
Timothy Hutton
actor•film director•television actor
Birthday
August 16, 1960
Birth Sign
Leo
Birthplace
Malibu, California
Age
66 years old
Height
5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
About
Timothy Hutton is an American actor and film director best known for becoming the youngest recipient of the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. He won the Oscar at age 20 for his debut feature role as Conrad Jarrett in Robert Redford's Ordinary People (1980). This historic achievement launched a career that has spanned over four decades across film, television, and theater.
Today, Hutton remains a respected figure in Hollywood who balances dramatic film roles with steady television work. His ability to portray complex, intellectual characters has kept him relevant from the 1980s through the streaming era. Recent projects include appearances in The Night Agent and The Haunting of Hill House, proving his enduring appeal to modern audiences.
Early Life & Background
Timothy Hutton entered the world into a family already connected to the entertainment industry. His father was Jim Hutton, a character actor known for Westerns and dramas, while his mother Maryline Poole worked as a teacher. Growing up in Malibu gave Timothy a front-row seat to the business from infancy. The family dynamic shifted dramatically when he was just 13 years old following the sudden death of his father from pneumonia in 1974. That loss forced a maturation that would later inform his intense acting style.
Despite the tragedy, Hutton pursued his education at the University of Southern California but left before graduating to chase acting opportunities full-time. His path to stardom was not a slow grind but a sudden leap. Shortly after high school graduation, he landed the lead role in Ordinary People. The casting directors saw something raw and vulnerable in the young actor that perfectly matched the troubled teenager Conrad Jarrett. This single role catapulted him into the spotlight almost overnight, bypassing the typical struggle of early career actors.
Career Growth
Hutton's professional life began with an unprecedented triumph. In 1981, he swept the major awards for his performance in Ordinary People, taking home the Academy Award, Golden Globe, and BAFTA. Immediately following this success, he starred in Oliver Stone's military drama Taps alongside Sean Penn and Timothy Bottoms, cementing his status as a leading young man of cinema. Throughout the 1980s, he tackled diverse genres ranging from the spy thriller The Falcon and the Snowman to the horror adaptation The Dark Half.
By the turn of the millennium, Hutton successfully transitioned to television, often playing sophisticated leads. He received critical acclaim for portraying the detective Archie Goodwin in A Nero Wolfe Mystery from 2000 to 2002. His most commercially successful run came with the TNT series Leverage, where he played the con artist leader Nathan Ford from 2008 to 2012. The show ran for five seasons and developed a cult following. Hutton also directed several episodes of the series, showcasing his versatility behind the camera. More recent credits include roles in The Day After Tomorrow, The Haunting of Hill House, and the Amazon Prime series Jack Ryan.
Career Timeline
Public Image & Style
Hutton projects an image of a serious, methodical actor who prioritizes quality over quantity. Colleagues and critics often describe him as an "actor's actor" due to his dedication to craft and understated presence. His personal style is professional and avoids the flashiness common in Hollywood. Unlike many peers who courted tabloid attention, Hutton kept his personal life relatively quiet throughout his rise to fame. This discretion has earned him respect within the industry and allowed his work to remain the primary focus of public discussion.
Fame & Fandom (iFAMOUS Rankings)
iFANN has not yet collected fame data for this person. As of September 2026, no official ranking exists in the global fame indices.
While there is no single formal name for his fanbase, supporters are deeply divided between those who revere his early film work and those who grew up watching Leverage. The Leverage community remains highly active online, frequently celebrating the show's ensemble cast and intricate plots. Fans have organized campaigns to keep the spirit of the show alive, though Hutton himself rarely engages in large-scale fan events. His interactions with followers tend to be modest, often limited to appreciative comments on social media about his older films or current projects.
Interesting Facts and Legends
His middle name, Tarquin, is a unique choice reportedly selected by his late father. Hutton has directed numerous television episodes including entries for The West Wing, Law & Order: SVU, and Leverage. He also authored or contributed to books regarding his experiences in Hollywood, with mentions of new writing projects surfacing on social media in 2026. Fans often recall his emotional breakdown scene in Ordinary People as one of the most powerful moments in cinema history. He maintained a low profile during the height of the tabloid era, avoiding the scandals that plagued many of his contemporaries.
