Harry Lennix
Harry Joseph Lennix III[1] (born November 16, 1964) is an American actor. He is known for his roles as Terrence "Dresser" Williams in the Robert Townsend film The Five Heartbeats (1991) and as Boyd Langton in the science-fiction series Dollhouse. Lennix co-stars as Harold Cooper, assistant director of the FBI Counterterrorism Division, on the NBC drama The Blacklist. Lennix has also played J'onn J'onzz / Martian Manhunter in the DC Extended Universe films Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Zack Snyder's Justice League and will reprise the role in The Flash.
Harry Lennix | |
|---|---|
Lennix at the 2013 San Diego Comic-Con | |
| Born | Harry Joseph Lennix III November 16, 1964 |
| Alma mater | Northwestern University |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1983–present |
| Spouse | Djena Graves (m. 2009) |
Early life
The youngest of four siblings, Lennix was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Lillian C. (née Vines), a laundress, and Harry Lennix Jr., a machinist.[2][3] His mother was African-American and his father was Creole from Louisiana.[4] Lennix attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary South and Northwestern University, where he majored in Acting and Direction. In his senior year at Northwestern, he was the coordinator of the African-American student organization, For Members Only.[5]
Career
Lennix starred in the Showtime Networks made-for-cable television film Keep the Faith, Baby (2002) as Rev. Adam Clayton Powell Jr., who was a legendary Harlem Congressman from 1944 to 1972; in the filme Titus (1999), based on Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus, as Aaron the Moor; and in the ABC television series Commander in Chief. Lennix currently co-stars as Harold Cooper, assistant director of the FBI Counterterrorism Division, on the NBC drama The Blacklist, which debuted September 23, 2013.
In film, Lennix has had supporting roles such as The Five Heartbeats (1991), Comfortably Numb (1995), Get on the Bus (1996), Love & Basketball (2000), The Matrix series (1999–2004), Ray (2004), Barbershop 2: Back in Business (2004), Stomp the Yard (2007), and State of Play (2009).
In television, he had a recurring role in Diagnosis: Murder as Agent Ron Wagner as well as a voice-over role in the Legion of Super Heroes animated series. He also had a recurring role in the sixth season of 24 as fictional Muslim civil rights activist Walid Al-Rezani. He appeared on the series House M.D. as a paralyzed jazz trumpet player, and in six episodes of ER as Dr. Greg Fischer.[citation needed] He also appeared in the episode "The Blame Game" of the first season of Ally McBeal. He played the parts of Boyd Langton in Joss Whedon's series Dollhouse[6] and U.S. president Barack Obama in the comedy sketch show Little Britain USA.
In 2007, he was an official festival judge at the first annual Noor Iranian Film Festival.
In July 2014, he formed his own production company Exponent Media Group (EMG) along with long time business partner Steve Harris.[7] EMG had a distribution deal with NEHST studios for three of the company's titles Mr. Sophistication, H4 (a street version of William Shakespeare's Henry IV, which he also starred in), and Revival![7]
Personal life
In 2009, Lennix married business executive Djena Graves.[8][9]
Lennix is a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. He was initiated into the fraternity in November 2012 via the Theta Kappa Kappa graduate chapter in Evanston, Illinois.
Lennix is a Catholic.[10] In 2021, he told Page Six that he had studied to become a Catholic priest with the Dominicans:
"(He said) all that theological training was not in vain as it has helped him become a better actor....You have to be able to answer people’s questions,” “The Matrix Reloaded” star told Page Six. “Those questions are sometimes quite profound and require a great deal of thought and preparation to answer.”[11]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | A Mother's Courage: The Mary Thomas Story | Nero | Television film |
| The Package | Johnny's Field Soldier | ||
| 1990 | Perry Mason: The Case of the Defiant Daughter | Prosecutor Keith Warner | Television film |
| 1991 | The Five Heartbeats | Dresser | |
| Victimless Crimes | Baker | ||
| 1992 | Mo' Money | Tom Dilton | |
| In the Best Interest of the Children | Tim Coffey | Television film | |
| Bob Roberts | Franklin Dockett | ||
| 1994 | Guarding Tess | Kenny Young | |
| Notes in a Minor Key | Teddy | Short | |
| Vanishing Son II | Andre Laine | Television film | |
| Vanishing Son IV | Andre Laine | Television film | |
