6] Church's parents divorced and his mother moved to Laredo, Texas. She remarried in 1969, to widower George A. Quesada, a veteran of an Army Air Forces reconnaissance unit which served in Guam in World War II.[7] Church took his stepfather's surname for a time but changed it to 'Haden Church', extracted from the names of other relatives, when people found 'Quesada' difficult to pronounce.[2] He left high school in 1977 to work in the oil fields of Louisiana, but he returned to graduate from Harlingen High School in 1979. He attended the University of North Texas while living in Dallas.[2]

Career

Church started in the entertainment business as a radio personality and doing voice-over work.[8] After appearing in an independent film, he moved to California to pursue an acting career. His character delivers a love letter to Carla Tortelli (Rhea Perlman) from her deceased former lover, Eddie LaBec, in the Cheers episode, "Death Takes a Vacation on Ice". He played the part of slow-witted aircraft mechanic Lowell Mather for six seasons (1990–95) on the NBC sitcom Wings.[9]

He worked in television for two more seasons, with a lead role in Ned & Stacey opposite Debra Messing. He has had supporting roles in films such as Tombstone, George of the Jungle, The Specials, and Demon Knight.

Church bought a ranch in Texas in 1998. In late 2000, he took a break from films.[8] After having small roles in films such as Monkeybone and 3000 Miles to Graceland, he made his directorial debut with Rolling Kansas in 2003. He has voiceover work in commercials, such as for Merrill Lynch and Icehouse beer.

In 2003, director Alexander Payne called him regarding the role of Jack, the selfish best friend of Paul Giamatti's character, in Sideways. During the audition, Church stripped naked to read the audition scene, later saying "To me, it was painfully obvious... I was reading the scene where Jack comes in naked and there has to be in-born vulnerability in the scene."[8] (He later found that he was the only actor to strip down for the audition).[10] Sideways earned acclaim for Church; he won an IFP Independent Spirit Award and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

He has since appeared in films such as Idiocracy, done voice-over work on films such as Over the Hedge and starred in one of AMC's highest rated television productions, Broken Trail, with Robert Duvall, in 2006, for which he won an Emmy. In 2007, he appeared as the villain Sandman in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 3 starring Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst.[11] He received praise for his portrayal of the character.[12] [13] Although he was not present on set he lent his voice to Sandman (digitally created) for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film , which was released in 2021 and linked both the Raimi and Marc Webb franchises to the MCU. Archival footage from Spider-Man 3 was used to show his human form at the end of the film where Jon Watts provided the motion-capture for Sandman.[14]

In 2005, he was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In October 2008, Church appeared as "Joe Six-Pack" in a video on funnyordie.com, challenging Joe the Plumber to a beer-drinking contest.[15] Church starred in the FEARnet webseries, Zombie Roadkill, alongside David Dorfman.[16] He also appeared in the HBO original series Divorce.

In December 2021, it was announced that Church will star alongside Toni Collette and Anna Faris in the comedy film The Estate, directed by Dean Craig.[17]

In March 2023, he played Lloyd in Acidman.

Personal life

Church lives on his 2000acres ranch near Kerrville, Texas.[8] [18] During the filming of Divorce, he rented a house in New Rochelle, New York.[19] He has two children from a former relationship with Mia Zottoli. Church has never married.[1] [20] [18] Church's father, Carl, died in 2008,[6] and his stepfather, George, died in 2012.[7]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1990Gypsy AngelsRoommate1989 version
uncredited
1993TombstoneBilly Clanton
1995Demon KnightRoach
1997George of the JungleLyle Van de Groot
One Night StandDon
1998Susan's PlanDr. Chris Stillman
Free MoneyLarry Lundstrom
1999GoosedSteven Troy
2000The SpecialsThe Strobe
20013000 Miles to GracelandUS Marshal Quigley
MonkeyboneDeath's AssistantUncredited
2002Lone Star State of MindKiller
The BadgeDavid Hardwick
2003Rolling KansasAgent Madsen / TrooperUncredited
Also writer/director
George of the Jungle 2Lyle Van de GrootDirect-to-video
2004Serial Killing 4 DummysVince Grimaldi
SidewaysJack Cole
SpanglishMike
2006Over the HedgeDwayne Voice
IdiocracyBrawndo CEO
Charlotte's WebBrooks Voice
2007Spider-Man 3Flint Marko / Sandman
2008Smart PeopleChuck Wetherhold
2009Don McKayDon McKayAlso executive producer
Imagine ThatJohnny Whitefeather
Aliens in the AtticTazer Voice
All About SteveHartman
2010Easy AMr. Griffith
2011Another Happy DayPaul
Killer JoeAnsel Smith
We Bought a ZooDuncan Mee
2012John CarterTal Hajus
2013WhitewashBruce Landry
Lucky ThemCharlie
2014Heaven Is for RealJay Wilkins
2015MaxRay Wincott
Daddy's HomeLeo Holt
2016Cardboard BoxerWillie
2017Crash PadGrady Dott
2019The Peanut Butter FalconClint / The Salt Water Redneck
HellboyLobster Johnson
2020The 24thCol. Norton
2021Flint Marko / SandmanVoice and archive footage[21] [22]
2022AcidmanLloyd
2023Accidental TexanMerle Luskey
2024Post-production
2025Wake Up Dead ManPost-production
TBAFilming

