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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 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

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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

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1989 The Package Johnny's Field Soldier
1989 A Mother's Courage: The Mary Thomas Story Nero TV Movie
1990 Perry Mason: The Case of the Defiant Daughter Prosecutor Keith Warner
1991 The Five Heartbeats Dresser
1991 Victimless Crimes Baker
1992 In the Best Interest of the Children Tim Coffey TV Movie
1992 Bob Roberts Franklin Dockett
1992 Mo' Money Tom Dilton Credited as Harry J. Lennix
1994 Guarding Tess Kenny Young Credited as Harry J. Lennix
1994 Vanishing Son 2 Andre Laine TV Movie
1994 Notes in a Minor Key Teddy Short
1994 Vanishing Son 4 André Laine TV Movie
1995 Comfortably Numb Hamlin Day
1995 Clockers Bill Walker
1996 Get on the Bus Randall
1997 Chicago Cab Pissed-Off Boyfriend Credited as Harry J. Lennix
1997 Too Close to Home Prosecuting Attorney TV Movie
1997 Friends 'Til the End Prof. Gunderson TV Movie
1998 Since You've Been Gone Jordan Cardozo TV Movie
1999 The Unspoken Reverend Bob
1999 Titus Aaron
2000 Love & Basketball Nathan Wright
2000 The Artist's Journey: Funk Blast The Guide
2000 All or Nothing Jackson Short
2000 American Temp Fred Caesar Short
2001 Home Invaders Himself
2002 Pumpkin Robert Meary
2002 Collateral Damage FBI Agent Dray
2002 Keep the Faith, Baby Adam Clayton Powell Jr. TV Movie
2002 Don't Explain Lee
2002 Never Get Outta the Boat Brandon Credited as Harry J. Lennix
2003 Black Listed Karl Bennett Short
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
2005 Trespass Daddy Short
2006 Shariff Don't Like It Tom
2007 Stomp the Yard Nate
2007 Resurrecting the Champ Bob Satterfield Jr.
2007 Across the Universe Army Sergaent
2008 Fly Like Mercury Coach
2009 State of Play Detective Bell
2009 The Interview Draco Short
2011 Hound Dogs Skip TV 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
2013 They Die by Dawn Sheriff Bass Reeves
2013 Sunny and RayRay Lenotti
2013 Keep Pushing Staff Sergeant Hoover Short
2014 Cruel Will Dr. Frances
2014 Cru Diego Glass
2014 The Algerian Suleyman
2014 The Fright Night Files Ronald TV Movie
2014 Stand Down Soldier Officer Freeman
2015 Justice League: Throne of Atlantis Black Manta Voice role
2015 72 Hours God
2015 Back to School Mom Lawrence Riley
2015 Chi-Raq Commissioner Blades
2015 Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Swanwick
2016 Macbeth Unhinged Banquo
2016 Timeless Johnson
2016 For the Love of Christmas God
2016 Retribution Captain Tucker
2016 Alternate Universe: A Rescue Mission Principal Sheehan
2017 Needlestick Ray LeGro
2017 Romeo and Juliet in Harlem Capulet
2018 That's Harrasment Politician Short
2018 Rehabilition of the Hill Davidson Livingston
2018 Canal Street DJ Terrance Palmer
2018 Revival Pilate
2020 Grey Streets Cardinal Ford Short
2020 Emperor Frederick Douglas
2020 Lazaretto Sufyan Short
2021 Zack Snyder's Justice League J'onn J'onzz / Martian Manhunter Director's cut of Justice League
2021 The Almighty Street Team Calvin James / Black Aizan
2021 A Christmas Together with You Frank Emory TV Movie
2022 Super Turnt Mr. Denver
2022 Winter Ball Eddie
2022 Curse of the Macbeths Banquo
2022 Nothing is Impossible Russell Banks
2024 Cutting Squares Johnson / Self
2024 Isla Monstro General Dregg
2024 Godless Bishop Rolland
TBA L.A. 4ORCE † Chi-town Harry In production
TBA Eyes in the Trees † Dr. Murphy In production
TBA William Shakespeare's Macbeth † Macbeth In production
TBA The Price for Freedom † Thurgood Marshall In production
TBA Love Extreme † David In development
Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released

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 / Attorney Wayland Holmes 2 episodes
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 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. Dr. Tim Dupre Recurring cast
2013 Always Night Roger Banks Miniseries
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 Frank Sacker / 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"
2024 Diarra from Detroit Walter Harley Recurring role[14]
2024 Destination Heaven God the Father Miniseries
2024 Young Love Russell Young Voice, 9 episodes
TBA Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas Boorman Voice[15]

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

Radio

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Year Title Role Ref.
2024 The Last Days of Cabrini -Green Himself Podcast series[16]

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. ^ a b "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.
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