Who is Troy Garity? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Troy O’Donovan Garity Hayden

Age: 50 Years, 50 Year Old Males

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Simone Bent (m. 2007)

father: Tom Hayden

mother: Jane Fonda

siblings: Mary Luana Williams, Vanessa Vadim

Actors American Men

Height: 6'2" (188 cm), 6'2" Males

U.S. State: California

City: Los Angeles

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Childhood & Early Life

Troy Garity was born as Troy O’Donovan Garity Hayden on July 7, 1973 in Los Angeles, California to Jane Fonda and Tom Hayden. While his mother was an Academy award winning actress, his father served as a politician. Troy has an adopted sister, Mary Williams, who is an activist. It were his parents who wanted Troy to carry the surname Garity (name of his paternal grandmother), instead of Hayden.

Since an early age, Troy Garity was interested in acting. Wanting to take it up professionally, he started training himself. His first ever acting class was at Santa Barbara's Laurel Springs Camp for the Arts where he performed commedia dell'arte. Later, he trained himself at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He also became a member of the Academy Repertory Company.

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Career

In 1974, Troy Garity first gave a shot in front of the camera for the documentary film, ‘Introduction to the Enemy’ where he starred as himself. More of a family film, the camera followed his antiwar activist parents as they roamed around Vietnam making inquiries regarding the war’s effects. Interestingly, they did not limit their survey to a particular class and instead took information from people from all walks of life.

After an uncredited role in the film ‘On Golden Pond’ in 1981, Garity played the minor role of a bartender on the television movie ‘The Cherokee Kid’ in 1996 and followed it up with the role of an inter in ‘Conspiracy Theory’.

It was in 2000 that Troy secured himself a place in mainstream cinema. He was seen in the American biographical film ‘Steal This Movie!’ The film was based on the radical figure of the 1960s and founder of Yippies, Abbie Hoffman. Interesting as it may seem to be, in the film, Garity capped the role of his father Tom Hayden. He brought a lot of depth and gave an inside perspective to the character, which no other actor could have done justice to.

After ‘Steal This Movie’, Garity got himself a couple of roles including Simon in ‘Perfume’ and Harvey Pollard in ‘Bandits’. He also guest starred in the television series ‘Rude Awakening’ and in the short films, ‘Solomon Bernstein’s’ and ‘Lather.Rinse.Repeat’.

The 2002 film ‘Barbershop’ proved to be the breakthrough film of his career. A comedy film and the first of the Barbershop series, the film gave a big push to his career. His role play of Isaac Rosenberg was so appreciated that he reprised his role for the second and the third instalment of the series as well.

In 2003, Garity’s big ticket to fame, recognition and stardom came with the television film, Soldier’s Girl’.. The film was amazingly well received and became one of Ten Best Television Programs of the Year. It also earned him nominations for Best Actor category for Golden Globe and Satellite film awards.

In 2007, he was seen playing the role of Harvey in the Danny Boyle/Alex Garland film ‘Sunshine’. Same year, he also appeared as ‘Eichmann’. Next, he played the character of a tormented survivor of a tragic family accident in ‘Lake City’. His other two projects for 2008 include ‘Winged Creatures’ and ‘A Cat’s Tale’.

2009 was a busy year for Garity with three films and a guest appearance in the famed television medical drama ‘House’. His film appearances include ‘My One and Only’, ‘A Day in the Life’ and ‘Cajun’ Babbineaux.

In 2011, he played Agent Edward Kipton in an episode of ‘Hawaii Five-0’. Next, he played a character of John Bianchi in ‘The Playboy Club’ and followed it with a recurring role of Sam Miller in ‘Boss’ which continued until 2013.

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In 2013, he also appeared in neo-noir action crime thriller film, 'Gangster Squad' and in TV series 'Elementary'.

As of 2017, his current project includes reprising his role of Jason in ‘Ballers’, an HBO comedy drama television series running in its third season. He was a part of the series in its first two seasons as well.

Major Works

Though Garity has done a lot of work in both films and television, his best works seems to be the one for ‘Soldier’s Girl’ wherein he capped the role of Barry Witchell. The television film saw the best in Garity come out on screen. His role play was not just appreciated by the judges but critics as well. While the film was counted amongst the top ten television films of the year, it proved to be the highlight of Garity’s career as it helped him gain couple of nomination at prestigious award nights.

Awards & Achievements

Troy Garity’s best role till date has been as Barry Winchell in ‘Soldier's Girl’. The TV film earned him a Golden Globe and Satellite Award nomination for Best Actor in a Miniseries. He also won nomination from Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male.

In 2002, Garity was awarded the Young Hollywood Award for a Standout Performance.

In 1998, Garity was named one of People magazine’s ‘50 Most Beautiful People’.

Personal Life & Legacy

Troy Garity married actress Simone Bent at Columbia University’s St. Paul’s Chapel in August 2007.

Much like his parents, Troy is also an avid activist. He is the founder of the Peace Process Network, an international gang violence prevention coalition. Additionally, he also serves as the chairman of Homies Unidos, a gang violence prevention group in Los Angeles.

Troy Garity Biography