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1989Protect and SurfDwight JesmerTelevision film
21 Jump StreetTonyEpisode: "Eternal Flame"
CheersGordie BrownEpisode: "Death Takes a Holiday on Ice"
China BeachJack DanielsEpisode: "China Man"
BookerLeon Ross2 episodes
1990–1995WingsLowell Mather123 episodes
1992Flying BlindJonathan2 episodes
1993Fugitive Nights: Danger in the DesertNelson HareemTelevision film
1995–1997Ned and StaceyNed Dorsey46 episodes
1995PartnersEpisode: "City Hall"
1998Mr. MurderDrew Oslett Jr.Television film
2001Gary & MikeAdditional voicesEpisode: "Washington D.C."
The Cartoon Cartoon ShowDoo Dah (voice)Episode: "Yee Hah & Doo Dah: Bronco Breakin' Boots"
Going to CaliforniaSchweeEpisode: "Apocalypse Cow"
2003Miss MatchAndrew HornEpisode: "Matchmaker, Matchmaker;
Uncredited
LuckyBobby BlaineEpisode: "The Method"
2004Teen TitansKiller Moth (voice)Episode: "Date with Destiny"
2006Broken TrailTom HarteTelevision miniseries;
2 episodes
2010Zombie RoadkillRanger Chet MastersonTelevision miniseries;
6 episodes
2012Regular ShowQuillgin (voice)Episode: "The Christmas Special"
2016–2019DivorceRobert Dufresne24 episodes;
Also executive producer
2021NatureNarratorEpisode: "Big Bend: The Wild Frontier of Texas"
2023Fired on MarsTrevor Sullivan (voice)2 episodes
Twisted MetalAgent StoneMain role

Video games

Yearwidth=90TitleVoice roleNotes
1990YsGoban TobaEnglish dub;
Credited as Thomas H. Church
2007Spider-Man 3Flint Marko / Sandman

Awards and nominations

Church has received multiple awards and nominations for his roles in both television and film. He earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in 2005 for his role as Jack in Sideways (2004), two Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor in 2004 for the film Sideways (2004) and Best Supporting Actor in 2007 for the miniseries Broken Trail (2006), won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie in 2007 for Broken Trail (2006), and won one of three Screen Actors Guild Award nominations in 2005 for Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for Sideways (2004).

YearTitleAccoladeResultsRef
2004SidewaysAward Circuit Community Award, Best Supporting Actor
Award Circuit Community Award, Best Cast Ensemble
Boston Society Film Critics Award, Best Supporting Actor
Boston Society Film Critics Award, Best Cast Ensemble
Chicago Film Critics Association Award, Best Supporting Actor
Florida Film Critics Circle Award, Best Supporting Actor
Golden Schmoes Award, Best Supporting Actor of the Year
Kansas City Film Critics Circle Award, Best Supporting Actor
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award, Best Supporting Actor
National Board of Review Award, Best Supporting Actor
New York Film Critics Circle Award, Best Supporting Actor
New York Film Critics Online Award, Best Supporting Actor
Phoenix Film Critics Society Award, Best Supporting Actor
Phoenix Film Critics Society Award, Best Ensemble Acting
San Francisco Film Critics Circle Award, Best Supporting Actor
Seattle Film Critics Award, Best Supporting Actor
Southeastern Film Critics Association Award, Best Supporting Actor
St. Louis Film Critics Association Award, Best Supporting Actor
Utah Film Critics Association Award, Best Supporting Actor
Village Voice Film Poll Award, Best Supporting Performance
Washing D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award, Best Supporting Actor
2005Academy Award, Best Supporting Actor
Critics Choice Award, Best Supporting Actor
Critics Choice Award, Best Ensemble
Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award, Best Supporting Actor
Gold Derby Award, Best Supporting Actor
Gold Derby Award, Best Ensemble
Golden Globe Award, Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
Independent Spirit Award, Best Supporting Male
International Online Cinema Award, Best Supporting Actor
Iowa Film Critics Award, Best Supporting Actor
National Society of Film Critics Award, Best Supporting Actor
Online Film & Television Association Award, Best Breakthrough Performance – Male[23]
Online Film & Television Association Award, Best Supporting Actor
Online Film Critics Society Award, Best Supporting Actor
Satellite Award, Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical
Screen Actors Guild Award, Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Screen Actors Guild Award, Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Motion Picture
Vancouver Film Critics Circle Award, Best Supporting Actor
2007Broken TrailGold Derby Award, Best Lead Actor in a Television Movie/Miniseries
Golden Globe Award, Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television
Monte-Carlo Television Festival Award, Mini-Series – Best Performance by an Actor
Online Film & Television Association Award, Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries[24]
Primetime Emmy Award, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie
Screen Actors Guild Award, Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
Spider-Man 3Teen Choice Award, Choice Movie – Rumble (shared with Tobey Maguire, James Franco, Topher Grace)
Broken TrailWestern Heritage Award, Outstanding Television Feature Film
2014WhitewashVancouver Film Critics Circle Award, Best Actor in a Canadian Film

