Paul Haggis | |
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 Haggis in 2013 | |
| Born | Paul Edward Haggis (1953-03-10)March 10, 1953 (age 72)[1] London, Ontario, Canada[1] |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1975–present |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 4 |
Paul Edward Haggis (born March 10, 1953) is a Canadian screenwriter, film producer, and director of film and television. He is best known as screenwriter and producer for consecutiveBest Picture Oscar winnersMillion Dollar Baby (2004) andCrash (2005), the latter of which he also directed. Haggis also co-wrote the war filmFlags of Our Fathers (2006) and theJames Bond filmsCasino Royale (2006) andQuantum of Solace (2008). He is the creator of the television seriesDue South (1994–1999) and co-creator ofWalker, Texas Ranger (1993–2001), among others. Haggis is a two-timeAcademy Award winner, two-timeEmmy Award winner, and seven-timeGemini Award winner. He also assisted in the making of "We Are the World 25 for Haiti".
Paul Edward Haggis was born inLondon, Ontario, the son of Mary Yvonne (née Metcalf) andTed Haggis, a World War II veteran and Olympic sprinter in the 1948 Summer Olympics.[2] He was raised as aCatholic, attendingCatholic school and facing confrontations with children from Ontario'sProtestant majority.[3][4] His family had stopped going toMass after finding their parish priest driving a Cadillac, and he considered himself anatheist by early adulthood.[3][4] The Gallery Theatre in London was owned by his parents, and Haggis gained experience in the field through work at the theatre.[5]
Haggis attended St. Thomas More Elementary School.[6] He started secondary school atRidley College in St. Catharines, but began getting into bad behavior by skipping his requiredRoyal Canadian Army Cadets drills, breaking into the prefect's office to erase hisdemerits, and reading the radical magazineRamparts. After a year, Haggis's parents transferred him to a more progressive preparatory school inMuskoka Lakes. Haggis was taught by a producer of theCBC Radio One news programAs It Happens, who allowed him to sit with him as he editedJohn Dean's testimony to theWatergate hearings for broadcast.[3]
After being inspired byAlfred Hitchcock andJean-Luc Godard, Haggis proceeded to study art atH. B. Beal Secondary School.[1] He opened a theater in Toronto to screen films banned by theOntario Board of Censors such asThe Devils andLast Tango in Paris.[3] After viewingMichelangelo Antonioni's 1966 filmBlowup in 1974, he traveled to England with the intent of becoming a fashion photographer.[1] Haggis later returned to Canada to pursue studies in cinematography atFanshawe College.[1] While in London, Ontario, Haggis was converted to theChurch of Scientology. In 1975, Haggis moved to Los Angeles, California, to begin a career in writing in the entertainment industry.[1][5]
Haggis began to work as a writer for television programs, includingDingbat and the Creeps,Richie Rich,Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo,The Love Boat,One Day at a Time,Diff'rent Strokes, andThe Facts of Life.[3][5][7] WithThe Facts of Life, Haggis also gained his first credit as producer.[5] During the 1980s and 1990s, Haggis wrote for television series includingthirtysomething,The Tracey Ullman Show,FM,Due South,L.A. Law, andEZ Streets.[5] He helped to create the television seriesWalker, Texas Ranger;Family Law; andDue South.[5] Haggis served asexecutive producer of the seriesMichael Hayes andFamily Law.[5] In 1999, he signed afirst look deal withColumbia TriStar Television.[8]
He gained recognition in the film industry for his work on the 2004 filmMillion Dollar Baby, whichAllmovie described as a "serious milestone" for the writer/producer, and as "his first high-profile foray into feature film".[5] Haggis had read two stories written by Jerry Boyd, a boxing trainer who wrote under the name ofF.X. Toole.[5] Haggis later acquired the rights to the stories, and developed them into thescreenplay forMillion Dollar Baby.Clint Eastwood directed the film and portrayed the lead character.[5]Million Dollar Baby received fourAcademy Awards including theAcademy Award for Best Picture.[5]
AfterMillion Dollar Baby, Haggis worked on the 2004 filmCrash.[5] Haggis came up with the story for the film on his own, and then wrote and directed the film, which allowed him greater control over his work.[5]Crash was his first experience as director of a major feature film.[5] Highly positive upon release, critical reception ofCrash has since polarized, althoughRoger Ebert called it the best film of 2005.[5]
Crash received Academy Award nominations for Best Picture and Best Director, in addition to four other Academy Award nominations.[5] Haggis received two Academy Awards for the film: Best Picture (as its producer), and Best Writing for his work on the screenplay.[5] WithMillion Dollar Baby and thenCrash, Haggis became the first individual to have written Best Picture Oscar winners in two consecutive years.[9]
Haggis said that he wroteCrash to "bust liberals", arguing that his fellowliberals were not honest with themselves about the nature ofrace andracism because they believed that most racial problems inAmerican society had already been resolved.[10]
He has been a member of theAcademy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in the Writers' Branch since 2005. This allows him to vote on theAcademy Awards.[11]
In 2008, Haggis foundedproduction company Hwy61 Films with producerMichael Nozik, and signed a deal to produce films forUnited Artists.[12] The company is named after the title track ofBob Dylan's 1965 albumHighway 61 Revisited.[13]
