William Jackson Harper
William Jackson Harper | |
---|---|
College of Santa Fe | |
Occupation(s) | Actor, playwright |
Years active | 2007–present |
William Fitzgerald Harper (born February 8, 1980), known professionally as William Jackson Harper, is an American actor and playwright. He gained acclaim for his role as Chidi Anagonye in the NBC comedy series The Good Place (2016–2020), for which he was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.[1][2]
Harper started his career as a main cast member of
He has starred in the
Early life and education
William Fitzgerald Harper
Career
Harper made his NY stage debut in the 2006 Vital Theatre Company production of Full Bloom, a play about teenagers coming to terms with their sexuality.[9][10] In 2008 he performed in Manhattan Theatre Club's production of Lynn Nottage's play, Ruined, which won the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.[11][12] From 2009 to 2011, he played Danny Rebus in the PBS series The Electric Company.[13] In 2010 he appeared in the Public Theater's mobile unit production of Shakespeare's Measure for Measure,[14] and in 2011 returned for Titus Andronicus, this time at the Anspacher Theater.[15] He starred as Marty Boy in debut of The Total Bent, a musical composed by Stew and Heidi Rodewald, that premiered at The Public Theater in 2012.[16][17] The show was later reworked around Ato Blankson-Wood.[18] Harper made his Broadway debut in 2014 portraying Stokely Carmichael in the Robert Schenkkan play All the Way starring Bryan Cranston as President Lyndon B. Johnson. The play revolved around the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.[19] The production went on to win the Tony Award for Best Play. Harper and Carrie Coon co-starred together in the 2015 Melissa James Gibson play, Placebo at Playwrights Horizon Theater.[20][21][22] Marilyn Stasio of Variety praised him writing, "Harper inhabits the difficult role as comfortably as someone who lives in robe and slippers".[23] The following year he took a supporting role in the Jim Jarmusch drama Paterson (2016) starring Adam Driver.[24]
In 2016, Harper was cast on the
In 2018, Harper's play Travisville had its world premiere at
It was announced in April 2020 that he would narrate the
In 2023 he starred as Kenneth in the Eboni Booth play Primary Trust at the
Personal life
Harper is in a relationship with actress Ali Ahn, who co-starred with him in an outdoor production of Romeo + Juliet in New York in 2012.[49][50]
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2010 | All Good Things | Moynihan's Assistant | |
2012 | That's What She Said | Harry | |
2015 | True Story | Zak Rausch | |
2016 | Paterson | Everett | |
2018 | They Remain | Keith | |
2019 | Lost Holiday | Mark | |
Midsommar | Josh | ||
Dark Waters | James Ross | ||
2020 | David | David | Short film |
The Man in the Woods | Buster Heath | ||
2021 | We Broke Up | Doug | |
2023 | Landscape with Invisible Hand | Mr. Campbell | |
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania | Quaz | ||
TBA | Jodie | Mack Mackenzie | Voice role; in production |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2007 | Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Chayne Danforth | Episode: "Self-made" |
2009 | Great Performances | Melville | Episode: "Harlem in Montmartre: A Paris Jazz Story" |
Mercy | David Green | Episode: "I Believe You Conrad" | |
2009–2011 | The Electric Company | Danny Rebus | 52 episodes |
2010 | Law & Order | Officer Derek Waldron | Episode: "Boy on Fire" |
2011 | 30 Rock | Rioter | Episode: "Plan B" |
2013 | Unforgettable | Andry Fotre aka Arnold | Episode: "Incognito" |
2014 | High Maintenance | Andrew | Episode: "Geiger" |
2015 | Person of Interest | Strobel | Episode: "Control-Alt-Delete" |
The Blacklist | Security | Episode: "Tom Connolly (No. 11)" | |
2016–2020 | The Good Place | Chidi Anagonye | Main cast — 53 episodes |
2016 | Deadbeat | Adam | Episode: "Death List Three" |
2017 | The Breaks | Stephen Jenkins | 3 episodes |
2019 | Jack Ryan | Xander | 2 episodes |
2020–2021 | American Dad! | TV Reporter, General Store Cashier, Nathaniel (voices) | 3 episodes |
2021–2022 | Dogs in Space | Loaf (voice) | 17 episodes |
2021 | The Underground Railroad | Royal | 4 episodes |
Inside Job | Bryan Jacobsen / Bryan Bot (voice) | Episode: "Sex Machina" | |
Love Life | Marcus Watkins | Main role (season 2) | |
Death to 2021 | Zero Fournine | Television special | |
2022 | The Resort
|
Noah | Main cast |
Little Demon | Jimmy (voice) | Episode: "Everybody's Dying for the Weekend" | |
2024 | A Man in Full
|
Wes Jordan | Upcoming miniseries |
Theatre
Year | Title | Role | Venue | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2008 | Ruined | Miner / Soldier | Goodman Theatre, Chicago | [51] |
2009 | New York Center Stage 1 | |||
