Harry Lennix

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Harry Lennix
Harry Lennix by Gage Skidmore.jpg
Lennix at the 2013 San Diego Comic-Con
Born
Harold Joseph Lennix III

(1964-11-16) November 16, 1964 (age 60)
Alma mater Northwestern University
OccupationActor
Years active1983–present
Spouse
Djena Graves
(m. 2009)

Harold 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-starred as Harold Cooper, assistant director of the FBI Counterterrorism Division, on the NBC drama The Blacklist . Lennix also played J'onn J'onzz/Calvin Swanwick/Martian Manhunter in the DC Extended Universe films Man of Steel , Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice , and Zack Snyder's Justice League.

Contents

Early life

The youngest of four siblings, Lennix was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Lillian C. (née Vines), a laundry worker, 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 television film Keep the Faith, Baby (2002) as reverend and Congressman Adam Clayton Powell Jr.; in the film Titus (1999), based on Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus , as Aaron the Moor; and in the ABC television series Commander in Chief . For ten seasons, Lennix co-starred in the role of Harold Cooper, assistant director of the FBI Counterterrorism Division, on the NBC drama The Blacklist (2013-2023).

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 guest voice role in the Legion of Super Heroes episode "Timber Wolf" as the titular character's villainous father Mar Londo, being replaced by Dorian Harewood in the character's later appearance in the episode "Cry Wolf". He also had a recurring role in the sixth season of 24 as 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, Lennix 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]

In 2015, Lennix appeared in Chi-Raq , directed by Spike Lee. Lennix called the film "brave and bold", as it addresses "the violence that’s happening right now in Chicago". [8] Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice in 2016 was Lennix' first appearance in a film directed by Zack Snyder, where he played the character Calvin Swanwick. Lennix made an additional appearance as the same character in Snyder's version of Justice League , released in 2021.

During the Chicago Goodman Theater's 2024-2025 season, he will play the role of Henry Drummond in the Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee play Inherit the Wind. [9]

Personal life

In 2009, Lennix married business executive Djena Graves. [10] [11]

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. [12]