| 1995 | Clockers | Bill Walker | |
| Nothing But the Truth | Det. Vernon Jones | Television film | |
| Comfortably Numb | Hamlin Day | ||
| 1996 | Get on the Bus | Randall | |
| 1997 | Chicago Cab | Pissed-Off Boyfriend | |
| Friends 'Til the End | Prof. Gunderson | Television film | |
| Too Close to Home | Prosecuting Attorney | Television film | |
| 1998 | Since You've Been Gone | Jordan Cardozo | Television film |
| 1999 | The Unspoken | Reverend Bob | |
| Titus | Aaron | ||
| 2000 | Love & Basketball | Nathan Wright | |
| The Artist's Journey: Funk Blast | The Guide | ||
| 2001 | All or Nothing | Jackson | Video |
| American Temp | Fred Caesar | Short | |
| Home Invaders | - | ||
| 2002 | Pumpkin | Robert Meary | |
| Collateral Damage | FBI Agent Dray | ||
| Don't Explain | Lee | ||
| Never Get Outta the Boat | Brandon | ||
| Keep the Faith, Baby | Adam Clayton Powell Jr. | Television film | |
| 2003 | Black Listed | Karl Bennett | |
| The Matrix Reloaded | Commander Lock | ||
| The Human Stain | Mr. Silk | ||
| The Matrix Revolutions | Lock | ||
| 2004 | Chrystal | Kalid | |
| Barbershop 2: Back in Business | Quentin Leroux | ||
| Suspect Zero | Rich Charleton | ||
| Ray | Joe Adams | ||
| 2005 | Trespass | Daddy | Short |
| 2006 | Sharif Don't Like It | Tom | |
| 2007 | Stomp the Yard | Nate | |
| Resurrecting the Champ | Bob Satterfield Jr. | ||
| Across the Universe | Army Sergeant | ||
| 2008 | Fly Like Mercury | Coach | |
| 2009 | State of Play | Detective Bell | |
| The Interview | Draco | Short | |
| 2011 | Hound Dogs | Skip | Television film |
| 2012 | The Last Fall | Ron Davis | |
| H4 | King Henry IV | ||
| A Beautiful Soul | Jeff Freeze | ||
| 2013 | Evidence | Ben Tuttle | |
| Man of Steel | Calvin Swanwick | ||
| Sunny and RayRay | Lenotti | ||
| They Die by Dawn | Sheriff Bass Reeves | ||
| Lorraine | Father | Short | |
| Keep Pushing | Staff Sergeant Hoover | Short | |
| 2014 | Cruel Will | Dr. Frances | |
| Cru | Diego Glass | ||
| Stand Down Soldier | Officer Freeman | ||
| The Algerian | Suleyman | ||
| The Fright Night Files | Ronald | Television film | |
| 2015 | Justice League: Throne of Atlantis | Black Manta | Voice, direct-to-video |
| 72 Hours | God | ||
| Back to School Mom | Lawrence Riley | ||
| Chi-Raq | Commissioner Blades | ||
| 2016 | Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice | Swanwick | |
| Macbeth Unhinged | Banquo | ||
| Timeless | Johnson | ||
| For the Love of Christmas | God | ||
| Alternate Universe: A Rescue Mission | Principal Sheehan | ||
| Retribution | Captain Tucker | ||
| 2017 | Needlestick | Ray LeGro | |
| Romeo and Juliet in Harlem | Capulet | ||
| 2018 | That's Harassment | Politician | Short |
| Rehabilitation of the Hill | Davidson Livingston | ||
| Canal Street | DJ Terrance Palmer | ||
| Revival! | Pilate | ||
| 2020 | Grey Streets | Cardinal Ford | Short |
| Emperor | Frederick Douglass | ||
| Lazaretto | Sufyan | Short | |
| Troubled Waters | Ron Waters | ||
| 2021 | Zack Snyder's Justice League | J'onn J'onzz / Martian Manhunter | Director's cut of Justice League |
| The Almighty Street Team | Calvin Chase/Black Aizan | ||
| The Musical Adventures of Afro Banzai - The Table Read | Dean Harry L. Coltrane/Narrator | Video | |
| Nothing Is Impossible | Russell Banks | ||
| A Christmas Together With You | Frank | Television film | |
| 2022 | Super Turnt | Mr. Denver | |
| Curse of the Macbeths | Banquo | ||
| 2023 | The Flash | J'onn J'onzz / Martian Manhunter | Post-production[12][13][14] |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Jack and Mike | Fraternity Brother | Episode: "Personal Foul" |
| 1995–96 | The Client | Daniel Holbrook | Recurring cast |
| 1996 | The Parent 'Hood | Sergeant Rutledge | Episode: "Goodfella" |
| Murder One | David Bronson | Episode: "Chapter Eleven" | |
| 1997 | Murder One | Mr. Parnell | Episode: "Chapter Ten, Year Two" |
| ER | Dr. Greg Fischer | Supporting cast (season 3) | |
| Living Single | Clayton Simmons | Episode: "The Best Laid Plans" | |
| 1997–98 | Diagnosis: Murder | Agent Ron Wagner | Recurring cast (season 5) |
| 1998 | Ally McBeal | Ballard | Episode: "The Blame Game" |
| Any Day Now | Garrett | Episode: "Unfinished Symphony" | |
| The Practice | Attorney Wayland Holmes | Episode: "The Pursuit of Dignity" | |
| 1999 | Judging Amy | Mr. Newman | Episode: "An Impartial Bias" |
| JAG | Agent John Nichols | Episode: "Contemptuous Words" | |
| St. Michael's Crossing | Pasternak | Episode: "CBS Pilot Knockin on Heaven's Door" | |
| 2002 | Girlfriends | Earl | Episode: "My Mother, Myself" |
