Renn Hawkey
{{Use American English|date=February 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{short description|American musician and film producer}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Renn Hawkey
| image =
| height = 1.91m
| caption =
| alias = Dr. Nner
| birth_name = Renn McDonnell Hawkey
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1974|3|29}}
| birth_place = {{nowrap|New York City, U.S.}}
| occupation = {{Flat list|
- Musician
- songwriter
- music producer
}}
| years_active = 1995{{endash}}present
| spouse = {{marriage|Vera Farmiga|2008}}
| children = 2
| relatives = Molly Hawkey (sister)
| module = {{Infobox musical artist|embed=yes
| background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
| genre = Industrial rock, industrial metal, electro rock, nu metal, darkwave, alternative metal
| past_member_of = Deadsy
| current_member_of = The Yagas
| instrument = {{Flat list|
- Synthesizer
- keyboards
- guitar
- piano
- cello
}}
}}
}}
Renn McDonnell Hawkey (born March 29, 1974){{cite web|url=https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJZ8-3P9P|title=Person Details for Renn M Hawkey, "United States Public Records, 1970–2009"|website=FamilySearch|accessdate=November 3, 2016}} is an American musician, songwriter, music producer, and occasional actor. He played the synthesizer for the industrial rock band Deadsy, performing on their self-titled debut album (1996) and subsequent releases Commencement (2002) and Phantasmagore (2006).
In 2011, Hawkey served as musical director and producer on his wife Vera Farmiga's directorial debut film Higher Ground, and in 2017, he executive produced the documentary film Unspoken. In 2015, he had a recurring role as Paul Koretsky in the A&E series The Returned.
Since 2024, he has been a member of the metal/rock band The Yagas, alongside his wife. He also produced their debut album Midnight Minuet (2025).{{cite web|last=Dunworth|first=Liberty|url= https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-conjuring-vera-farmiga-to-release-debut-album-with-metal-band-the-yagas-3850477|title=‘The Conjuring’ actor Vera Farmiga to release debut album with metal band The Yagas|date=March 31, 2025|access-date=May 2, 2025|website=NME}}{{cite web|last=Sterdan|first=Darryl|url=https://tinnitist.com/2025/04/25/albums-of-the-week-the-yagas-midnight-minuet/#google_vignette|title= Albums Of The Week: The Yagas - Midnight Minuet|date=April 25, 2025|access-date=May 2, 2025|website=Tinnitist.com}}
Early life
Hawkey was born in New York City, and grew up in Ossining, New York.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/23/magazine/parking-strictly-prohibited.html|title=Parking Strictly Prohibited|website=The New York Times|first=Steve|last=Garbarino|date=September 23, 2001}} He is the third of five children born to Penelope "Penny" (née Sharp), an advertising executive who wrote the Coca-Cola commercial "Hey Kid, Catch!",{{cite web|url=http://www.coca-colacompany.com/stories/what-the-iliad-the-odyssey-and-mean-joe-have-in-common|title=What the Iliad, the Odyssey and 'Mean Joe' Have in Common|website=The Coca-Cola Company|first=George|last=Getschow|date=February 1, 2013}} and William Stevenson "Bill" Hawkey, who also worked in advertising.{{citation needed|date=January 2017}} His parents now own and operate Sundial Farm, a plant nursery in Ossining.{{cite web|url=http://armonk.dailyvoice.com/lifestyle/sundial-farm-takes-gardening-to-new-heights/436267/|title=Sundial Farm Takes Gardening to New Heights|website=Armonk Daily Voice|first=Fenella|last=Pearson|date=August 22, 2011}} Hawkey has four full siblings: Adam, a film compositor and colorist, Robin, a chiropractor, Timothy, a marketing managing director, and Molly, an actress and comedian.{{cite web|url=http://www.btlnews.com/crafts/post-production/image-systems-names-colorist-adam-hawkey-as-strategic-consultant/|title=Image Systems Names Colorist Adam Hawkey as Strategic Consultant|website=Below the Line|date=September 28, 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://laist.com/2007/12/06/laist_interview_78.php|title=LAist Interview: Dr. Robin Hawkey on Chiropractics|website=LAist|first=Sloane|last=Berrent|date=December 6, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171106041707/http://laist.com/2007/12/06/laist_interview_78.php|archive-date=November 6, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hemophilia.org/sites/default/files/event/files/Tim-Hawkey.pdf|title=Area23: Managing Director, Executive Creative Director Tim Hawkey|website=Hemophilia.org|accessdate=December 30, 2016|archive-date=December 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161230160123/https://www.hemophilia.org/sites/default/files/event/files/Tim-Hawkey.pdf|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ejscott.com/ej-podcast-2016-molly-hawkey/|title=EJ Podcast #107 with Molly Hawkey|website=EJScott.com|date=December 26, 2016}} He also has two paternal half-siblings from his father's first marriage: William, a headmaster of The Pennington School, and Elisabeth, a corporate chef.