2011 | Titus Andronicus | Demetrius | The Public Theater | [52] |
2012 | Romeo & Juliet |
Romeo | Shakespeare on the Ground, Greenwich | [53] |
2012 | The Total Bent | Marty Boy | The Public Theatre | [54] |
2013 | All the Way | Stokely Carmichael | American Repertory Theatre , Cambridge |
[55] |
2014 | Neil Simon Theatre, Broadway | [56] | ||
2015 | Placebo | Jonathan | Playwrights Horizons, Off-Broadway | [57] |
2017 | After the Blast | Oliver | The Clair Tow, Lincoln Center | [58] |
2023 | Primary Trust | Kenneth | Laura Pels Theatre, Roundabout Theatre Company | [59] |
2024 | Uncle Vanya | Astrov | Vivian Beaumont Theatre, Lincoln Center |
Awards and nominations
Year | Association | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018 | Critics' Choice Television Award
|
Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series | The Good Place | Nominated | [60] |
2019 | Nominated | [61] | |||
2020 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series | Nominated | [62] | |
2021 | Critics' Choice Television Award
|
Best Supporting Actor in a Movie/Miniseries | The Underground Railroad | Nominated | [63] |
2022 | Best Actor in a Movie/Miniseries | Love Life | Nominated | [64] | |
2023 | Obie Award | Outstanding Performance | Primary Trust | Won | [65] |
2024 | Lucille Lortel Awards | Outstanding Lead Performer in a Play | Pending | [66] | |
2024 | Outer Critics Circle Award |
Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Play | Pending | [67] |
References
- ^ Saclao, Christian (September 26, 2016). "'The Good Place' Actor William Jackson Harper on Playing Kristen Bell's Onscreen Soulmate in the NBC Series". International Business Times. Archived from the original on January 7, 2017. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
- ^ Charles, Marissa (September 19, 2016). "William Jackson Harper on Starring in NBC's 'The Good Place'". Ebony. Archived from the original on January 7, 2017. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
- ^ "We Live Here". Abouttheartist. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ "Travisville". Abouttheartist. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ a b Pape, Allie. "William Jackson Harper on the Other Good Place Character He'd Like to Play". Vulture. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
- Playbill. Archivedfrom the original on July 31, 2017. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
- ^ Jorgenson, Paul (May 28, 2018). "After He Almost Quit Acting, A Garland Native Found Himself in a 'Good Place'". D Magazine. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
- ^ "Alumni". Santa Fe University of Art and Design. Archived from the original on October 4, 2017. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ^ "Full Bloom at the McGinn/Cazale Theatre". New York Theater Guide. October 19, 2017. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ^ "Pulitzer Winner Ruined Extends Through May 17 at MTC". Broadway.com. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ^ Meslow, Scott (January 4, 2018). "The Good Place's William Jackson Harper Had No Idea What He Was Auditioning For". GQ. Archived from the original on January 30, 2018.
- ^ Hetrick, Adam (October 25, 2010). "Public Theater's Mobile Unit Will Bring Shakespeare to New Audiences". Playbill. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ^ Hetrick, Adam (February 24, 2012). "Stew and Heidi Rodewald's The Total Bent Debuts at the Public Feb. 24". Playbill. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ^ "The Total Bent". www.iobdb.com. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ^ "Inside Playbill Gallery". Playbill. Archived from the original on October 3, 2017. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ^ "'Placebo': Theater Review | Hollywood Reporter". www.hollywoodreporter.com. March 16, 2015. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ^ Stasio, Marilyn (March 17, 2015). "Off Broadway Review: 'Placebo' with Carrie Coon". Variety. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ^ "Off Broadway Review: 'Placebo' with Carrie Coon". Variety. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ "William Jackson Harper in Paterson". Yahoo News. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 12, 2016). "'Good Place' NBC Comedy Series Casts William Jackson Harper". Deadline. Archived from the original on May 27, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
- ^ Snierson, Dan (July 12, 2017). "'The Good Place' Star William Jackson Harper Promises 'Acupuncture and Pigs' in Season 2". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 3, 2017. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
- ^ Magee, Ny (September 25, 2016). "'The Good Place' Saved William Jackson Harper From Quitting Hollywood". EURweb. Archived from the original on January 30, 2018.
