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Harry Lennix

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Harry Lennix
Lennix at the 2013 San Diego Comic-Con
Born
Harold Joseph Lennix III

(1964-11-16) November 16, 1964 (age 60)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Alma materNorthwestern 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-stars 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.

Early life

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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

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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 June 2014, scenes featuring Lennix as Johnson for the independent film Timeless were filmed in Stuttgart, directed by Alexander Tuschinski.[7] The film was released in 2016. In July 2014, Lennix formed his own production company Exponent Media Group (EMG) along with long time business partner Steve Harris.[8] 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![8]

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".[9] 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.[10]

Personal life

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In 2009, Lennix married business executive Djena Graves.[11][12]

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.[13]

Lennix is Catholic.[14]

Filmography

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Film

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Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released
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 [15]
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[16]
72 Hours God
Back to School Mom Lawrence Riley
Chi-Raq Commissioner Blades
2016 Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Calvin 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 [17]
Revival! Pilate
2020 Grey Streets Cardinal Ford Short
Emperor Frederick Douglass [18]
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[19]
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
2024 Isla Monstro General Dregg Voice[20][21]
TBA Winter Ball † Eddie Post-production
L.A. 4ORCE † Shy-town Harry Filming
The pugilist † Damien Pre-production

Television

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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 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"
2013–23 The Blacklist Harold Cooper Main cast
2015 The Marriage Tour Mr. Wright Recurring cast (season 2)
2016–22 Billions Franklin Sacker Recurring cast
2017 The Blacklist: Redemption Harold Cooper Episode: "Whitehall"
Transformers: Robots in Disguise Cyclonus, Galvatronus (voice) 2 episodes
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 Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas Boorman Voice[22]
2024 Diarra from Detroit Walter Harley Recurring role[23]

Video games

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Year Title Voice role Notes
2003 Enter the Matrix Commander Jason Lock Voice acting and full-motion video cutscenes
2004 The Matrix Online Voice acting

Awards and nominations

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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

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  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. ^ Schieler, Benjamin (June 30, 2014). "Der Star macht Urlaub von der Ehefrau". Stuttgarter Zeitung.
  8. ^ a b "Harry Lennix – Andrew E. Freedman Public Relations". www.aefpr.com. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  9. ^ Hughes, Mike (December 3, 2015). "Harry Lennix: 'Chi-Raq' movie stirs his boyhood memories". Lansing State Journal.
  10. ^ https://playbill.com/article/alexander-gemignani-harry-lennix-will-inherit-the-wind-at-the-goodman-ian-barford-helen-hunt-to-explore-betrayal
  11. ^ "Djena Graves and Harry Lennix III". The New York Times. June 26, 2009. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  12. ^ "Djena Graves Lennix: Executive Profile & Biography". www.bloomberg.com. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  13. ^ 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.
  14. ^ Hume, Ashley (October 26, 2022). "'Matrix' star Harry Lennix on how studying to be a priest improved his acting". Fox News.
  15. ^ Kit, Borys (July 8, 2011). "Dollhouse Actor Joins Man of Steel". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  16. ^ "Harry Lennix (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved October 10, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  17. ^ Roeper, Richard (January 17, 2019). "Canal Street: A Chicago crime story, sharply made, sadly familiar". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  18. ^ Debruge, Peter (August 15, 2020). "Emperor Review: A Runaway Slave Joins the Raid on Harpers Ferry in Forgotten Tale of Black Heroism". Variety. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  19. ^ Knox, Kelly (March 18, 2021). "Martian Manhunter Explained: The Hero Hiding in Plain Sight in the Justice League Snyder Cut". IGN. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  20. ^ 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.
  21. ^ "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.
  22. ^ Kelley, Aidan (May 3, 2023). "Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas: Everything We Know So Far About Zack Snyder's Zombie Prequel". Collider.
  23. ^ "Video: BET+ Original Series - "Diarra From Detroit" - Trailer". www.thefutoncritic.com. February 1, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
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