Harry Lennix

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

(1964-11-16) November 16, 1964 (age 59)
Alma mater Northwestern University
OccupationActor
Years active1983–present
Spouse
Djena Graves
(m. 2009)

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.

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]

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. [8]

Personal life

In 2009, Lennix married business executive Djena Graves. [9] [10]

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. [11]

Lennix is Catholic. [12]

Filmography

Film

Key
Denotes films that have not yet been released
YearTitleRoleNotes
1989A Mother's Courage: The Mary Thomas StoryNeroTelevision film
The Package Johnny's Field Soldier
1990 Perry Mason: The Case of the Defiant Daughter Prosecutor Keith WarnerTelevision film
1991 The Five Heartbeats Dresser
Victimless CrimesBaker
1992 Mo' Money Tom Dilton
In the Best Interest of the Children Tim CoffeyTelevision film
Bob Roberts Franklin Dockett
1994 Guarding Tess Kenny Young
Notes in a Minor KeyTeddyShort
Vanishing Son II Andre LaineTelevision film
Vanishing Son IV Andre LaineTelevision film
1995 Clockers Bill Walker
Nothing But the TruthDet. Vernon JonesTelevision film
Comfortably Numb Hamlin Day
1996 Get on the Bus Randall
1997 Chicago Cab Pissed-Off Boyfriend
Friends 'Til the End Prof. GundersonTelevision film
Too Close to HomeProsecuting AttorneyTelevision film
1998 Since You've Been Gone Jordan CardozoTelevision film
1999The UnspokenReverend Bob
Titus Aaron
2000 Love & Basketball Nathan Wright
The Artist's Journey: Funk BlastThe Guide
2001All or NothingJacksonVideo
American TempFred CaesarShort
Home Invaders-
2002 Pumpkin Robert Meary
Collateral Damage FBI Agent Dray
Don't ExplainLee
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
2005TrespassDaddyShort
2006Sharif Don't Like ItTom
2007 Stomp the Yard Nate
Resurrecting the Champ Bob Satterfield Jr.
Across the Universe Army Sergeant
2008Fly Like MercuryCoach
2009 State of Play Detective Bell
The InterviewDracoShort
2011Hound DogsSkipTelevision 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 RayRayLenotti
They Die by DawnSheriff Bass Reeves
LorraineFatherShort
Keep PushingStaff Sergeant HooverShort
2014Cruel WillDr. Frances
CruDiego Glass
Stand Down SoldierOfficer Freeman
The AlgerianSuleyman
The Fright Night FilesRonaldTelevision film
2015 Justice League: Throne of Atlantis Black Manta Voice, direct-to-video
72 HoursGod
Back to School MomLawrence Riley
Chi-Raq Commissioner Blades
2016 Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Swanwick
Macbeth UnhingedBanquo
Timeless Johnson
For the Love of ChristmasGod
Alternate Universe: A Rescue MissionPrincipal Sheehan
RetributionCaptain Tucker
2017NeedlestickRay LeGro
Romeo and Juliet in HarlemCapulet
2018That's HarassmentPoliticianShort
Rehabilitation of the HillDavidson Livingston
Canal Street DJ Terrance Palmer
Revival!Pilate
2020Grey StreetsCardinal FordShort
Emperor Frederick Douglass
LazarettoSufyanShort
Troubled WatersRon Waters
2021 Zack Snyder's Justice League J'onn J'onzz / Martian Manhunter Director's cut of Justice League
The Almighty Street TeamCalvin Chase/Black Aizan
The Musical Adventures of Afro Banzai - The Table ReadDean Harry L. Coltrane/NarratorVideo
Nothing Is ImpossibleRussell Banks
A Christmas Together With YouFrankTelevision film
2022Super TurntMr. Denver
Curse of the MacbethsBanquo
2024Isla Monstro [13] [14] General DreggCompleted
TBAWinter BallEddiePost-production
L.A. 4ORCEShy-town HarryFilming
The pugilistDamienPre-production

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"
1997 Murder One Mr. 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 ParkerEpisode: "Final Judgment"
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 M.D. 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. Tim DupreRecurring cast
2013Always NightRoger BanksEpisode: "12-12-12"
Quick Draw Sherrif Matt LoveEpisode: "Nicodemus"
2013–23 The Blacklist Harold CooperMain cast
2015The Marriage TourMr. WrightRecurring cast (season 2)
2016–22 Billions 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"
2023 Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas BoormanVoice
2024 Diarra from Detroit Walter HarleyRecurring role [15]

Video games

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

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

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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. https://playbill.com/article/alexander-gemignani-harry-lennix-will-inherit-the-wind-at-the-goodman-ian-barford-helen-hunt-to-explore-betrayal
  9. "Djena Graves and Harry Lennix III". The New York Times . June 26, 2009. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  10. "Djena Graves Lennix: Executive Profile & Biography". www.bloomberg.com. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  11. 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.
  12. Hume, Ashley (October 26, 2022). "'Matrix' star Harry Lennix on how studying to be a priest improved his acting". Fox News.
  13. Gajewski, Ryan (July 24, 2024). "Harland Williams, Spencer Grammer, Harry Lennix Lead Voice Cast for Animated Sci-Fi Movie 'Isla Monstro' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on July 24, 2024. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  14. "Sitges2024 Completes its Constellation of the World's Best Fantastic Genre". Sitges Film Festival. September 10, 2024. Archived from the original on September 10, 2024. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  15. "Video: BET+ Original Series - "Diarra From Detroit" - Trailer". www.thefutoncritic.com. February 1, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024.