Harry Hamlin
Harry Robinson Hamlin (born October 30, 1951) is an American actor, author, and entrepreneur. He is best known for his roles as Perseus in the 1981 fantasy film Clash of the Titans, a role he reprised in 2007's Santa Monica Studio video game God of War II, and as Michael Kuzak in the legal drama series L.A. Law, for which he received three Golden Globe nominations.[1][2] For his recurring role as Jim Cutler on the AMC drama series Mad Men, Hamlin received a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series.[3]
Harry Hamlin | |
|---|---|
Hamlin at GalaxyCon Raleigh in 2023 | |
| Born | Harry Robinson Hamlin October 30, 1951 Pasadena, California, U.S. |
| Education | University of California, Berkeley Yale University (BA) American Conservatory Theater (MFA) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1976–present |
| Known for | L.A. Law Clash of the Titans Shameless Mad Men |
| Spouses | |
| Partner(s) | Ursula Andress (1979–1983) |
| Children | 3, including Amelia Gray Hamlin |
| Website | harryhamlin |
Early life edit
Hamlin was born October 30, 1951, in Pasadena, California, the son of Bernice (née Robinson), a socialite, and Chauncey Jerome Hamlin, Jr., an aeronautical engineer.[4][5] As a teenager, he attended Flintridge Preparatory School, near Pasadena, and The Hill School, a private boarding school in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, where he played soccer and lacrosse and acted in the school's musicals and plays. He also attended classes at the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts. Hamlin attended University of California, Berkeley, and is an alumnus of the Theta Zeta chapter of the national fraternity Delta Kappa Epsilon, of which he was president in 1972.
Hamlin graduated from Yale University in 1974 with dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in drama and psychology. He then attended the American Conservatory Theater's advanced actor training program, from which he was awarded a Master of Fine Arts degree in acting in 1976.[5] There, Hamlin starred in a production of Equus, attracting the attention of director Stanley Donen.[6]
Career edit
Film and television edit
Hamlin appeared in the 1976 television production of Taming of the Shrew and also had the title role in the 1979 television miniseries Studs Lonigan. He starred in Movie Movie with George C. Scott in 1978, for which he received his first Golden Globe Award nomination.[7] His big-screen break was a starring role in the 1981 Greek mythology fantasy epic Clash of the Titans.[6] Afterwards, his career faltered somewhat[8] with such controversial films as Making Love in 1982 (the first gay themed love story to be produced by a major studio, Twentieth Century Fox)[9] and Blue Skies Again (1983).[10] He returned to television appearing in the miniseries Master of the Game (based on the novel by Sidney Sheldon) in 1984 and Space (based on the novel by James A. Michener) in 1985.
Hamlin appeared on the NBC legal drama series L.A. Law, playing attorney Michael Kuzak. He remained on the series from 1986 to 1991 during which time he was voted People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" in 1987.[10] Hamlin left the series at the end of the fifth season having been nominated three times for Best Actor in a Television Series - Drama by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.[11]
In early 1991 Hamlin appeared in the music video and sang in the choir on the song "Voices That Care" which was made in support of U.S. troops who were stationed in the Middle East and involved in Operation Desert Storm.[12] He then appeared in two 1992 episodes of Batman: The Animated Series, in each episode as a separate character. In the episode "Joker's Wild", Hamlin played the role of Cameron Kaiser, a ruthless businessman who sinks all his money into a casino, then counts on the Joker to destroy it in order to collect on the insurance policy from a reputable company, and in the other episode, "Moon of the Wolf", he provided the voice of Anthony Romulus, a greedy athlete who takes a potion to enhance his skills, only to realize too late that it has transformed him into a werewolf. In 1995, he participated in the documentary film, The Celluloid Closet where he discussed his role in the film Making Love.[13]
In 2001, he starred in the television comedy Bratty Babies, and in 2002 he reprised the role of Michael Kuzak in an L.A. Law reunion television movie.