{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2013/10/william_hawkey_prepares_to_take_over_as_headmaster_of_the_pennington_school.html|title=William Hawkey prepares to take over as headmaster of The Pennington School|website=NJ.com|first=Wendy|last=Plump|date=October 5, 2013}}
Hawkey attended the Hyde School in Maine, where he met future bandmate Elijah Blue Allman, and subsequently spent a semester studying at Sarah Lawrence College.{{cite magazine |last=Marburger |first=Lex |date=1 June 1997 |title=Deadsy - Interview. |url=https://lollipopmagazine.com/1997/06/deadsy-interview/ |magazine=Lollipop Magazine |access-date=11 April 2020 }} During his childhood, he played the piano and cello.
Career
=Music=
Hawkey was the third member to join Deadsy after frontman Elijah Blue Allman sent him a Juno-106 synth and a demo tape made by Allman and drummer Alec Puro.{{cite web|url=http://www.last.fm/music/Deadsy/+wiki|title=Deadsy's Biography|website=Last.fm|date=February 1, 2009}} Each member of the band represented a color and "entity", with Hawkey's being yellow and science and medicine, respectively. The members also had their own unique appearance; Hawkey would dress in medical scrubs. On August 1, 1996, Deadsy released their self-titled debut album on the music label Sire Records.{{cite web|url=http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/05.02.02/aural-0218.html|title=Dawn of the Deadsy|website=Metroactive Music|first=Sarah|last=Quelland|date=May 2, 2002}} In 1999, Deadsy received attention from labels and notable musicians, with their first gig at The Viper Room attracting members of Limp Bizkit, Orgy, Sugar Ray, and Thirty Seconds to Mars.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1427938/korn-limp-bizkit-orgy-sugar-ray-come-out-for-deadsy/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109230621/http://www.mtv.com/news/1427938/korn-limp-bizkit-orgy-sugar-ray-come-out-for-deadsy/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 9, 2015|title=Korn, Limp Bizkit, Orgy, Sugar Ray Come Out For Deadsy|website=MTV|first=Tina|last=Johnson|date=December 6, 1999}}
The band's second studio album, Commencement, was released on May 14, 2002, and was their debut record released on a major music label after signing to Jonathan Davis' Elementree Records, a division of DreamWorks Records.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/korns-davis-exhumes-deadsy-20011031|title=Korn's Davis Exhumes Deadsy|magazine=Rolling Stone|first=Andrew|last=Dansby|date=October 31, 2001}}{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-aug-29-wk-nichols29-story.html|title=Blue Man's Group|website=Los Angeles Times|first=Natalie|last=Nichols|date=August 29, 2002|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529162236/http://articles.latimes.com/2002/aug/29/news/wk-nichols29|archive-date=May 29, 2015}} In addition to playing the synthesizer on Commencement, Hawkey also programmed and played guitar on a number of the tracks. The band subsequently released their first music video, for the song "The Key to Gramercy Park", with Davis providing guest vocals on the track and Fred Durst directing.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1453237/deadsy-hold-their-breath-durst-directed-video.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107120904/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1453237/deadsy-hold-their-breath-durst-directed-video.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 7, 2012|title=Deadsy Hold Their Breath For Durst-Directed Video|website=MTV|first=Corey|last=Moss|date=April 3, 2002}} That same year, Deadsy was invited by Korn to join the Family Values Tour, along with Puddle of Mudd, Stone Temple Pilots, and Linkin Park.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/76073/korn-taps-puddle-of-mudd-deadsy-for-tour|title=Korn Taps Puddle Of Mudd, Deadsy For Tour|magazine=Billboard|date=April 18, 2002}}