Notes and References

  1. https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/oct/07/thomas-haden-church-interview-divorce-sarah-jessica-parker How did Thomas Haden Church land his role on Divorce? 'I was age-appropriate'
  2. News: Buck. Jerry. 'Wings' Character Stumbles, But He's Not Stupid, Star Says. Deseret News. Associated Press. August 3, 1992. March 1, 2013. His birth name was McMillen, but he took his stepfather's name of Quesada. He changed it to Thomas Haden Church 'because nobody could spell Quesada or pronounce it.'. June 3, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160603122334/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/240482/WINGS-CHARACTER-STUMBLES-BUT-HES-NOT-STUPID-STAR-SAYS.html?pg=all. dead.
  3. Web site: Thomas Haden Church. TV Guide. September 14, 2010.
  4. Web site: Thomas Haden Church. AllMovie. February 16, 2018.
  5. Web site: Maxine S. Quesada Obituary . . 2022-08-28.
  6. News: Carl Richard McMillen, 71. April 11, 2008. Bonner County Daily Bee. March 1, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20190331231753/https://www.bonnercountydailybee.com/site/obituaries/article_bd8fc3b4-b493-5ceb-b87a-9ac34bdaa8b4.html. March 31, 2019.
  7. News: George A. Quesada. https://archive.today/20130408020003/http://www.dentonrc.com/obituaries-headlines/20120718-george-a.-quesada.ece. dead. April 8, 2013. July 18, 2012. Denton Record-Chronicle. March 1, 2013.
  8. Web site: Naked ambition. May 17, 2008. Pilkington. Ed. May 16, 2008. The Guardian.
  9. Web site: Overheard with Evan Smith . January 12, 2017.
  10. Web site: Thomas Haden Church's choice career. May 17, 2008. Rebecca. Ascher-Walsh. April 10, 2008. Los Angeles Times.
  11. Web site: Spider-Man 3 Interviews: Thomas Haden Church - SuperHeroHype. April 22, 2007. Superherohype.com. August 24, 2017.
  12. Web site: Melody . Macready . January 10, 2021 . Spider-Man: 5 Ways Sandman Was The Best Villain Of The Trilogy (& 5 Ways It Will Always Be Doc Ock) . . February 17, 2022.
  13. News: David . Betancourt . Michael . Cavna . December 20, 2021 . The Top 6 Spider-Man Movie Villains, Ranked . . February 17, 2022.
  14. Web site: 2022-01-03 . Benjamin Bullard . Turns out one of Spider-Man: No Way Home's big bads wasn't needed on the movie set . SYFY Official Site . 2022-01-07.
  15. Web site: Thomas Haden Church vs Joe the Plumber. Funnyordie.com. August 24, 2017.
  16. https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/34965/fearnet-goes-church-zombie-roadkill "FEARnet Goes to Church for Zombie Roadkill"
  17. Web site: Toni Collette, Anna Faris, Thomas Haden Church set to star in UK-US comedy 'The Estate'. Ben. Dalton. December 2, 2021. Screen Daily.
  18. Church's Doctrine: Thomas Haden Church tells us why he loves older women and making out. Goldman. Andrew. Elle . May 23, 2007. August 25, 2014.
  19. Web site: Thomas Haden Church on Filming 'Divorce' in Westchester. 8 January 2018.
  20. Web site: Thomas Haden Church's choice career. 10 April 2008. Los Angeles Times. 24 August 2017. LA Times.
  21. Web site: Spider-Man: No Way Home Reuses Footage From Past Spider-Man Movies. 2021-12-30. Marvel. en.
  22. Web site: Looks Like No Way Home Reused Spider-Man 3 Sandman Scenes. . 26 December 2021 . December 28, 2021.
  23. Web site: 9th Annual Film Awards (2004) – Online Film & Television Association. www.oftaawards.com. en-US. 2018-04-14.
  24. Web site: 11th Annual TV Awards (2006-07) – Online Film & Television Association . www.oftaawards.com. en-US. 2018-04-14.