Renn Hawkey is an American musician, songwriter, music producer, film producer, and occasional actor best known as the synthesizer player for the industrial rock band Deadsy and as the husband of acclaimed actress Vera Farmiga.
His creative life spans rock music, film production, carpentry, and most recently, the formation of a new musical duo with his wife.
A quietly accomplished figure who has operated largely outside the celebrity spotlight despite his proximity to it, Renn Hawkey represents a compelling story of sustained artistic creativity and unconventional career paths.
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Renn McDonnell Hawkey: History · Bio · Photo
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| Wiki Facts & About Data | |
| Full Name: | Renn McDonnell Hawkey |
| Born: | March 29, 1974 |
| Age: | 52 years old |
| Birthplace: | New York City, New York, USA |
| Nationality: | American |
| Occupation: | Musician, Songwriter, Music Producer, Film Producer, Actor |
| Parents: | Penelope "Penny" Sharp Hawkey (mother, advertising executive); William Stevenson "Bill" Hawkey (father, advertising) |
| Siblings: | Adam Hawkey (film colorist), Molly Hawkey (actress), Robin Hawkey, Timothy Hawkey — 5 children total |
| Spouse: | Vera Farmiga (m. September 13, 2008) |
| Children: | Fynn McDonnell Hawkey (b. January 13, 2009); Gytta Lubov Hawkey (b. November 4, 2010) |
Early Life
Renn McDonnell Hawkey was born on March 29, 1974, in New York City, New York, the third of five children born to Penelope “Penny” Sharp Hawkey and William Stevenson “Bill” Hawkey.
Both of his parents worked in advertising, his mother, Penny Hawkey, is particularly notable for having written the iconic Coca-Cola “Hey Kid, Catch!” commercial in 1979, one of the most beloved and remembered television advertisements in American history.
This creative, commercially minded household provided a stimulating environment for five children, at least three of whom would go on to careers in the arts, Renn in music and film production, brother Adam as a film colorist and visual effects professional, and sister Molly as an actress.
Renn grew up in Ossining, New York, in Westchester County, a Hudson Valley community north of New York City. He attended the Hyde School in Maine, a well-regarded preparatory boarding school known for its character-based educational approach. It was at Hyde School that Renn first encountered Elijah Allman (son of Cher and Gregg Allman), a meeting that would prove fateful for his musical career.
Education
Renn Hawkey attended the Hyde School (preparatory boarding school in Maine) where he met Elijah Allman. He subsequently attended Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York, a highly regarded liberal arts college known for its arts-forward curriculum. His education at both institutions reinforced his creative sensibilities and his comfort with unconventional paths.
Career
Deadsy (1995–2007 and 2018–2023)
Renn Hawkey’s most significant musical work came as the synthesizer and keyboard player for the Los Angeles-based industrial rock / glam-goth-synth band Deadsy. The band was formed and fronted by Elijah Blue Allman, who initially recruited Hawkey by sending him a Juno-106 synthesizer and a demo tape made by Allman and drummer Alec Puro. Hawkey accepted, and Deadsy was born. Within Deadsy’s theatrical concept, each member represented a color and an “entity”, Hawkey’s being yellow and science/medicine. He performed under the stage name Dr. Nner and dressed in medical scrubs, consistent with the band’s sci-fi/industrial aesthetic.
In 1999, Deadsy attracted major industry attention when their first gig at The Viper Room in Los Angeles drew members of Limp Bizkit, Orgy, Sugar Ray, and Thirty Seconds to Mars. The band signed to Jonathan Davis’s Elementree Records (a DreamWorks imprint) and released their debut studio album, Commencement, on May 14, 2002. In addition to playing synthesizer, Hawkey also programmed and played guitar on several tracks. The band followed up with Phantasmagore (2006). Deadsy’s signature hit, “The Key to Gramercy Park” (featuring Korn’s Jonathan Davis), was a minor commercial success, with its music video directed by Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit.
Hawkey departed Deadsy in 2007. In November 2018, Deadsy reformed and played a remarkable show at San Quentin State Prison alongside Queens of the Stone Age, a memorable final chapter for the band’s reunion. Hawkey announced his final departure from Deadsy in 2023.
