Scott Haze

Life and career

Haze is an alumnus of the Stella Adler Conservatory and Playhouse West, which was founded by Robert Carnegie and Sanford Meisner. In 2006 Haze envisioned, built and founded The Sherry Theater in the North Hollywood Arts District in California, naming the theater after his mother. Plays penned by Haze have included 2006's Devil's Night and 2011's Angel Asylum, both of which he acted in as well as directed. Haze has appeared in television and films. Haze's breakout performance was in his portrayal of Lester Ballard in the adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's Child of God, directed by James Franco.

After filming Child of God, Haze signed on to direct a documentary about wrestler Leroy Kemp, titled Ghosts & Goblins. The film was produced by Haze and his producing partner Danielle Scheid. In 2012, Haze signed on to play Skeet McGowan, "a conniving drug store clerk" in James Franco's adaptation of William Faulkner's novel As I Lay Dying.

In early 2013, Haze signed with ICM Partners. Haze also shot a cameo in the upcoming Franco film Bukowski, a film looking at the formative years of writer Charles Bukowski. It was announced in May 2013 that As I Lay Dying was selected to participate in the 2013 Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section.

It has been announced that Child of God has been selected in official competition at the 70th Venice International Film Festival (World premiere) and official selection of the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival (North American Premiere). Child of God is also an Official selection of the 51st New York Film Festival and the 2013 Austin Film Festival.

Haze was signed on to direct a film that tells the story of Charles M. Mulli, set to shoot in Kenya (Africa) in late 2013.

On September 5, 2013, Haze was named one of Variety's 10 Actors To Watch For 2013. The list consists of "a diverse group of thesps whom the publication’s editors believe to be on the brink of big things" with the 2013 line up favouring "actors who’ve distinguished themselves on the festival circuit." This comes after Haze reaching huge success on an international scale, with films he starred in being accepted into international film festivals including the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, for As I Lay Dying, and 70th Venice Film Festival, 2013 Toronto International Film Festival, The 51st New York Film Festival and The 2013 Austin Film Festival, for Child of God.

Since its inception 15 years ago, Variety's “10 Actors to Watch” program has become a key showcase celebrating the finest acting talents from all corners of the globe. Past talents that have been spotlighted include Adrien Brody, Melissa Leo, Andrew Garfield, Christoph Waltz, Jennifer Lawrence and Octavia Spencer.

Haze was also awarded the Breakthrough Performer Of The Year at the 2013 Hamptons International Film Festival.

Child of God was officially selected to screen at The Dallas International Film Festival on 9 April 2014 and The San Francisco International Film, on 25 April 2014.

In August 2013, it was announced that Haze had signed on to play the infamous role of Jason Compson IV in Franco’s adaptation of William Faulkner’s novel The Sound and The Fury. The film, which co-stars Franco, Ahna O'Reilly and Tim Blake Nelson, began principal photography in October 2013 in Mississippi.

In September 2013, it was announced that Haze was set to direct an untitled documentary about humanitarian Charles Mulli. Principal photography on the film has begun and is currently shooting in Nairobi, Kenya, and in various locations around Africa.

Haze was named the prestigious New York Times breakthrough performer of summer 2014. He co-starred in the Warner Bros. film Midnight Special (2016), written and directed by Jeff Nichols and starring Michael Shannon, Kirsten Dunst and Joel Edgerton. Principal photography took place in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Child of God

In 2011, Franco announced at the Toronto International Film Festival that he was set to direct an adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's novel Child of God. The film tells the story of Lester Ballard, a dispossessed, violent man whom the narrator describes as "a child of God much like yourself perhaps". Ballard's life is a disastrous attempt to exist outside the social order. Successively deprived of parents and homes and with few other ties, Ballard descends literally and figuratively to the level of a cave dweller as he falls deeper into crime and degradation.

It was officially announced in January 2012 that Haze had signed on to play the lead role of Lester Ballard. Haze reportedly worked on the role for a year prior to filming and actually moving to Sevierville, Tennessee, where the Cormac McCarthy novel is set.

Four months before production on Child of God began, Haze moved to a secluded cabin in the woods of Sevier County, Tennessee, to prepare for the role of Lester Ballard. In this time, Haze went to extreme lengths to prepare for the role, including a diet of only apples and one fish a day, losing 45 lbs. Haze also worked on a specific voice for Ballard, as well as his posture and walk, and many other physical and mental traits. It has been confirmed that some nights during this seclusion from society Haze was sleeping in caves, in the hills of eastern Tennessee.

The only contact Haze had to the outside world was an iPod, which contained Eminem music.

Collaboration with James Franco

Haze and Franco became close friends when they both attended acting school at Playhouse West in Los Angeles.

In 2011, the pair collaborated on Rebel, a multi media art piece Franco created with a series of other filmmakers and artists including art titans Ed Ruscha and Paul McCarthy, Turner Prize winner Douglas Gordon, paint-by-motorcycle artist Aaron Young, fashion photographer Terry Richardson, and filmmaker Harmony Korine. Haze worked with Franco and childhood friend Jim Parrack in the section titled Brad Forever, a documentary piece on actor Brad Renfro.

In September 2011, Franco announced at the Toronto International Film Festival that he was set to direct and adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's novel Child of God, a story of Lester Ballard, "a young man who becomes ostracized from society and falls into a life of crime and sexual depravity while living in a cave in Tennessee." It was officially announced in January 2012 that Haze had signed on to play that lead role of Lester Ballard. Haze reportedly worked on the role of Ballard for a year prior to filming and actually moving to Sevierville, Tennessee, where the Cormac McCarthy novel is set.

In mid 2012, Franco announced he was set to direct an adaptation of William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying. Not long after, it was announced that Haze had also joined the film in the role of Skeet MacGowan, a seedy drug store clerk.

Franco also shot Interior. Leather Bar. at The Sherry Theater, in North Hollywood, which is owned by Haze. The filmed premiered at Sundance Film Festival in January 2013.

Haze also shot a cameo in Franco's upcoming directorial film Bukowski, in early 2013, as Iris Ticket, the owner of a burlesque club.

On June 16, 2014, it was announced that Haze would star in the off-Broadway production of Robert Boswell's The Long Shrift, which will be directed by Franco. The play, which was set to run from July 13 through August 23, will be a production of the Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre. The play centers around "a man (Haze) accused of rape as a teenager who is released from prison nine years later, when he finds his accuser suddenly back in his life."