Lennix is Catholic. [13]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1989 The Package Johnny's Field Soldier
1989A Mother's Courage: The Mary Thomas StoryNeroTV Movie
1990 Perry Mason: The Case of the Defiant Daughter Prosecutor Keith Warner
1991 The Five Heartbeats Dresser
1991Victimless CrimesBaker
1992 In the Best Interest of the Children Tim CoffeyTV Movie
1992Bob RobertsFranklin Dockett
1992 Mo' Money Tom DiltonCredited as Harry J. Lennix
1994 Guarding Tess Kenny YoungCredited as Harry J. Lennix
1994 Vanishing Son 2 Andre LaineTV Movie
1994Notes in a Minor KeyTeddyShort
1994 Vanishing Son 4 André LaineTV Movie
1995 Comfortably Numb Hamlin Day
1995 Clockers Bill Walker
1996 Get on the Bus Randall
1997 Chicago Cab Pissed-Off BoyfriendCredited as Harry J. Lennix
1997Too Close to HomeProsecuting AttorneyTV Movie
1997 Friends 'Til the End Prof. GundersonTV Movie
1998 Since You've Been Gone Jordan CardozoTV Movie
1999 The Unspoken Reverend Bob
1999 Titus Aaron
2000 Love & Basketball Nathan Wright
2000The Artist's Journey: Funk BlastThe Guide
2000All or NothingJacksonShort
2000American TempFred CaesarShort
2001Home InvadersHimself
2002PumpkinRobert Meary
2002 Collateral Damage FBI Agent Dray
2002 Keep the Faith, Baby Adam Clayton Powell Jr.TV Movie
2002Don't ExplainLee
2002 Never Get Outta the Boat BrandonCredited as Harry J. Lennix
2003Black ListedKarl BennettShort
2003 The Matrix Reloaded Commander Lock
2003 The Human Stain Mr. Silk
2003 The Matrix Revolutions Lock
2004 Chrystal Kalid
2004 Barbershop 2: Back in Business Quentin Leroux
2004 Suspect Zero Rich Charleton
2004 Ray Joe Adams
2005TrespassDaddyShort
2006Shariff Don't Like ItTom
2007 Stomp the Yard Nate
2007 Resurrecting the Champ Bob Satterfield Jr.
2007 Across the Universe Army Sergaent
2008Fly Like MercuryCoach
2009 State of Play Detective Bell
2009The InterviewDracoShort
2011Hound DogsSkipTV Movie
2012 The Last Fall Ron Davis
2012 H4 King Henry IV
2012 A Beautiful Soul Jeff Freeze
2013 Evidence Ben Tuttle
2013 Man of Steel General Swanwick
2013They Die by DawnSheriff Bass Reeves
2013Sunny and RayRayLenotti
2013Keep PushingStaff Sergeant HooverShort
2014Cruel WillDr. Frances
2014CruDiego Glass
2014The AlgerianSuleyman
2014The Fright Night FilesRonaldTV Movie
2014Stand Down SoldierOfficer Freeman
2015 Justice League: Throne of Atlantis Black Manta Voice role
201572 HoursGod
2015Back to School MomLawrence Riley
2015 Chi-Raq Commissioner Blades
2016 Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Swanwick
2016Macbeth UnhingedBanquo
2016 Timeless Johnson
2016For the Love of ChristmasGod
2016RetributionCaptain Tucker
2016Alternate Universe: A Rescue MissionPrincipal Sheehan
2017NeedlestickRay LeGro
2017Romeo and Juliet in HarlemCapulet
2018That's HarrasmentPoliticianShort
2018Rehabilition of the HillDavidson Livingston
2018 Canal Street DJ Terrance Palmer
2018RevivalPilate
2020Grey StreetsCardinal FordShort
2020 Emperor Frederick Douglas
2020LazarettoSufyanShort
2021 Zack Snyder's Justice League J'onn J'onzz / Martian Manhunter Director's cut of Justice League
2021The Almighty Street TeamCalvin James / Black Aizan
2021A Christmas Together with YouFrank EmoryTV Movie
2022Super TurntMr. Denver
2022Winter BallEddie
2022Curse of the MacbethsBanquo
2022Nothing is ImpossibleRussell Banks
2024Cutting SquaresJohnson / Self
2024Isla MonstroGeneral Dregg
2024GodlessBishop Rolland
TBAL.A. 4ORCEChi-town HarryIn production
TBAEyes in the TreesDr. MurphyIn production
TBAWilliam Shakespeare's MacbethMacbethIn production
TBAThe Price for FreedomThurgood MarshallIn production
TBALove ExtremeDavidIn development
Key
Denotes films that have not yet been released