Haggis lives inSanta Monica, California.[14] He has three daughters from his first marriage to Diana Gettas and one son from his second marriage toDeborah Rennard.[15] His younger sister, Jo Francis, is afilm editor; they have worked together on several projects.[15][16]
In 2009, Haggis founded the non-profit organizationArtists for Peace and Justice to assist impoverished youth inHaiti.[17][18] In an interview withDan Rather, Haggis mentioned that he is anatheist.[19]
After maintaining active membership in the Church of Scientology for 35 years, Haggis left the organization in October 2009.[20][21][22][23] He was motivated to leave Scientology in reaction to statements made by the San Diego branch of the Church of Scientology in support ofProposition 8, theballot initiative which bannedsame-sex marriage in California.[22]
Haggis wrote toTommy Davis, the Church's spokesman, and requested that he denounce these statements; when Davis remained silent, Haggis responded that "Silence is consent, Tommy. I refuse to consent."[22][23][24] Haggis went on to list other grievances against Scientology, including its policy ofdisconnection, and the smearing of its ex-members through the leaking of their personal details.[22][23]
The Observer comments that: "The decision of[Jason] Beghe and Haggis to quit Scientology appears to have caused the movement its greatest recent PR difficulties, not least because of its dependence on Hollywood figures as both a source of revenue for its most expensive courses and an advertisement for the religion."[25]
In an interview withMovieline, Haggis was asked about similarities between his filmThe Next Three Days and his departure from the Scientology organization; Haggis responded, "I think one's life always parallels art and art parallels life."[26] In February 2011,The New Yorker published a 25,000-word story, "The Apostate", byLawrence Wright, detailing Haggis's allegations about the Church of Scientology. The article ended by quoting Haggis: "My bet is that, within two years, you’re going to read something about me in a scandal that looks like it has nothing to do with the church. ... I was in a cult for thirty-four years. Everyone else could see it. I don't know why I couldn't."[15] Haggis was interviewed as part of a group of ex-Scientologists for the 2015 movieGoing Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief.[27]
In 2017, publicist Haleigh Breest filed a lawsuit against Haggis, alleging that he hadsexually assaulted her after a film premiere in 2013. Haggis denied all allegations and filed a countersuit, claiming Breest intended to bankrupt him by extracting a$9 million settlement. His suit was dismissed.[28]
In 2021, Haggis asked a judge to expedite his civil trial. He said he "cannot continue to pay his legal bills." Haggis requested the judge set a trial "at the earliest practical date." His lawyer, Seth Zuckerman, wrote in the motion that "the defendant is no longer in a position to finance his defence with this matter lingering in advance of trial."[29] Following the initial accusation, three additional women came forward with various accusations of sexual assault and misconduct.[30]
Fellow former Scientology membersLeah Remini andMike Rinder have defended him, suggesting that the Church of Scientology may be involved, an assertion both the accusers and the Church itself deny.[31]
On June 19, 2022, Haggis was arrested inOstuni in southern Italy over allegations ofsexual assault.[32][33] Local law enforcement charged him with aggravated sexual violence and aggravated personal injuries.[33] A judge of the local court ofBrindisi overturned Haggis' house arrest on July 4. On July 29, a three judge panel of the District Court of Lecce unanimously dismissed the charges against Haggis.[34]
On November 10, 2022, a New York jury found Haggis liable for the rape of Breest in a civil suit and ordered him to pay her at least$7.5 million.[35] On November 14, the jury ordered Haggis to pay an additional$2.5 million in punitive damages.[36] On March 9, 2023, Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Sabrina Kraus ordered Haggis to pay an additional$2.8 million in attorney fees and costs. The total judgement in damages and fees Haggis was ordered to pay is$12.8 million. Haggis told the court that the case effectively bankrupted him and claimed he has no ability to pay the verdict or any additional costs and fees.[37]
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Producer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Red Hot | Yes | Yes | No | |
| 2004 | Million Dollar Baby | No | Yes | Yes | |
| Crash | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| 2006 | The Last Kiss | No | Yes | No | |
| Flags of Our Fathers | No | Yes | No | ||
| Casino Royale | No | Yes | No | ||
| 2007 | In the Valley of Elah | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 2008 | Quantum of Solace | No | Yes | No | |
| 2010 | The Next Three Days | Yes | Yes | No | |
| 2013 | Third Person | Yes | Yes | No | |
| 2018 | 5B | Yes | No | Yes | Documentary film; Co-directed withDan Krauss |
Executive producer
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Executive producer | Creator | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | The Return of the Shaggy Dog | No | Yes | No | No | |
| 1987–1988 | thirtysomething | No | Yes | No | No | Also supervising producer |
| 1990 | City | No | No | Yes | Yes | |