In 2002, Hawkey also worked with Thirty Seconds to Mars on their self-titled debut album, playing the synthesizer on the song "Capricorn (A Brand New Name)".{{cite AV media notes|title=30 Seconds to Mars|title-link=30 Seconds to Mars (album)|others=Thirty Seconds to Mars|year=2002|type=Booklet|publisher=Immortal Records|id=7243 8 12424 0 7|location=Europe}} Deadsy left DreamWorks in 2004, citing its sale to Interscope Records as one of the reasons.{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/deadsy-confirm-split-with-dreamworks-records/|title=DEADSY Confirm Split With DREAMWORKS RECORDS|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=April 29, 2004}} In 2006, Deadsy was asked to again join Korn and co-headliners Deftones on the Family Values Tour 2006.{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/korn-frontman-i-love-giving-artists-a-chance-to-get-their-stuff-out-there/|title=KORN Frontman: 'I Love Giving Artists A Chance To Get Their Stuff Out There'|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=August 24, 2006|accessdate=September 6, 2011}} The band released their third studio album, Phantasmagore, on August 22, 2006, through Immortal Records. This album would ultimately mark Hawkey's final appearance as part of Deadsy. The band went on hiatus in April 2007, after which Hawkey began a career in carpentry.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/3559459/Vera-Farmiga-rare-breed.html|title=Vera Farmiga: rare breed|quote="Hawkey used to play keyboards for a goth band named Deadsy, but has recently given that up – 'it was too rough-and-tumble a lifestyle, I think' – to become a carpenter."|website=The Daily Telegraph|date=August 30, 2008}} In 2011, Hawkey served as the music director to his wife's directorial debut Higher Ground.{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424053111903596904576514232386704352|title=Saving It By Directing It|website=The Wall Street Journal|first=Rachel|last=Dodes|date=August 19, 2011}}
In November 2018, Deadsy reformed and played a show at the San Quentin State Prison alongside Queens of the Stone Age. Their fourth album named "Subterfugue" was never released and the current status of the band is unknown after Hawkey announced his departure in 2023. {{cite web | url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CrN9eryuFZo/ | title=Instagram }} {{cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Deadsy-to-Perform-at-San-Quentin-State-Prison-With-Queens-of-the-Stone-Age-20181114|title=Deadsy to Perform at San Quentin State Prison With Queens of the Stone Age|website=Broadway World|date=November 14, 2018}}
=Film=
Prior to being a film producer, Hawkey had a cameo role as a musician in the musical comedy film The Singing Detective (2003). As a film producer, Hawkey has worked on the drama film Higher Ground (2011), directed by his wife Vera Farmiga, in which he was also an uncredited and unnamed extra.{{cite web|url=http://www.sfexaminer.com/sanfrancisco/higher-ground-is-vera-farmigas-unexpected-chance-at-the-helm/Content?oid=2180463|title='Higher Ground' is Vera Farmiga's unexpected chance at the helm|website=The San Francisco Examiner|first=Rossiter|last=Drake|date=September 9, 2011|access-date=June 10, 2015|archive-date=January 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150129064257/http://www.sfexaminer.com/sanfrancisco/higher-ground-is-vera-farmigas-unexpected-chance-at-the-helm/Content?oid=2180463|url-status=dead}} In 2015, he appeared in the first, seventh, and eighth episodes of the Carlton Cuse-produced A&E supernatural drama series The Returned in the supporting role of Paul Koretsky, a father grieving the death of his son in a fatal bus crash.{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/people/renn-hawkey/|title=Renn Hawkey: Guest Star - The Returned|website=TV.com|accessdate=June 10, 2015}} He served as an executive producer on the documentary film Unspoken (2017).{{cite web|url=https://www.unspokendoc.com/team/|title=Team – Unspoken Film|website=UnspokenDoc.com|publisher=+ Disruptor Productions. Opendox|accessdate=October 16, 2017}}
Personal life