In 2004, Hamlin began a recurring role on the television series Veronica Mars.[14] He played fading action hero Aaron Echolls, father to central show character Logan Echolls who had a turbulent relationship with him. Hamlin's character states that he (like the real-life Hamlin) was People magazine's 'Sexiest Man Alive' in 1987.[15][16] Aaron's wife, Lynn, was played by Hamlin's real-life wife, Lisa Rinna. Hamlin appeared beginning in the sixth episode of the first season, "Return of the Kane", and made his last appearance in the second season finale, "Not Pictured". In 2006, Hamlin took part in the third season of Dancing with the Stars with Ashly DelGrosso, but was voted off the show in the third week.[17]
In 2009, Hamlin starred in the series Harper's Island as Uncle Marty. He was killed abruptly in the first episode by being cut in half while he dangled from a broken wooden bridge.
In June 2010, Hamlin guest-starred in an episode of Army Wives and then became a recurring cast member.[18]
In June 2010, Hamlin starred in the Hallmark Channel movie You Lucky Dog.
On December 4, 2008, TV Guide reported that Hamlin and Rinna signed a deal to create a reality television series[19] called Harry Loves Lisa that is based around their family life. The series was developed by TV Land and premiered on October 6, 2010.
In 2012, Hamlin began playing Lloyd Lishman, an older lover to Ian Gallagher (Cameron Monaghan) on the US version of Shameless (7 episodes before the end of Season 3).
Hamlin appeared in an adult diaper commercial with his wife during a primetime television program.[20]
Beginning on April 28, 2013, Hamlin appeared in several episodes of season six (1968) of Mad Men as ad executive Jim Cutler after the merger of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce and Cutler Gleason and Chaough. Hamlin was nominated for a 2013 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his appearance in "A Tale of Two Cities".
In 2016, Hamlin was cast in the Epix comedy Graves[21] starring Nick Nolte, and in 2017, Hamlin was cast as Addison Hayes, a mysterious and powerful mastermind whose agenda collides with Swagger, in the USA Network show Shooter.[22]
In 2022, Hamlin was cast as Cortland Mayfair in AMC's Mayfair Witches, based on the gothic supernatural trilogy Lives of the Mayfair Witches by author Anne Rice.[23]
Stage edit
Hamlin made his Broadway debut in 1982 playing Moe Axelrod opposite Frances McDormand in the Broadway revival of Clifford Odets' Awake and Sing!.[24]
An avid Shakespearean actor, Hamlin played the title role in Hamlet at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton, New Jersey, where he would go on to play Faust in Dr. Faustus the following year.[25]
In 1994, Hamlin received a Helen Hayes Award nomination for his portrayal of the title role in Henry V at the prestigious Shakespeare Theater Company in Washington, D.C.[26]
In 1996, Hamlin returned to Broadway as Michael Buchanan in Tennessee Williams' Summer and Smoke at the Roundabout Theater.[27]
Other work edit
In 2010, Hamlin authored Full Frontal Nudity: The Making of an Accidental Actor, published by Scribner, wherein he shares stories of his early life before becoming a film actor. (ISBN 1-4391-6999-3)[28][29]
Entrepreneurship edit
Hamlin is an advocate for fusion power[30] and was an angel investor[31] and co-founder of TAE Technologies,[32][33] formerly known as Tri Alpha Energy. TAE Technologies states that it is in the final stages of the research and development of a clean, non-radioactive fusion power generator.[34]
Hamlin delivered a talk on fusion at the TEDX LA conference in 2016 entitled, "You Don't Have To Be a Rocket Scientist To Be a Futurist!"[35] Hamlin was also a board member of Advanced Physics Corporation.[36][37]
Hamlin was President and CEO of the Belle Gray women's clothing boutiques in Los Angeles.[38] Hamlin launched The Lisa Rinna Collection with Lisa Rinna for QVC in 2012.[39]
Hamlin is also on the Board of Governors of the National Space Society.[40]
Personal life edit
Hamlin was in a relationship with Ursula Andress after meeting on the set of Clash of the Titans in 1979.[41] She gave birth to their son in 1980.[42][43] Although an engagement was announced,[44] the couple never married.[42] In 1983, Hamlin broke up with her.[45]
From 1985 to 1989, he was married to actress Laura Johnson and, between 1991 and 1992, to actress Nicollette Sheridan.[46][47]
Since 1997, Hamlin has been married to Days of Our Lives actress and television host Lisa Rinna after meeting in 1993. They have two daughters born 1998[48] and 2001,[49] who both appeared in the reality shows Harry Loves Lisa and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills with their parents. The couple also starred in the first season of Veronica Mars as Aaron and Lynn Echolls, a married couple. They also starred as a married couple in the 2001 Lifetime movie Sex, Lies & Obsession.
