MC Graduate Thomas Hawk Plays Role in "The Help" Movie

Thomas Hawk looked terrific in a nice suit and tie as he drove two of his antique cars as an extra in "The Help."

Shooting movie scenes in the Fondren area of Jackson behind the wheel of his 1957 Chevy Bel-Air and 1962 Oldsmobile Starfire proved to be quite an interesting experience for the 1971 Mississippi College alumnus.

"It was a lot of fun," said Hawk, a graduate of the MC School of Business and a retired United Parcel Service administrator. "I enjoyed it."

Hawk should have a truckload of stories to tell about the new Mississippi movie production when he visits his alma mater during Homecoming on the Clinton campus October 14-16.

But don’t look for the Pearl resident to become a big-time Hollywood actor or land a role with the TV hit series “Dancing with the Stars” anytime soon.

His appearance in the film based on the 2009 best-seller by Mississippian Kathryn Stockett will be brief. He estimates his debut in movie theaters across America will last three or four seconds. In the scenes shot in September, he drove a car behind and ahead of an actress tooling around in a Cadillac convertible.

Filmed largely in the Jackson area and Greenwood, the movie tells the story of African American maids living in Mississippi in the 1960s as the civil rights movement was unfolding.

How did Hawk get discovered and chosen for a part in the $31 million production by DreamWorks Studios?

It turns out that Hawk is a member of the Mississippi Classic Cruisers car club and the movie people needed to show off some old cars to reflect the 1960s era. The car club notified Hawk and he didn’t hesitate.

Rather than let a stranger drive two of the favorite cars he’s collected over the last eight years, Hawk agreed to take the assignment. For his labors, Hawk was paid about $75 daily as an extra. He also received $125 per day for the two cars.

His work driving near the Capri Theater and Brent’s Drugs in Jackson required him to hang around the set for two exhausting twelve-hour days. “It got tedious,” Hawk said of the many repeat performances with the cameras rolling.

“I was doing the same thing 20 times” he said. Still, it was interesting for the MC graduate to see how the movie folks were able to do makeovers of the buildings in Jackson to turn the clock back to the 1960s. “I went to makeup and wardrobe. I had no speaking part.”

A Pearl High football star before coming to Mississippi College, “Giesmo” Hawk brought a little acting experience to the table. He performed in some plays on campus during his student days as a Pearl Pirate. He brought extensive driving experience to the job.

He began driving a tractor trailer early in his career at United Parcel Service before becoming a successful regional administrator with the company. He rose up the UPS ladder for three decades.

Several Mississippi College honors have come his way. The Hawk Family Executive Conference Room at Self Hall, headquarters of the MC School of Business, was named for the Rankin County family in November 2008. Thomas Hawk was the 2006 Alumnus of the Year for the School of Business.

Now add the new movie starring “Zombieland” actress Emma Stone and Viola Davis, who was nominated for an Academy Award in 2009, to Hawk’s growing list of credits.