Paul Haggis

Haggis in 2006, photo by s_bukley/Bigstock.com

Birth Name: Paul Edward Haggis

Place of Birth: London, Ontario, Canada

Date of Birth: March 10, 1953

Ethnicity: English, small amounts of Welsh, Cornish, and Scottish

Paul Haggis is a Canadian director, screenwriter, and producer. He directed the films Red Hot, Crash (2004), In the Valley of Elah, The Next Three Days, and Third Person, and co-directed the documentary film 5B. He co-wrote his first two films, and wrote his next three. The script for Crash won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. He also wrote the films Million Dollar Baby and The Last Kiss (2006), and co-wrote the films Flags of Our Fathers, Casino Royale (2006), and Quantum of Solace. He created the shows City, Due South, and EZ Streets; co-created the shows You Take the Kids, Walker, Texas Ranger; and Family Law; developed the show Michael Hayes; and co-created and co-developded the show The Black Donnellys. He wrote for, and directed episodes of, his You Take the Kids, Due South, EZ Streets, Family Law, and The Black Donnellys, and wrote for Michael Hayes. He also directed the mini-series Show Me a Hero, co-wrote the made-for-tv movie The Return of the Shaggy Dog, wrote for the show Thirtysomething, and co-wrote the video game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.

Paul is the son of Yvonne “Mary” and Edward H. “Ted” Haggis. His father competed as a sprinter in the 1948 Olympics. He has three children with his former wife Diana Gettas; and a son with his former wife, actress, writer, and producer Deborah Rennard.

Paul’s paternal grandfather was Herbert Edward Haggis (the son of John Henry Haggis and Ellen Jane Bawden). Herbert was born in Islington, Lancashire, England. John was the son of Alfred Samuel Haggis and Mary Jane Philpott. Ellen was the daughter of Thomas Whitley/William Badwin/Bawden and Ellen/Eleanor Hodge, who was born in Callington, Cornwall, England.

Paul’s paternal grandmother was Louisa Hopwood (the daughter of Edward Hopwood and Isabella Ramsdale). Louisa was born in Leigh, Lancashire, England. Edward was the son of Philip Hopwood and Francies and/or Ellen, who was born in Ruthin, Denbighshire, Wales. Isabella was the daughter of Robert Ramsdale and Louisa Ann Leonard.

Paul’s maternal grandfather was Frances Thomas Metcalfe (the son of Walter Metcalfe and Catherine Finn). Frances was born in Leyburn, Yorkshire, England. Walter was the son of Joseph Metcalfe and Elizabeth Skelton.

Paul’s maternal grandmother was Gertrude Kilvington (the daughter of Henry Grayson Kilvington and Annie Roger). Gertrude was born in Stockton Forest, Yorkshire, England. Henry was the son of William Kilvington and Hannah. Annie was the daughter of William Roger and Isabella Cook.