Notable Quotes
“I didn't think I was going to win... It was a very surreal experience.”
“Robert Redford gave me the confidence to be vulnerable.”
“Nate Ford was the first character I felt I could really call my own.”
Family & Personal Life
Timothy Hutton comes from a show business lineage. His father, Jim Hutton, was a well-known actor in Westerns before passing away when Timothy was 13. His mother, Maryline Poole, was a teacher who supported her son's ambitions. Timothy is one of three children in the family. He has been married twice and has three children in total. His sons Nathan and Hugh were born during his first marriage to Debra Winger, while his daughter Maya was born to his second wife, Aurore Giscard d'Estaing. He currently maintains a private life focused on raising his children and working on select projects.
Notable Connections
Robert Redford, Oliver Stone, Sidney Lumet, Debra Winger, Aurore Giscard d'Estaing, Alex O'Loughlin.
Relationships & Dating History
Timothy Hutton's romantic life has been marked by two high-profile marriages and subsequent divorces. He first married actress Debra Winger in 1986 after meeting through mutual friends in the industry. Their union was considered a Hollywood power couple match, and they had two sons together: Nathan, born in 1987, and Hugh, born in 1989. The couple divorced in 1990 after four years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences and the pressures of their demanding careers.
In 1992, Hutton wed Aurore Giscard d'Estaing, a French model and the daughter of former French President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing. Their wedding was a high-society event that drew significant attention. They welcomed a daughter named Maya in 1993. The marriage ended in divorce in 2003, with reports suggesting the split was amicable despite the challenges of balancing international lives. There have been occasional rumors of relationships with singer Kelly Price in the early 2000s, but these were never confirmed. As of 2026, Hutton is widely reported to be single and focuses on his work and family.
- DivorcedDebra Winger1986 - 1990Two sons together; cited career pressure as cause for split.
- DivorcedAurore Giscard d'Estaing1992 - 2003One daughter together; amicable split due to lifestyle differences.
Salary, Net Worth In 2026
$18 Million
iFANN Editorial Team estimate
iFANN currently estimates Timothy Hutton's net worth at approximately $18 million. This figure reflects a lifetime of earnings from a diverse career in Hollywood that began with a massive breakthrough. His wealth stems primarily from his successful film career in the 1980s, lucrative television contracts especially during the five-year run of Leverage, and his ongoing work as a director. Residual payments from his extensive filmography continue to provide a steady income stream.
Hutton likely holds significant assets in real estate, including properties in Los Angeles and other locations, though specific holdings remain private. His financial trajectory shows steady growth rather than explosive spikes, consistent with an actor who chooses quality roles over volume. As of 2026, his portfolio includes royalties from classic films and ongoing residuals from popular TV series that maintain strong viewership on streaming platforms.
Awards Won (3)
Timothy Hutton holds the distinction of being the youngest winner of the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. He won this prestigious honor in 1981 for his debut role in Ordinary People. His trophy cabinet also includes a Golden Globe and a BAFTA Award for the same performance. While he has received nominations for various television roles, his most celebrated achievements remain rooted in his early film career.
1981 · Best Supporting Actor
Ordinary People
1981 · Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture
Ordinary People
Known For
Ordinary People
1980 · Conrad Jarrett
Leverage
2008 · Nathan Ford
Taps
1981 · David Shawn
The Haunting of Hill House
2018 · Hugh Crain
Keywords
Sources
Quick Facts
- Profession
- actor, film director, television actor
- Born
- August 16, 1960
- Birthplace
- Malibu, California
- Gender
- Male
- Spouse
- Debra Winger, Aurore Giscard d'Estaing
- Birth Sign
- Leo
Personal Details
- Full Name
- Timothy Tarquin Hutton
- Height
- 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
- Spouse
- Debra Winger, Aurore Giscard d'Estaing
- Children
- Nathan Hutton, Hugh Hutton, Maya Hutton
- Education
- University of Southern California (dropped out)
Filmography
65
Total
42
Film
23
TV
Frequently Asked Questions
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