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William Jackson Harper

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BIO

LCT3: After the Blast. An Emmy nominee, William Jackson Harper was recently seen opposite Paul Rudd in Marvel’s Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and in MGM’s Landscape with Invisible Hand (premiered at Sundance). In 2022, Harper starred in Peacock’s series “The Resort.” In 2021, he starred as Marcus Watkins in HBO Max’s anthology series “Love Life” (also executive produced; Critics’ Choice and NAACP Image award nominations). He recently completed production on the Netflix limited series “A Man in Full” (executive produced by David E. Kelley and Regina King), and the new animated film Jodie (MTV). In 2021, Harper starred in the indie We Broke Up and as Royal in Barry Jenkins’ Emmy nominated Amazon limited series “The Underground Railroad” (Critics’ Choice Award nomination). From 2016-2020, Harper portrayed Chidi in NBC’s award-winning comedy series “The Good Place” (Emmy nomination and two consecutive Critics’ Choice Award nominations). In 2020, Harper narrated the Marvel audio book series Black Panther: Sins of the King. He also starred in the Williamstown Theatre Festival’s Audible presentation of Stacy Osei-Kuffour’s Animals. In 2019, Harper starred in the Focus Features’ Dark Waters (directed by Todd Haynes). Harper also starred in A24’s thriller Midsommar (directed by Ari Aster). His additional feature film credits include Lost Holiday, Paterson, True Story, All Good Things and How to Tell You’re a Douchebag. On TV, Harper co-starred as Xander in the second season of Amazon’s “Jack Ryan.” Additionally, he has made guest appearances on numerous series including “30 Rock,” “The Blacklist,” “Law & Order,” “Law & Order: CI,” “Deadbeat,” “High Maintenance,” “Unforgettable,” the PBS children’s series “The Electric Company,” and the telefilms “The Breaks” and “The Share.” His theater credits include appearing on Broadway in the Tony Award winning play “All the Way,” with Bryan Cranston; his 2018 playwriting debut with the drama Travisville (Ensemble Studio Theatre); Eboni Booth’s Primary Trust (Roundabout); A Family for All Occasions (LAByrinth); Modern Terrorism (Second Stage); TheTotal Bent, Titus Andronicus, Measure for Measure (The Public); Placebo, A Cool Dip in the Barren Saharan Crick (Playwrights Horizons); and Queens Boulevard, Paradise Park (Signature). Harper also has numerous regional theater credits including Ruined, Hamlet, Much Ado About Nothing and Romeo and Juliet.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival Production, 2024
Astrov

[Off-Broadway]
Roundabout Theatre Off-Broadway Premiere Production, 2023
Kenneth

[Off-Broadway]
Lincoln Center Theater Off-Broadway Premiere, 2017
Oliver

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2014
Stokely Carmichael

[Off-Broadway]
Second Stage Theatre Production, 2012
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
World Premiere, 2012
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
Public Theater Production, 2011
Demetrius

Voice of Martius

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2010
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
2009
Simon / Soldier / Miner / Aid Worker

[Off-Broadway]
2008
Benny

[Off-Broadway]
2007
Flower Seller / Doctor 2 / Cabbie 1 / Criminal 1

Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, 2008]
Dance Captain

Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2024 - Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play

William Jackson Harper, Primary Trust

Tony Awards - 2024 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

William Jackson Harper, Uncle Vanya

IT Awards - 2009 - Outstanding Ensemble

William Jackson HarperStomp and Shout (an' Work it All Out)

News


William Jackson Harper Joins THE MORNING SHOW Season 4

William Jackson Harper is the latest name to join the growing cast of Apple TV's The Morning Show. In Season 4, Harper will play the recurring character of Ben, the 'self-assured and innovative' Head of Sports at the network. Earlier this year, he was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance as Astrov in the Broadway revival of Uncle Vanya.
Photos: Inside the Tony Awards Late Night Party at Pebble Bar Hosted by Kelli O'Hara

On Sunday June 16, 2024, Kelli O’Hara and Arian Moayed hosted Late Night at Pebble Bar, an annual Tony Awards Afterparty, for a VIP guestlist of their closest colleagues and partners in the theater industry. Take a look at photos from the night!
Interview: Steve H. Broadnax III & Rashad McPherson Are Getting Ready for Another Juneteenth in Times Square

BroadwayWorld checked in with Director and Writer Steve H. Broadnax III and Music Director Rashad McPherson to get the scoop on what's to come for this fourth annual event!
ILLINOISE, MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, OH, MARY! Take Top Honors At LGBTQ Critics' Dorian Theater Awards

GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics honored ILLINOISE, MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, and OH, MARY! at the Dorian Theater Awards, celebrating the best of Broadway and Off-Broadway for 2023-24.
Video: William Jackson Harper Talks Tony Nomination for UNCLE VANYA

William Jackson Harper stopped by GMA3 on Friday to talk about his role as Astrov in Uncle Vanya, for which he just received his first Tony nomination. Harper has an extensive background in theater, previously appearing on Broadway in the Tony Award-winning play All The Way. Watch the interview now!
Video: William Jackson Harper Says His Nomination Is Icing on the Cake

In this video, Tony nominee William Jackson Harper chats about his shock to be in such company, why his Uncle Vanya cast means so much to him, and so much more.
Interview: Jason Butler Harner Discusses The Big Bend, Apple TV+'s Sugar, and His Love for the Stage

Jason Butler Harner is all over our screens these days. Currently, he is appearing in a newly released independent film called The Big Bend, which follows two couples who attempt to reconnect in the midst of undisclosed struggles that rise to the surface throughout the film. Harner also appears in Sugar, the Apple TV+ series starring Colin Farrell. BroadwayWorld sat down with Harner to talk about his latest film, Sugar's major twist, and his eagerness to return to the stage.
Unpack the Tony Awards History of the 2024 Nominated Revivals

The results of this season's Tony races are still up in the air, but many of this season's nominated revivals have been through awards season before. How did they fare? The past may not always be the best indicator of the future, but accolades of years past provide interesting insight nonetheless. Check out a complete list of who was nominated, in what categories, and most importantly... if they won!
MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG And STEREOPHONIC Lead LGBTQ Critics' Dorian Theater Award Nominations

GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics' 39 theater wing members named their favorites in New York theater for the second annual Dorian Theater Awards, this time toasting the best in Broadway and Off-Broadway for the 2023-2024 season.
Photos: Inside VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA Opening at Lincoln Center Theater

See photos from Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike at Lincoln Center Theater! Learn more about the event!
Eboni Booth's PRIMARY TRUST Wins 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Eboni Booth's Primary Trust has won the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Learn about more of the winners.
Recap Tony Awards Eligibility Decisions of the 2023-24 Season

The Tony Awards Administration Committee has been meeting all year to discuss the eligibility of the 2023-24 Broadway productions all leading up to Tuesdays big announcement... the Tony nominations.
Video: Steve Carell & Company Celebrate Opening Night of UNCLE VANYA

In this video, watch as the cast and creative team of Uncle Vanya celebrate their big opening night at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre.
Review Roundup: Steve Carell Stars In UNCLE VANYA on Broadway

Academy Award-winner Steve Carell makes his Broadway debut in Anton Chekhov’s UNCLE VANYA now playing at The Lincoln Center Theater. Read the reviews!
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld April 24, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is April 24, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Photos: Steve Carell, William Jackson Harper & More in UNCLE VANYA

Get a first look at photos of Uncle Vanya at Lincoln Center Theater. See pictures of the starry cast led by Steve Carell, and learn how to purchase tickets.
WET BRAIN, STEREOPHONIC & More Nominated for 39th Annual Lucille Lortel Awards - See the Full List!

Nominations for the 39th Annual Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway were announced by Amber Iman and George Abud. Check out the full list of nominees!
Lincoln Center Theater Delays First Preview of UNCLE VANYA

Lincoln Center Theater's production of Anton Chekhov’s classic UNCLE VANYA, featuring a new version by Heidi Schreck, directed by Lila Neugebauer, will delay its first preview. Learn more about the production.
Lincoln Center Theater's UNCLE VANYA Will Launch Digital Lottery

Lincoln Center Theater will launch an online ticket lottery for its production of Anton Chekhov’s classic UNCLE VANYA, beginning with its first preview on Tuesday, April 2 at 8pm at the Vivian Beaumont Theater.  Find out how to enter the lottery for Uncle Vanya here!
Video: Go Inside Rehearsals for UNCLE VANYA with Steve Carell, Alison Pill & More

In this video, watch as the full cast and creative team, including Steve Carell, Alison Pill and more tell us all about what this Uncle Vanya will bring to Broadway audiences.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has William Jackson Harper been in?

William Jackson Harper has appeared on Broadway in 2 shows.

How many West End shows has William Jackson Harper been in?

William Jackson Harper has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has William Jackson Harper been nominated for?

Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Primary Trust, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Uncle Vanya and Outstanding Ensemble (IT Awards) for Stomp and Shout (an' Work it All Out).

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Videos