| 2003 | The Practice | Asst. Attorney General Parker | Episode: "Final Judgment" |
| The Handler | DEA Handler | Episode: "Street Boss" | |
| 2004 | Century City | Attorney Attwell | Episode: "Love and Games" |
| Second Time Around | Dr. Oakes | Episode: "For Better or Worse" | |
| 2005 | House M.D. | John Henry Giles | Episode: "DNR" |
| 2005–06 | Commander in Chief | Jim Gardner | Main cast |
| 2006 | Legion of Super Heroes | Mar Londo | Voice, episode: "Timber Wolf" |
| 2007 | 24 | Walid Al-Rezani | Recurring cast (season 6) |
| 2008 | Little Britain USA | President of the United States | Recurring cast |
| 2009–10 | Dollhouse | Boyd Langton | Main cast |
| 2010 | Undercovers | Gary Bloom | Episode: "Funny Money" |
| 2011 | Law & Order: LA | Agent Bossy | Episode: "Plummer Park" |
| 2012–13 | Emily Owens, M.D. | Tim Dupre | Recurring cast |
| 2013 | Always Night | Roger Banks | Episode: "12-12-12" |
| Quick Draw | Sherrif Matt Love | Episode: "Nicodemus" | |
| 2013–present | The Blacklist | Harold Cooper | Main cast |
| 2015 | The Marriage Tour | Mr. Wright | Recurring cast (season 2) |
| 2016–22 | Billions | Franklin Sacker / Frank Sacker | Recurring cast |
| 2017 | The Blacklist: Redemption | Harold Cooper | Episode: "Whitehall" |
| Transformers: Robots in Disguise | Cyclonus/Galvatronus (voices) | Episode: "Enemy of My Enemy" & "Freedom Fighters" | |
| 2018–20 | Conrad | Don Brewer | Episode: "Hangin' with Conrad" & "Pilot D.O.A" |
| 2018–21 | Insecure | Marcus Walker | Guest (season 3), recurring cast (season 5) |
| 2022 | American Masters | Orpheus Fisher | Voice, episode: "Marian Anderson: The Whole World in Her Hands" |
| 2023[15][16] | Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas | Boorman | Voice |
Video Games
| Year | Title | Voice role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Enter the Matrix | Commander Jason Lock | Voice acting and full-motion video cutscenes |
| 2004 | The Matrix Online | Commander Jason Lock | Voice acting |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Awards | Category | Recipient | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Satellite Awards | Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture | Titus | Won |
| 2003 | Black Reel Awards | Black Reel Award for Best Actor in a Television Movie/Mini-Series | Keep the Faith, Baby | Won |
| NAACP Image Awards | NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special | Nominated | ||
| Satellite Awards | Satellite Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film | Nominated | ||
| 2006 | NAACP Image Awards | NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series | Commander in Chief | Nominated |
References
- ^ "Djena Graves and Harry Lennix III". The New York Times. June 28, 2009.
- ^ Herguth, Bob (April 16, 1991). "Harry J. Lennix". Chicago Sun-Times.
- ^ Harry J. Lennix Biography (1965?–)
- ^ Harrison, Eric (January 14, 2000). "In Titus, He's the Face of Pure Evil; Movies * Harry J. Lennix's role in Julie Taymor's film should bring him more opportunities—and recognition". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ . SpeakingOfStories.org. Archived from the original on February 14, 2015. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
- ^ Dos Santos, Kristin; Jennifer Godwin (April 15, 2008). "Exclusive Pilot Details: Welcome to the Dollhouse!". E! Online. Retrieved April 16, 2008.
- ^ a b "Harry Lennix – Andrew E. Freedman Public Relations". www.aefpr.com. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
- ^ "Djena Graves and Harry Lennix III". The New York Times. June 26, 2009. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
- ^ "Djena Graves Lennix: Executive Profile & Biography". www.bloomberg.com. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
- ^ Hume, Ashley (October 26, 2022). "'Matrix' star Harry Lennix on how studying to be a priest improved his acting". Fox News.
- ^ Gostin, Nicki (October 7, 2021). "'Blacklist' star Harry Lennix: Studying to be a priest made me a better actor". Page Six.
- ^ Burlingame, Russ (September 3, 2021). "The Flash: Will Martian Manhunter Actor Harry Lennix Appear". ComicBook.
- ^ Tirado, Eduardo (September 4, 2021). "IMDB reveló que Martian Manhunter aparecería en The Flash". GeekMi.
- ^ Gupta, Abheet (February 23, 2022). "The Flash:Zack Snyder's Justice League's Martian Manhunter to Return?". HighOn Cinema!.
- ^ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13334002/
- ^ https://www.filmaffinity.com/us/film868077.html
External links
- Harry Lennix at IMDb
- Harry Lennix at AllMovie
- Harry Lennix at the Internet Off-Broadway Database
- Harry Lennix at the Internet Broadway Database