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    Timothy Hutton

    Timothy Hutton

    Celebrity

    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

    1980Makes feature film debut as Conrad Jarrett in Ordinary People
    1981Wins Academy Award, Golden Globe, and BAFTA for Ordinary People
    1981Stars in Oliver Stone's Taps
    1983Stars in Sidney Lumet's Daniel
    1985Stars in The Falcon and the Snowman
    1986Marries actress Debra Winger
    1993Stars in The Dark Half
    1996Stars in Beautiful Girls
    2000Begins starring as Archie Goodwin in A Nero Wolfe Mystery
    2004Appears in The Day After Tomorrow
    2008Begins starring as Nathan Ford in Leverage
    2012Leverage concludes its five-season run
    2018Appears in The Haunting of Hill House and Jack Ryan
    2023Guest stars in The Night Agent

    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

    As of 2026:Single

    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

    Won

    1981 · Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture

    Ordinary People

    Won
    View all 9 awards, honours and achievements

    Known For

    Ordinary People

    1980 · Conrad Jarrett

    Leverage

    2008 · Nathan Ford

    Taps

    1981 · David Shawn

    The Haunting of Hill House

    2018 · Hugh Crain

    Keywords

    Timothy HuttonOrdinary PeopleLeverageOscar winnerAmerican actorfilm director

    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

    How old is Timothy Hutton?
    Timothy Hutton was born on August 16, 1960, making him 66 years old as of 2026. His birthday falls under the Leo zodiac sign.
    What movie did Timothy Hutton win an Oscar for?
    He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his debut role in Ordinary People in 1980. He remains the youngest winner in this category.
    Who are Timothy Hutton's ex-wives?
    He was married to actress Debra Winger from 1986 to 1990 and to French model Aurore Giscard d'Estaing from 1992 to 2003.
    Is Timothy Hutton still acting?
    Yes, as of 2026, he continues to take on selective roles in film and television, including recent appearances in streaming series like The Night Agent.
    Does Timothy Hutton have any children?
    Yes, he has three children: two sons named Nathan and Hugh with Debra Winger, and one daughter named Maya with Aurore Giscard d'Estaing.

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