In 2004, Hawkey began dating actress Vera Farmiga after being introduced by mutual friend Allen Hughes on the set of Touching Evil.{{cite web|url=http://www.emmys.com/news/features/motel-confidential-vera-farmiga|title=Motel Confidential: Vera Farmiga|website=Emmys.com|first=Mark|last=Morrison|date=February 12, 2014}} The couple married in a private ceremony on September 13, 2008, when Farmiga was five months pregnant with their first child.{{cite web|url=http://celebritybabies.people.com/2008/09/03/actress-vera-fa/|title=Vera Farmiga Expecting First Child|website=People|date=September 3, 2008}}{{cite web|url=http://celebritybabies.people.com/2008/11/06/vera-farmiga/|title=Vera Farmiga Expecting a Baby Boy, Shares Due Date|website=People|date=November 6, 2008}} Their son, Fynn McDonnell Hawkey, was born on January 13, 2009, in Rhinebeck, New York.{{cite web|url=http://celebritybabies.people.com/2009/07/07/vera-farmiga-felt-the-pressure-to-bounce-back-after-baby/|title=Vera Farmiga Felt the Pressure to Bounce Back After Baby|website=People|date=July 7, 2009|access-date=January 8, 2015|archive-date=January 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140122223937/http://celebritybabies.people.com/2009/07/07/vera-farmiga-felt-the-pressure-to-bounce-back-after-baby/|url-status=dead}} It was announced in April 2010 that Hawkey and Farmiga were expecting their second child.{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/vera-farmiga-deadsy-rocker-renn-hawkey-expecting-child-article-1.167349|title=Vera Farmiga and former Deadsy rocker Renn Hawkey expecting second child|website=New York Daily News|first=Cristina|last=Everett|date=April 20, 2010}} Farmiga gave birth to a daughter, Gytta Lubov Hawkey, on November 4, 2010.{{cite web|url=http://celebritybabies.people.com/2010/11/11/vera-farmiga-welcomes-daughter-gytta-lubov/|title=Vera Farmiga Welcomes Daughter|website=People|first=Sarah|last=Michaud|date=November 11, 2010|accessdate=November 11, 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20441490,00.html?xid=rss-fullcontent|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015151327/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20441490,00.html?xid=rss-fullcontent|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 15, 2012|title=It's a Girl for Vera Farmiga|website=People|first=Julie|last=Jordan|date=November 11, 2010|accessdate=November 29, 2010}} The family splits their time between homes in New York City and Vancouver.{{cite web|url=http://www.parents.com/blogs/goodyblog/tag/renn-hawkey/|title=Celebrities Raising Families Outside Hollywood|website=Parents.com|date=January 31, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909030936/http://www.parents.com/blogs/goodyblog/tag/renn-hawkey/|archive-date=September 9, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/drama-actress-roundtable-watch-full-706370|title=Drama Actress Roundtable: Watch the Full, Uncensored Conversation With Claire Danes, Julianna Margulies (Video)|website=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Bryn Elise|last=Sandberg|date=May 23, 2014|accessdate=August 26, 2014}}
Discography
{{main|Deadsy#Discography}}
As member of Deadsy:
- Deadsy (1996)
- Commencement (2002)
- Phantasmagore (2006)
As member of The Yagas:
- Midnight Minuet (2025)
Filmography
| class="wikitable" style="margin-right: 0;" |
| rowspan="2" style="width:33px;"| Year
! rowspan="2" style="width:200px;"| Title ! colspan="2"| Functioned as ! rowspan="2"| Role ! rowspan="2"| Type ! rowspan="2"| Notes |
|---|
| style="width:65px;"| Producer
! style="width:65px;"| Actor |
| 2003
| | {{yes}} | Dark's Bass Player | Film | |
| 2011
| {{yes}} | | {{N/A}} | Film | Also music director |
| 2015
| | {{yes}} | Paul Koretsky | TV series | 3 episodes |
| 2017
| Unspoken | {{yes|Executive}} | | {{N/A}} | Documentary | |
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|1463812}}
{{Deadsy}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hawkey, Renn}}
Category:American expatriate musicians in Canada
Category:Film producers from New York (state)
Category:American male guitarists
Category:American male songwriters
Category:American male television actors
Category:American heavy metal keyboardists
Category:American rock keyboardists
Category:Guitarists from New York (state)
Category:Male actors from New York (state)
Category:People from Ossining, New York
Category:Sarah Lawrence College alumni
Category:Songwriters from New York (state)
Category:21st-century American guitarists
Category:21st-century American keyboardists
Category:21st-century American male musicians