- Quit the Church of Scientology in 2009--after 34 years--because he disagreed with the organization about its support of Proposition 8, which outlawed same-sex marriage in California. His public break with the church was profiled in a long piece by Lawrence Wright in the February 14, 2011, issue of "The New Yorker"; the article was unusual in that it shed light on some of the inner workings and controversies of the normally secretive Church of Scientology. In the profile Haggis estimated that he spent more than $100,000 on courses and auditing, and $300,000 on various Scientology initiatives.
- Had a heart attack during the filming of Crash (2004), yet refused to let anyone else finish directing it. He returned to directing 2 weeks after the event.
- On March 5, 2006 became the first person in Oscar history to have written back-to-back best picture winners.
- Produced two Best Picture winners in a row: Million Dollar Baby (2004) and Crash (2004).
- He was originally going to direct Million Dollar Baby (2004). He was in the middle of directing Crash (2004) when Clint Eastwood asked to direct the film after being offered the lead. Haggis agreed.
- Studied cinematography at London's Fanshawe College.
- Was nominated for an Oscar for writing three years in a row: 2005, 2006, and 2007.
- The April 7, 2005, issue of Rolling Stone chose him as their breakthrough filmmaker of the year, saying "Crash (2004), Haggis' directorial film debut is already being touted for this year's awards race.".
- Has directed 2 actors in Oscar nominated performances: Matt Dillon (Best Supporting Actor for Crash (2004) and Tommy Lee Jones (Best Lead Actor for In the Valley of Elah (2007)).
- Father of Alissa Sullivan Haggis (Sullivan), Lauren Haggis (Kilvington) and Katy Haggis from his marriage to Diane Christine Gettas.
- He is the son of Edward (Ted) H. Haggis and Mary Yvonne Metcalfe. His mother was a catholic. He has two younger sisters: Kathy and Jo. Children with Diane Gettas (married 1977-1997): Alissa Sullivan (born 1978), Lauren Kilvington and Katy Elizabeth. Son with Deborah Rennard (married 1997-): James (born 1998).
- In March 2003, Razor Magazine made a list of "nonconformists that defy dictates, the iconoclasts that cling to independent thought, the radicals that refuse adherence, that give us pause. They are what legends are made of." Along with Sam Shepard, Julian Schnabel, Baz Luhrmann, Lance Armstrong, Richard Branson, Robert Shapiro, John Irving and Bill Clinton, Razor Magazine named Haggis one of its "25 Mavericks of our time.".
- Moved to Los Angeles at age 22.
- Father of actor James Haggis from his marriage to Deborah Rennard.
- He was born exactly 13 years later than Chuck Norris, the star of his hit TV series Walker, Texas Ranger (1993).
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