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1986 Jack and Mike Fraternity BrotherEpisode: "Personal Foul"
1995–96 The Client Daniel HolbrookRecurring cast
1996 The Parent 'Hood Sergeant RutledgeEpisode: "Goodfella"
Murder One David BronsonEpisode: "Chapter Eleven"
1997Mr. ParnellEpisode: "Chapter Ten, Year Two"
ER Dr. Greg FischerSupporting cast (season 3)
Living Single Clayton SimmonsEpisode: "The Best Laid Plans"
1997–98 Diagnosis: Murder Agent Ron WagnerRecurring cast (season 5)
1998 Ally McBeal BallardEpisode: "The Blame Game"
Any Day Now GarrettEpisode: "Unfinished Symphony"
The Practice Attorney Wayland HolmesEpisode: "The Pursuit of Dignity"
1999 Judging Amy Mr. NewmanEpisode: "An Impartial Bias"
JAG Agent John NicholsEpisode: "Contemptuous Words"
St. Michael's CrossingPasternakEpisode: "CBS Pilot Knockin on Heaven's Door"
2002 Girlfriends EarlEpisode: "My Mother, Myself"
2003 The Practice Asst. Attorney General Parker / Attorney Wayland Holmes2 episodes
The Handler DEA HandlerEpisode: "Street Boss"
2004 Century City Attorney AttwellEpisode: "Love and Games"
Second Time Around Dr. OakesEpisode: "For Better or Worse"
2005 House John Henry GilesEpisode: "DNR"
2005–06 Commander in Chief Jim GardnerMain cast
2006 Legion of Super Heroes Mar LondoVoice, episode: "Timber Wolf"
2007 24 Walid Al-RezaniRecurring cast (season 6)
2008 Little Britain USA President of the United StatesRecurring cast
2009–10 Dollhouse Boyd LangtonMain cast
2010 Undercovers Gary BloomEpisode: "Funny Money"
2011 Law & Order: LA Agent BossyEpisode: "Plummer Park"
2012–13 Emily Owens, M.D. Dr. Tim DupreRecurring cast
2013Always NightRoger BanksMiniseries
Quick Draw Sherrif Matt LoveEpisode: "Nicodemus"
2013–23 The Blacklist Harold CooperMain cast
2015The Marriage TourMr. WrightRecurring cast (season 2)
2016–22 Billions Frank Sacker / Franklin SackerRecurring cast
2017 The Blacklist: Redemption Harold CooperEpisode: "Whitehall"
Transformers: Robots in Disguise Cyclonus, Galvatronus (voice)2 episodes
2018–20ConradDon BrewerEpisode: "Hangin' with Conrad" & "Pilot D.O.A"
2018–21 Insecure Marcus WalkerGuest (season 3), recurring cast (season 5)
2022 American Masters Orpheus FisherVoice, episode: "Marian Anderson: The Whole World in Her Hands"
2024 Diarra from Detroit Walter HarleyRecurring role [14]
2024Destination HeavenGod the FatherMiniseries
2024 Young Love Russell YoungVoice, 9 episodes
TBA Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas BoormanVoice [15]

Video games

YearTitleVoice roleNotes
2003 Enter the Matrix Commander Jason LockVoice acting and full-motion video cutscenes
2004 The Matrix Online Voice acting

Radio

YearTitleRoleRef.
2024The Last Days of Cabrini-Green HimselfPodcast series [16]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardsCategoryRecipientOutcome
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, BabyWon
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

  1. "Djena Graves and Harry Lennix III". The New York Times . June 28, 2009.
  2. Herguth, Bob (April 16, 1991). "Harry J. Lennix". Chicago Sun-Times.
  3. Harry J. Lennix Biography (1965?–)
  4. 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 . Archived from the original on September 26, 2013.
  5. "Harry Lennix". SpeakingOfStories.org. Archived from the original on February 14, 2015. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
  6. Dos Santos, Kristin; Jennifer Godwin (April 15, 2008). "Exclusive Pilot Details: Welcome to the Dollhouse!". E! Online. Retrieved April 16, 2008.
  7. 1 2 "Harry Lennix – Andrew E. Freedman Public Relations". www.aefpr.com. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  8. Hughes, Mike (December 3, 2015). "Harry Lennix: 'Chi-Raq' movie stirs his boyhood memories". Lansing State Journal.
  9. https://playbill.com/article/alexander-gemignani-harry-lennix-will-inherit-the-wind-at-the-goodman-ian-barford-helen-hunt-to-explore-betrayal
  10. "Djena Graves and Harry Lennix III". The New York Times . June 26, 2009. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  11. "Djena Graves Lennix: Executive Profile & Biography". www.bloomberg.com. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  12. Slater, Elias (March 30, 2022). "Actor Harry Lennix, National Black Church Initiative, And Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Partner With The Prostate Cancer Foundation To Raise Awareness Of Health Care Disparities". Prostate Cancer Foundation. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  13. Hume, Ashley (October 26, 2022). "'Matrix' star Harry Lennix on how studying to be a priest improved his acting". Fox News.
  14. "Video: BET+ Original Series - "Diarra From Detroit" - Trailer". www.thefutoncritic.com. February 1, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  15. Kelley, Aidan (May 3, 2023). "Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas: Everything We Know So Far About Zack Snyder's Zombie Prequel". Collider.
  16. "The Last Days of Cabrini-Green". Campside Media.