Dawn Laurel-Jones 101

Dawn Laurel-Jones is a American film industry professional, photographer, and polo player best known as the wife of Academy Award-winning actor Tommy Lee Jones.

Here are the key facts at a glance:

But there's a lot more to her story than just being a celebrity spouse.

Dawn built a real career behind the camera — loading film, working as a still photographer, and assisting on major Hollywood productions. She later became one of the best women polo players in the country, according to Tommy Lee Jones himself. And her photography work raised over $401,000 for The Climate Reality Project.

She's a private person, but her life is genuinely fascinating.

Important dawn laurel-jones terms:

When we think of Hollywood power couples, we often think of those who live their lives entirely in the glare of the paparazzi. However, dawn laurel-jones has managed to strike a perfect balance between supporting her high-profile husband and maintaining a deeply personal, creative, and athletic life of her own. Born on April 24, 1964, in the United States, Dawn is currently 60 years old and has spent over three decades contributing to the arts and the environment.

While many know her through the 624 high-resolution photos of her and Tommy Lee Jones on Getty Images, she is much more than a red-carpet fixture. She is a professional photographer with a keen eye for the natural world and a veteran of the film crew trenches. Her background is rooted in the technical side of storytelling, a world where precision and patience are the primary currencies.

According to her IMDbPro Biography, Dawn’s career has seen her wear many hats. Whether she is capturing the perfect still for a movie poster or managing locations for a major production, her work reflects a woman who isn't afraid to get her hands dirty. This "can-do" attitude is likely what makes her such a powerhouse on the polo field and a dedicated advocate for the planet.

Before she was a world-class polo player, dawn laurel-jones was a mainstay in the camera and electrical departments of Hollywood. For those of us who love the magic of the movies, it’s easy to forget that behind every frame is a team of dedicated professionals making sure the lighting is right and the film is loaded.

Dawn’s filmography is impressive, boasting 19 credits in the Camera and Electrical Department, 9 credits as Additional Crew, and 2 in Location Management. Her career began in the late 1980s and early 90s, a time of massive practical effects and blockbuster action. She worked on the gritty, high-octane set of RoboCop 2 (1990) and later contributed to the visual style of Men in Black II (2002) and the intense thriller The Hunted (2003).

Her role often involved being the personal assistant to lead actors or serving as a camera loader—a job that requires immense focus and technical skill. You can see the full breadth of her contributions on her IMDb Credits and Filmography page.

The progression of Dawn’s career is a testament to her versatility. In the early days, she worked as a camera loader on iconic films like Back to the Future Part II. For those unfamiliar with the term, a camera loader is responsible for the physical handling of the film stock, ensuring it’s protected from light and ready for the cinematographer. It’s a high-pressure job; one mistake can ruin a whole day of shooting.

As she gained experience, she moved into more artistic roles. She served as a still photographer on The Homesman (2014), a film directed by and starring her husband. In this role, she was responsible for capturing the "stills" used for marketing and archival purposes. Her transition from the technical side of the camera to the artistic side shows a deep understanding of the visual medium.

If the film industry was her first act, polo and philanthropy have certainly defined her second. dawn laurel-jones didn't grow up in the saddle. In fact, she didn't even know how to ride a horse until about ten years into her relationship with Tommy Lee Jones. However, once she started, she didn't just learn—she excelled.

Tommy Lee Jones famously told The New Yorker that Dawn is "one of the best women polo players in the country." That’s high praise coming from a man who is notoriously serious about the sport. The couple doesn't just play for fun; they are deeply embedded in the polo world. They maintain a 74-acre polo facility in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and a massive cattle ranch in San Saba, Texas. Tommy has even funded two polo teams, complete with professional players and a string of 50 horses.

But it’s not all sports and ranching. Dawn has used her photographic talents to make a significant impact on the world. She is an active supporter of The Climate Reality Project, an organization founded by Al Gore (a close friend of the couple from Tommy's Harvard days).

In 2012, Dawn and Tommy embarked on an expedition to Antarctica with The Climate Reality Project. While there, Dawn used her camera to document the stark beauty and the devastating reality of the melting ice. Her photos weren't just art; they were a call to action.

Upon their return, a selection of these photographs was auctioned in London. The results were staggering:

Tommy Lee Jones told The Independent that her pictures "dramatized" the melting ice in a way that words couldn't. This intersection of art and activism is where dawn laurel-jones truly shines.

The love story of Dawn and Tommy began where many Hollywood romances do: on a movie set. They met in 1995 while working on The Good Old Boys, a TV movie that marked Tommy's directorial debut. Dawn was working as an assistant camera operator, and the spark was immediate.

At the time, Tommy was still married to his second wife, but after his divorce was finalized, he and Dawn began dating. They eventually married on March 19, 2001, in a private ceremony in San Saba, Texas. They have now been married for over 23 years, a lifetime by Hollywood standards.

While they do not have children together, Dawn has been a dedicated stepmother to Tommy’s two children from his previous marriage: Austin Jones (born 1982) and Victoria Jones (born 1991).

The couple met in 1995 on the set of the film The Good Old Boys. Tommy Lee Jones was both the director and the star, while dawn laurel-jones was working behind the scenes as an assistant camera operator. This professional beginning laid the groundwork for a partnership that has lasted decades.

Dawn does not have biological children of her own. However, she is the stepmother to Austin and Victoria Jones. The family is very close, often collaborating on film projects. Austin has worked as a music supervisor, and Victoria has acted in several of her father's films.

The couple leads a bi-continental lifestyle. They spend a significant amount of time on their 150-year-old cattle ranch in San Saba, Texas. When they aren't in Texas, they are often at their 74-acre polo facility in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Tommy has described their ranch life as "a good life" where "everyone is happy."

At Edible L.A., we are all about the stories that connect us to the land, our crafts, and our communities. Whether it’s the rugged lifestyle of a Texas ranch or the high-stakes world of Hollywood production, dawn laurel-jones embodies a spirit of dedication and authenticity that we truly admire.

From her early days loading film on some of the biggest sets in history to her current status as a champion polo player and environmental advocate, Dawn has proven that you can be a partner to a legend while carving out a legendary path of your own. Her work with The Climate Reality Project reminds us all of the importance of protecting our natural world—a mission that resonates deeply with our commitment to supporting local food culture and seasonal living.

If you’re inspired by the ranch-to-table lifestyle or want to learn more about how to support local agriculture here in Los Angeles, be sure to check out our More info about seasonal produce services. Just like the Jones family, we believe that the best life is one lived in harmony with the seasons and the land.