- ^ Radish, Christina (October 5, 2017). "'The Good Place': William Jackson Harper on That Big Twist and Season 2 Challenges". Collider. Archived from the original on January 30, 2018.
- ^ Perkins, Dennis (January 19, 2017). "The Good Place ends an outstanding first season with its most masterful twist yet". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on January 30, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
- ^ Cleary, Skye (June 21, 2017). "Philosophy on TV: "The Good Place"". American Philosophical Association. Archived from the original on January 31, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
- Lincoln Center Theater. Archivedfrom the original on February 20, 2018. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- from the original on February 20, 2018. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- ^ "The Hollywood Reporter". Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ Rickwald, Bethany (October 18, 2018). "William Jackson Harper on Taking the Sepia Tones out of Civil Rights in 'Travisville'". TheaterMania. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
- ^ "How a Dallas Parking Lot Inspired a Play by William Jackson Harper". Bloomberg.com. December 20, 2018. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ^ "'Midsommar' Film Review – Variety". June 19, 2019. Archived from the original on June 19, 2019.
- ^ Adams, Allen. "'Dark Waters' a low-key legal drama". www.themaineedge.com. Archived from the original on December 23, 2019. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
- ^ "AIRSHIP | 1865". Retrieved September 30, 2021.
- ^ "William Jackson Harper to Narrate 'Marvel's Black Panther: Sins of the King' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. August 19, 2020. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ^ Otterson, Joe (November 5, 2020). "William Jackson Harper to Star in 'Love Life' Season 2 at HBO Max". Variety. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ^ "Greenlit: William Jackson Harper Will Lead the Cast of 'Love Life' Season 2 + More". Backstage.com. November 9, 2020. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ^ "How William Jackson Harper Brought Hope to The Underground Railroad". Vanity Fair. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ "Critics Choice Awards 2022: 'The Power of the Dog,' 'Ted Lasso,' 'Succession' Win Big (Full Winners List)". Variety. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ "William Jackson Harper Cast In 'Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania'". Variety. October 28, 2022.
- ^ "Primary Trust (Off-Broadway, 2023)". Playbill. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ "'Primary Trust' Review: Sipping Mai Tais, Until Bitter Reality Knocks". The New York Times. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ "Steve Carell Making Broadway Debut in 'Uncle Vanya' Opposite Alfred Molina, William Jackson Harper and More". Variety. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ Villareal, Yvonne (October 24, 2021). "William Jackson Harper 'freaked out' he'd never make it. Now he's in a very good place". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
- ^ Gates, Anita (July 6, 2012). "A Classic Love Story, Reimagined". The New York Times. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
- ^ "William Jackson Harper". Ensemble Studio Theatre. Archived from the original on January 30, 2018.
- ^ "Titus Andronicus: Public announces full cast". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ "William Jackson Harper theatre profile". AboutTheArtists.com. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
- ^ "Stew and Heidi Rodewald's The Total Bent Debuts at the Public Feb. 24". Playbill. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ "All The Way, Starring Bryan Cranston as LBJ, Opens at the American Repertory Theater Sept. 19". Playbill. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
- ^ "All the Way (Broadway, 2014)". Playbill. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ "Placebo". Playwrights Horizons. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ "First Look at After the Blast, Starring Cristin Milioti and William Jackson Harper". Playbill. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ "Primary Trust". Roundabout Theatre. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ de Moraes, Lisa; Blyth, Antonia; Hipes, Patrick (January 13, 2019). "Critics' Choice Awards: 'Roma' Wins Best Picture To Lead Night; 'The Americans' & 'Mrs. Maisel' Top TV – The Complete Winners List". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
- ^ Tapley, Kristopher (January 13, 2019). "'Roma,' 'The Americans' and 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' Win Top Critics' Choice Honors". Variety. Archived from the original on January 14, 2019. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
- ^ "2020 Emmy Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. July 29, 2020. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
- ^ "Critics Choice TV Nominations: 'Succession' Leads Field As HBO Edges Netflix". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ "Critics Choice Awards 2022: 'The Power of the Dog,' 'Ted Lasso,' 'Succession' Win Big (Full Winners List)". Variety. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
- ^ "2023 Obie Awards". Obie Awards. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ "Wet Brain Leads 2024 Lucille Lortel Award Nominations; Read the Complete List". Playbill. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
- ^ "Dead Outlaw, Stereophonic Lead 2024 Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations". Theatermania. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
External links
- William Jackson Harper at IMDb
- William Jackson Harper on Twitter