Post-Deadsy Career, Carpentry and Film Production
After leaving Deadsy in 2007, Renn Hawkey made an unconventional career pivot, he became a carpenter, working with wood and building crafts during a period away from the entertainment industry. This interlude between musical careers reflects a personality that prioritizes authentic engagement over continuous celebrity maintenance.
He returned to the entertainment industry as a film producer, with his first producing credit on Higher Ground (2011), the micro-budget Christian drama directed by and starring his wife Vera Farmiga, in which Hawkey served as both music director and producer. In 2015, he took on an acting role as the recurring character Paul Koretsky, a grieving father, in the Carlton Cuse-produced A&E supernatural drama series The Returned, appearing in the first, seventh, and eighth episodes. He also served as executive producer on the documentary Unspoken (2017), which raised awareness about autism.
The Yagas (2024–Present)
In 2024, Renn Hawkey formed the alternative and gothic rock band The Yagas alongside his wife Vera Farmiga, who serves as the band’s lead vocalist. Hawkey serves as keyboardist and producer for the New York-based five-piece ensemble, which also includes drummer Jason Bowman and other collaborators. The band released their debut album Midnight Minuet in 2025, blending elements of jazz, electronic music, and rock. Hawkey produced the record, channeling personal themes of transition and creative collaboration into the project’s sound.
Personal Life
Renn Hawkey met actress Vera Farmiga in 2004 on the set of the television series Touching Evil, introduced by their mutual friend, filmmaker Allen Hughes.
The two began dating and continued their relationship for four years before marrying in a small private ceremony on September 13, 2008. At the time of the wedding, Farmiga was five months pregnant with their first child.
Their son, Fynn McDonnell Hawkey, was born on January 13, 2009, in Rhinebeck, New York. Their daughter, Gytta Lubov Hawkey, was born on November 4, 2010. Fynn’s godfather is actor Freddie Highmore (Vera’s Bates Motel co-star).
The family lives on a farm in the Hudson Valley, New York, where they raise goats, split firewood, and lead a life that Vera has described as grounded and deliberately far from the Hollywood rat race. Through his marriage to Vera, Renn is the brother-in-law of actress Taissa Farmiga.
Net Worth
Renn Hawkey’s estimated net worth is approximately $900,000–$1 million, primarily derived from his music career with Deadsy, film production work, and acting.
His wife Vera Farmiga has a significantly larger net worth estimated at around $10–15 million from her extensive Hollywood acting career.
Discography
| Deadsy (self-titled) | 1996 | Unreleased debut |
| Commencement | 2002 | Elementree/DreamWorks Records |
| Phantasmagore | 2006 | Deadsy album |
| Midnight Minuet | 2025 | The Yagas debut album (producer) |
FAQs
Who is Renn Hawkey?
Renn Hawkey is an American musician, film producer, and occasional actor. He is best known as the synthesizer player for Deadsy and as the husband of actress Vera Farmiga.
How old is Renn Hawkey?
He was born on March 29, 1974, making him 51 years old as of 2025.
Who is Renn Hawkey married to?
He is married to award-winning actress Vera Farmiga. They wed on September 13, 2008.
What band is Renn Hawkey in?
He played synthesizer in Deadsy (1995–2007; 2018–2023) and currently plays in The Yagas alongside his wife Vera Farmiga.
What famous commercial did Renn Hawkey’s mother write?
His mother Penny Hawkey wrote the iconic Coca-Cola “Hey Kid, Catch!” commercial in 1979.
Conclusion
Renn Hawkey’s life story is one of genuine creative eclecticism, a musician who became a carpenter who became a film producer who became a rock band co-founder with his movie-star wife.
His path defies easy categorization, and that is precisely what makes it compelling. From the Deadsy synthesizer to the Hudson Valley farm to The Yagas’ debut album, Hawkey has consistently followed his creative instincts wherever they lead, building a life of quiet purpose and artistic authenticity alongside one of Hollywood’s most respected actresses.
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