| 1990–1991 | You Take the Kids | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 1993–2001 | Walker, Texas Ranger | No | No | No | Yes | |
| 1994–1999 | Due South | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Also unit director |
| 1996–1997 | EZ Streets | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 1997–1998 | Michael Hayes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Also developer |
| 1999–2002 | Family Law | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 2007 | The Black Donnellys | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 2015 | Show Me a Hero | Yes | No | Yes | No | Miniseries |
Acting credit
| Year | Title | Role | Episode |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Entourage | Himself | "Crash and Burn" |
TV movies
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Executive producer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Ghost of a Chance | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 2008 | Speechless | No | Yes | No | Documentary film |
| 2017 | Shelter | No | Yes | Yes |
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 | Co-writer |
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Humanitas Prize | Children's Animation Category | CBS Storybreak: "Zucchini" | Nominated |
| 1988 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Drama Series | thirtysomething | Won |
| Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series | Won | |||
| Humanitas Prize | 60 Minute Category | Won | ||
| 1989 | Writers Guild of America Award | Episodic Drama | Nominated | |
| 1995 | Gemini Award | Best Dramatic Series | Due South | Won |
| Best TV Movie | Due South: Pilot (#1.0) | Won | ||
| Best Writing in a Dramatic Series | Due South | Won | ||
| Best Writing in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series | Due South: Pilot (#1.0) | Nominated | ||
| 1996 | Canada's Choice Award | Due South | Won | |
| Best Dramatic Series | Won | |||
| Best Writing in a Dramatic Series | Due South: "Hawk and a Handsaw" | Won | ||
| Due South: "The Gift of the Wheelman" | Won | |||
| 1997 | Viewers for Quality Television Award | Founder's Award | EZ Streets | Won |
| 2001 | Writers Guild of America Award | Valentine Davies Award | Contributions to industry | Won |
| 2005 | Writers Guild of America Award | Best Adapted Screenplay | Million Dollar Baby | Nominated[39] |
| American Screenwriters Association | Discover Screenwriting Award | Won | ||
| Academy Awards | Best Adapted Screenplay | Nominated | ||
| Black Movie Award | Outstanding Motion Picture | Crash | Won | |
| Deauville American Film Festival | Grand Special Prize | Won | ||
| European Film Award | Screen International Award | Nominated | ||
| Hollywood Film Festival | Directing work | Breakthrough Directing | Won | |
| Las Vegas Film Critics Society Award | Best Screenplay | Crash | Won | |
| Online Film Critics Society Award | Best Screenplay, Adapted | Million Dollar Baby | Nominated | |
| San Diego Film Festival | Discover Screenwriter Award | Life's Work[42] | Won | |
| San Francisco International Film Festival | Kanbar Award | Screenwriting work | Won | |
| Satellite Award | Best Screenplay, Adapted | Million Dollar Baby | Won | |
| Outstanding Screenplay, Original | Crash | Nominated | ||
| Southeastern Film Critics Association Award | Best Screenplay, Original | Won | ||
| USC Scripter Award | USC Scripter Award | Million Dollar Baby | Won | |
| Washington DC Area Film Critics Association Award | Best Screenplay – Original | Crash | Won | |
| 2006 | Writers Guild of America Award | Best Original Screenplay | Won[39] | |
| Academy Awards | Best Picture | Won | ||
| Best Original Screenplay | Won | |||
| Best Director | Nominated | |||
| BAFTA Awards | Best Original Screenplay | Won | ||
| Best Direction | Nominated | |||
| Golden Globe Awards | Best Screenplay | Nominated | ||
| Directors Guild of America Award | Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures | Nominated[39] | ||
| Austin Film Critics Award | Best Director | Won | ||
| Broadcast Film Critics Association Award | Best Writer | Won | ||
| Best Director | Nominated | |||
| Chicago Film Critics Association Award | Best Screenplay | Won | ||
| David di Donatello | Best Foreign Film | Won | ||
| Edgar Award | Best Motion Picture Screenplay | Nominated | ||
| Humanitas Prize | Feature Film Category | Won | ||
| Independent Spirit Award | Best First Feature | Won | ||
| London Critics Circle Film Award | Screenwriter of the Year | Won | ||
| Director of the Year | Nominated | |||
| Online Film Critics Society Award | Best Breakthrough Filmmaker | Won | ||
| Best Screenplay, Original | Nominated | |||
| Producers Guild of America Award | Motion Picture Producer of the Year Award | Nominated | ||
| Robert Award | Best American Film | Nominated | ||
| Satellite Award | Best Screenplay, Adapted | Flags of Our Fathers | Nominated | |
| 2007 | Saturn Award | Best Writing | Casino Royale | Nominated |
| Edgar Award | Best Motion Picture Screenplay | Nominated | ||
| BAFTA Awards | Outstanding British Film | Nominated | ||
| Best Adapted Screenplay | Nominated | |||
| Venice Film Festival | SIGNIS Award | In the Valley of Elah | Won | |
| Golden Lion | Nominated | |||
| Academy Awards | Best Original Screenplay | Letters from Iwo Jima | Nominated | |
| 2008 | David di Donatello | Best Foreign Film | In the Valley of Elah | Nominated |
| 2011 | Zurich Film Festival | A Tribute To... Award | Lifetime Achievement | Won |
| 2015 | Directors Guild of America Awards | Outstanding Directing – Miniseries or Television Film | Show Me a Hero | Nominated[43] |
