Background
Hawkes was born John Marvin Perkins in Alexandria, Minnesota, the son of Patricia Jeanne (née Olson) and Peter John "Pete" Perkins, a farmer of wheat, corn, hogs, and cattle.
Hawkes was born John Marvin Perkins in Alexandria, Minnesota, the son of Patricia Jeanne (née Olson) and Peter John "Pete" Perkins, a farmer of wheat, corn, hogs, and cattle.
He was raised in a "pastoral, small city.. a midwest Scandinavian community". His first film role was in Future-Kill (1985), credited as John Perkins. He changed his stage name to John Hawkes because there was another actor named John Perkins.
Hawkes played the role of Greg Penticoff in season 1 of 24.
He portrayed Dustin Powers, brother of protagonist Kenny Powers, all four seasons of the Home Box Office series Eastbound & Down, and played Lennon on American Broadcasting Company"s Lost. His other film roles include Maine and You and Everyone We Know, The Perfect Storm, American Gangster, Wristcutters: A Love Story, Martha Marcy May Marlene, and Lincoln.
Hawkes graduated from Jefferson High School and moved to Austin, Texas, where he was a member of the band Meat Joy, with Gretchen Phillips. He was also a member of the musical group King Straggler with fellow actors Rodney Eastman and Brentley Gore.