Hamlin's wives have each been prominent prime time soap-opera actresses: Rinna starred on Melrose Place,[50] Sheridan was a regular on Knots Landing, Desperate Housewives, and the Dynasty reboot, and Johnson was a regular on Falcon Crest (on which Andress later made guest appearances).
Filmography edit
Film edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Movie Movie | Joey Popchik | |
| 1981 | Clash of the Titans | Perseus | |
| 1981 | King of the Mountain | Steve | |
| 1982 | Making Love | Bart McGuire | |
| 1983 | Blue Skies Again | Sandy Mendenhall | |
| 1985 | Maxie | Himself | |
| 1993 | Save Me | Jim Stevens | |
| 1993 | Under Investigation | Detective Harry Keaton | |
| 1994 | Ebbtide | Jeff Warren | |
| 1997 | Allie & Me | Dustin Halaburton | |
| 1998 | Frogs for Snakes | Klench | |
| 2001 | Perfume | Hancock | |
| 2002 | Shoot or Be Shot | Jack Yeager | |
| 2002 | Roads to Riches | Dan Smith | |
| 2008 | Strange Wilderness | Sky Pierson | |
| 2015 | Bleeding Heart | Ed | |
| 2015 | The Meddler | TV Dad | |
| 2016 | Director's Cut | Godfrey Winters | |
| 2016 | Rebirth | Gabe | |
| 2016 | The Bronx Bull | Lenny | |
| 2018 | No Alternative | William Harrison | |
| 2023 | 80 for Brady | Dan O'Callahan |
Television films edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Laguna Heat | Tom Shephard | |
| 1989 | Dinner at Eight | Larry Renault | |
| 1990 | Deceptions | Nick Gentry | |
| 1991 | Deadly Intentions... Again? | Charles Raynor | |
| 1992 | Deliver Them from Evil: The Taking of Alta View | Richard Worthington | |
| 1993 | Poisoned by Love: The Kern County Murders | Steve Catlin | Also known as Murder So Sweet |
| 1994 | In the Best of Families: Marriage, Pride & Madness | Fritz Klenner | |
| 1995 | Tom Clancy's 'OP Center' | Paul Hood | |
| 1995 | Her Deadly Rival | Jim Lansford | |
| 1997 | Badge of Betrayal | Sheriff Dave Ward | |
| 1997 | Night Sins | Chief Mitch Holt | |
| 1998 | Like Father, Like Santa | Tyler Madison | |
| 1998 | The Hunted | Doc Kovac | |
| 1998 | Stranger in Town | Jack | |
| 1999 | Silent Predators | Vic Rondelli | |
| 2000 | Quarantine | President Kempers | |
| 2001 | Sex, Lies and Obsession | Cameron Thomas | |
| 2002 | Disappearance | Jim Henley | |
| 2002 | L.A. Law: The Movie | Michael Kuzak | |
| 2010 | You Lucky Dog | Jim Rayborn | |
| 2012 | Christmas High School Reunion | Mr. Taylor | |
| 2012 | Shadow of Fear | Richard Steele |
Television series edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Studs Lonigan | Bill 'Studs' Lonigan | 3 episodes |
| 1984 | Master of the Game | Anthony James 'Tony' Blackwell | 3 episodes |
| 1985 | Space | John Pope | 5 episodes |
| 1986–91 | L.A. Law | Michael Kuzak | 102 episodes |
| 1988 | Favorite Son | Senator Terry Fallon | Episode: "Part One" |
| 1992 | Batman: The Animated Series | Anthony Romulus, Cameron Kaiser | Voice, 2 episodes |
| 1992 | The Legend of Prince Valiant | Sir Lymon | Voice, episode: "The Traitor" |
| 1997 | Ink | Brian | 4 episodes |
| 1997 | The Nanny | Professor Steve | Episode: "Educating Fran" |
| 1998 | The Outer Limits | Ford Maddox | Episode: "Monster' |
| 1999–2000 | Movie Stars | Reese Hardin | 21 episodes |
| 2001 | Touched by an Angel | Liam | Episode: "Winners, Losers & Leftovers" |
| 2004–06 | Veronica Mars | Aaron Echolls | 12 episodes |
| 2005 | Arrested Development | Himself | Episode: "For British Eyes Only" |
| 2007 | Law & Order | Randall Bailey | Episode: "The Family Hour" |
| 2009 | Harper's Island | Uncle Marty Dunn | 2 episodes |
| 2010–11 | Army Wives | Professor Chandler | 8 episodes |
| 2010 | Harry Loves Lisa | Himself | 2 episodes |
| 2011 | Curb Your Enthusiasm | Dino | Episode: "The Smiley Face" |
