Edward Allen “Ed” Harris (born November 28, 1950) is an American actor, writer, and director, known for his performances in Appaloosa, Radio, The Rock, The Abyss, Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind, A History of Violence, and The Truman Show. Harris has also narrated commercials for The Home Depot and other companies.
He won an Obie for “Fool For Love.”
Educated at Columbia University, New York.
Graduated from Tenafly High School in Tenafly, New Jersey. Other graduates have included Carol Potter and Michael Sorvino.
Daughter Lily Dolores Harris born on 3 May 1993.
He and Amy Madigan were married by a justice of the peace in Waxahachie, Texas, during the filming of Places in the Heart (1984).
His father was a singer with the Fred Waring chorus.
Often called “the thinking woman’s sex symbol”.
To learn how to paint in Jackson Pollock’s style and portray his art in the film Pollock (2000), he had a studio built on his property and spent some time painting and working on Pollock pieces.
Credits acting for helping him get over his shyness as a young man.
Was named one of People Magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful People (2001)
Due to injuries he sustained while filming The Abyss (1989), he was almost unable to accept the role of Frankie Flannery in State of Grace (1990).
Originated the role of “Eddie” in the stage production of “Fool for Love” by Sam Shepard. He later worked with Shepard himself in The Right Stuff (1983) and then Shepard went on to succeed him in the film adaptation of the play.
Was set to star in the Danny Boyle’s firefighter drama “Worcester Cold Storage” with Woody Harrelson, but the project never came to fruition.
In 1973, he moved to California and entered the California Institute of the Arts, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree.
Was nominated for Broadway’s 1986 Tony Award as Best Actor (Play) for “Precious Sons.”
He has a brother living in Norman, Oklahoma – where Ed attended the University of Oklahoma.
Son-in-law of John Madigan.
Has appeared in 3 films based on Stephen King stories: Creepshow (1982), Needful Things (1993) and “The Stand” (1994).
Has three films on the American Film Institute’s 100 Most Inspiring Movies of All Time. They are: A Beautiful Mind (2001) at #93, The Right Stuff (1983) at #19, and Apollo 13 (1995) at #12.
Good friends with Fred Ward.
Received an honorary diploma from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2003.
One of his favorite books is John Steinbeck’s The Grapes Of Wrath.
He says his most embarrassing moment was modeling tuxedos at the Oklahoma State Fair in 1971.
A veteran stage actor, he made his European debut in Ireland in 2006 with Neil LaBute’s Wrecks.
Lives in Malibu, California.
Is a fan of “Father Ted” (1995).
Admitted in a Movieline Interview that he would have loved to play “Jesus Christ” in The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), and “Hannibal Lecter” in The Silence of the Lambs (1991).
