Ed Harris

Edward Allen Harris, born on November 28, 1950, is a distinguished American actor and filmmaker whose versatile performances have garnered critical acclaim and multiple Academy Award nominations. He has portrayed a wide array of characters in both leading and supporting roles across film and television.


Harris's notable film credits include memorable performances in Apollo 13 (1995), The Truman Show (1998), Pollock (2000), and The Hours (2002), all of which earned him praise from critics and prestigious Academy Award nominations. Additionally, he has showcased his talent in acclaimed movies such as The Right Stuff (1983), The Abyss (1989), Glengarry Glen Ross (1992), A Beautiful Mind (2001), and A History of Violence (2005), among others. Harris has also demonstrated his directorial skills in films like Pollock (2000) and Appaloosa (2008), a Western venture.


In television, Harris has delivered remarkable performances, notably as Miles Roby in the miniseries Empire Falls (2005) and as United States Senator John McCain in the television movie Game Change (2012), the latter earning him a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor. He gained further acclaim for his portrayal of the enigmatic Man in Black in the HBO science fiction-Western series Westworld (2016–2022), which earned him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.
Harris's illustrious career continues to evolve, with upcoming projects including his involvement in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the Disney+ series Wonder Man, showcasing his enduring versatility and talent across various mediums.


Harris was born at Englewood Hospital in Englewood, New Jersey, and grew up in the nearby suburb of Tenafly. He was the son of Margaret and Robert L. "Bob" Harris, with whom he shared his upbringing alongside his older brother, Robert, and younger brother, Paul. Raised in a middle-class Presbyterian household, his parents hailed from Oklahoma.


A standout athlete during his formative years, Harris excelled in sports, particularly football, at Tenafly High School, where he served as the team captain in his senior year. This athletic prowess continued into his collegiate years at Columbia University, where he played varsity football alongside future United States Attorney General Eric Holder. Despite initially feeling disheartened by the atmosphere at Columbia, Harris found solace in acting, prompting his relocation to New Mexico with his family. There, he pursued his newfound passion for theater, eventually enrolling at the University of Oklahoma to study drama.


After honing his skills and gaining recognition through performances in local theaters, such as the Jewel Box Theater in Oklahoma City, Harris ventured to Los Angeles to further his acting career. He enrolled at the California Institute of the Arts, where he dedicated two years to refining his craft, ultimately graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1975. This educational journey laid the foundation for Harris's illustrious career in acting and filmmaking.


In 1983, Harris gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of astronaut John Glenn in The Right Stuff. The following year, he co-starred in Robert Benton's drama film Places in the Heart, where he met and married his wife, Amy Madigan. Additionally, he appeared alongside Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell in the Jonathan Demme-directed World War II biopic Swing Shift.


Continuing his streak of compelling performances, Harris played the role of Charlie Dick, an abusive husband, opposite Jessica Lange's Patsy Cline in the HBO film Sweet Dreams in 1985. His stellar performance earned acclaim from audiences and critics alike. In 1986, he received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Play for his role in George Furth's Precious Sons, alongside winning the Theatre World Award and Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play.


The following year, Harris depicted William Walker, a 19th-century American who declared himself President of Nicaragua, in Walker (1987). He showcased his versatility by portraying Harry Nash in the HBO television thriller film The Last Innocent Man in the same year.
In 1988, Harris delivered a captivating performance in Agnieszka Holland's To Kill a Priest, earning critical acclaim for his portrayal of David "Dave" Flannigan in Jacknife, which also earned him his first Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture. Additionally, he starred as Virgil "Bud" Brigman in James Cameron's sci-fi film The Abyss, further solidifying his reputation as a versatile and talented actor.


In 1992, Harris delivered a compelling performance as Dave Moss in the drama film Glengarry Glen Ross, adapted from the play by David Mamet. His portrayal earned him the Valladolid International Film Festival Award for Best Actor, showcasing his talent and versatility. He continued to impress audiences with roles in films such as The Firm (1993) and Needful Things (1993), before taking on the lead role of Kyle Bodine in the neo-noir film China Moon (1994).


In 1995, Harris garnered critical acclaim for his portrayal of Watergate figure E. Howard Hunt in the Oliver Stone biopic Nixon. Additionally, his performance as NASA Apollo Mission Control Director Gene Kranz in Apollo 13 earned him his first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. The following year, Harris served as both star and executive producer for the television adaptation of Riders of the Purple Sage (1996). He also returned to Broadway in 1996, portraying Major Steve Arnold in the Ronald Harwood play Taking Sides.


In 1998, Harris's standout performance in The Truman Show earned him a second nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. His portrayal garnered further recognition, winning him a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture. Throughout these roles, Harris continued to demonstrate his remarkable talent and versatility as an actor, solidifying his status as one of Hollywood's most respected performers.


In 2000, Harris ventured into directing with his debut film, the drama biopic Pollock, in which he also starred as the renowned artist Jackson Pollock. His portrayal earned him his first nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actor, marking his third Oscar nomination overall. To immerse himself in the role, Harris meticulously studied Pollock's techniques, even building a small studio to replicate the painter's methods. Two years later, he received his fourth Academy Award nomination (third in the Best Supporting Actor category) for his performance as Richard Brown in the British-American drama film The Hours.


Between these acclaimed roles, Harris showcased his versatility in various films. He appeared in the biographical drama A Beautiful Mind (2001) and portrayed German sniper Major Erwin König in the war thriller Enemy at the Gates (2001). Harris also lent his talent to television, starring as Miles Roby in the 2005 miniseries Empire Falls, a role that earned him nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award.


In addition to his television work, Harris delivered memorable performances in films such as David Cronenberg's A History of Violence (2005), where he portrayed a vengeful mobster, and the neo-noir mystery Gone Baby Gone (2007), directed by Ben Affleck. He also co-starred as antagonist Mitch Wilkinson in National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007), alongside Nicolas Cage.


In 2008, Harris showcased his multifaceted talents by co-writing, directing, and starring in the western film Appaloosa, alongside Viggo Mortensen. His creative endeavors continued with appearances in independent films like Once Fallen (2010) alongside his wife, Amy Madigan, and the survival drama The Way Back (2010), where his performance garnered critical acclaim, with critics suggesting he deserved further recognition, possibly even a fifth Oscar nomination.

References

1.  "Ed Harris". Inside the Actors Studio. Bravo.
2. a b Barnes, Mike (February 16, 2014). "Bob L. Harris, Father of Actor Ed Harris, Dies at 91". The Hollywood Reporter.
3. ^ Stein, Ruthe (January 9, 2000). "Ed Harris Has the Righteous Stuff, Too: Actor plays a particularly convincing priest in 'The Third Miracle'". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved December 10, 2007.
4. ^ Pearlman, Cindy (February 6, 2000). "Love the sinner: Harris repents for 'money' roles". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved December 10, 2007.
5. ^ Koenenn, Joseph C. (March 16, 1986). "Ed Harris: Inhabiting his characters". Newsday. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
6. ^ Rohan, Virginia (June 18, 2007). "North Jersey-bred and talented too". The Record. Retrieved January 17, 2024. Ed Harris: Class of 1969, Tenafly High School.
7. ^ Stein, Ruthe (March 25, 2001). "They're Ready For Their Close-Ups: Camped out at Oscars, the starstruck wait to sneak a peek". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved May 31, 2007. She's hoping to score a seat near the front and catch the eye of Oscar nominee Ed Harris, who went to Tenafly High School in New Jersey with her mother.