| 2011 | Franklin & Bash | Rick Paxton | Episode: "Bro-Bono" |
| 2012–14 | Shameless | Lloyd "Ned" Lishman | 8 episodes |
| 2013–14 | Mad Men | Jim Cutler | 15 episodes |
| 2014 | Rush | Dr. Warren Rush | 4 episodes |
| 2014–15 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Chief Charles Patton | 2 episodes |
| 2014–22 | The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills | Himself | Appearing as Lisa Rinna's husband (guest) |
| 2015 | Glee | Walter | 4 episodes |
| 2016 | Mom | Fred Hayes | 2 episodes |
| 2016–17 | Graves | Jonathan Dalton | 5 episodes |
| 2017–18 | Shooter | Addison Hayes | 3 episodes |
| 2017 | Law & Order True Crime | Barry Levin | 2 episodes |
| 2018 | Angie Tribeca | Leonard Scholls | Episode: "Heading to the Legal Beagle" |
| 2021 | Bless the Harts | Rod | Voice, episode: "Hot Tub-Tation" |
| 2021 | The Hot Zone: Anthrax | Tom Brokaw | 2 episodes |
| 2022 | Flowers in the Attic: The Origin | Mr. Winfield | Episode: "Part One: The Marriage" |
| 2023 | Mayfair Witches | Cortland Mayfair | Main role |
Video games edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | God of War II | Perseus (voice) |
Awards and nominations edit
| Year | Association | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Golden Globe Awards | New Star of the Year – Actor | Movie Movie | Nominated |
| 1988 | Best Actor – Television Series Drama | L.A. Law | Nominated | |
| 1989 | Nominated | |||
| 1990 | Nominated | |||
| 2013 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series | Mad Men | Nominated |
References edit
- ^ "Who's a better perseus: harry hamlin or sam worthington?". MTV.
- ^ "Harry Hamlin Signs With Paradigm (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. September 6, 2013. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
- ^ "Emmys 2013: The Complete List of Winners". Time. September 22, 2013. ISSN 0040-781X. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
- ^ Harry Hamlin Biography - Yahoo! Movies October 15, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b "Last of the Great Romantics". people.com.
- ^ a b "Biography for Harry Hamlin". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
- ^ "Winners & Nominees 1979". www.goldenglobes.com. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
- ^ Respers France, Lisa (January 21, 2020). "Harry Hamlin says playing a gay man in a 1982 film hurt his career". CNN. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
- ^ "Harry Hamlin says playing gay man in 1982's Making Love led to 'ruffle' in his movie career". Gay Star News. May 30, 2014. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
- ^ a b "All the Sexiest Man Alive Covers". Retrieved July 20, 2015.
- ^ "Harry Hamlin". www.goldenglobes.com. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
- ^ Hutchings, David. . Archived from the original on April 28, 2016. Retrieved March 8, 2015.April 9, 1984. Retrieved on March 8, 2015.
- ^ Rooney, David (September 11, 1995). "The Celluloid Closet". Variety. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
- ^ . Biography.com. Archived from the original on October 25, 2017. Retrieved June 11, 2017.
- ^ "Harry Hamlin, 1987 - Photos - Look back on People's Sexiest Man Alive through the years". NY Daily News. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
- ^ "Harry Hamlin Biography @ Reality TV World". Reality TV World. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
- ^ "Dancing with the Stars". MovieWeb. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
- ^ "Exclusive: Harry Hamlin to Guest-Star on Army Wives". TVGuide.com.
- ^ Harry Hamlin, Lisa Rinna Snag TV Land Reality Show" TV Guide. December 4, 2008. Retrieved on December 5, 2008.
- ^ "Lisa Rinna, Harry Hamlin join Depend campaign". usatoday.com. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (November 19, 2015). "Harry Hamlin Joins Epix Comedy Series 'Graves' As Recurring". Deadline. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
- ^ Petski, Denise (May 19, 2017). "'Shooter': Harry Hamlin Set To Recur In Season 2 Of USA Drama". Deadline. Retrieved June 11, 2017.
- ^ Campione, Katie (March 24, 2022). "Harry Hamlin Cast as the Patriarch in AMC's Anne Rice Adaptation 'Mayfair Witches'". The Wrap.
- ^ Rich, Frank (March 9, 1984). "Theater: 'awake and Sing!' Revived". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
- ^ Gussow, Mel (November 6, 1982). "Theater: Harry Hamlin in 'hamlet' at Mc Carter". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
- ^ "Harry (Hamlin) Just Wild About Henry (V) In DC | Playbill". Playbill. June 7, 1997. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
- ^ Variety Staff (September 6, 1996). "Summer and Smoke". Variety. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
- ^ "Nonfiction Book Review: Full Frontal Nudity: The Making of an Accidental Actor by Harry Hamlin". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved July 4, 2017.
- ^ "Harry Hamlin: Full Frontal Nudity". The A.V. Club. December 9, 2010. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
- ^ "Mad Men's Harry Hamlin on Tesla, Clean Energy | Fresh Dialogues". www.freshdialogues.com. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
- ^ Connor, Jackie (November 30, 2018). "How a $1,000 Personal Check turned into a Company with a Multibillion-Dollar Valuation". UCI Beall Applied Innovation. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
- ^ McMahon, Jeff. "Energy From Fusion In 'A Couple Years,' CEO Says, Commercialization In Five". Forbes. Retrieved January 16, 2019.
- ^ "YouTube". www.youtube.com. Archived from the original on December 22, 2021. Retrieved January 16, 2019.
- ^ "Rays of Hope: Fringe Fusion Ventures Take Small Steps Toward Energy Leap". NBC News. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
- ^ You Don't Have To Be a Rocket Scientist To Be a Futurist | Harry Hamlin, January 19, 2017, retrieved February 21, 2018
- ^ Kanellos, Michael. "Hollywood, Silicon Valley and Russia Join Forces on Nuclear Fusion". Forbes.March 11, 2013. Retrieved on October 30, 2013.
- ^ "Harry Hamlin Interviewed on Environmentally Safe Fusion Energy Technology". PRNewswire. September 29, 1993. Retrieved on October 30, 2013.
- ^ "Belle Gray Closes Its Doors". www.apparelnews.net. January 11, 2012. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
- ^ "Lisa Rinna Showcases Fashion Line from Iggy Azalea & Nick Young Forever 21 Holiday Collection". ABC News. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
- ^ "Harry Hamlin". National Space Society. August 3, 2017. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
- ^ Hutchings, David. . Archived from the original on April 28, 2016. Retrieved March 8, 2015.April 9, 1984. Retrieved on March 8, 2015.
- ^ a b David Wallace (July 4, 1983). 'I Want to Be with Him,' Says Ursula Andress, but Harry Hamlin Just Wants to Be on His Own. People. Accessed December 14, 2010.
- ^ "Bringing up Baby". People.
- ^ "Ursula to wed after baby is born in May". The Free Lance–Star. The Associated Press. April 28, 1980.
- ^ "Ursula, Hamlin Split". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
- ^ "Friday was 'TV Stars' Divorce Day' in L.A.". The Palm Beach Post, p. 353. September 3, 1989.
- ^ "Show Stoppers". Democrat and Chronicle, p. 91. September 20, 1992.
- ^ "Move Over, Hadids: These Girls Are the Model Sisters Everyone's Talking About". Vogue. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
- ^ Chikhoune, Ryma. "Exclusive: Amelia Gray Hamlin, Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin's Youngest Daughter, Is the Newest Real Housewives Scion to Become a Model". W Magazine. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
- ^ . Biography.com. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
External links edit
- Harry Hamlin at IMDb
- Harry Hamlin at the Internet Broadway Database
- Harry Hamlin on Worldcat (libraries)
- Dancing with the Stars page on Hamlin