{{Short description|American actor (born 1980)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2020}} {{Infobox person | name = William Jackson Harper | image = William Jackson Harper at the 2018 Comic-Con International (42913092745) (cropped).jpg | caption = Harper in 2018 | birth_name = William Fitzgerald Harper | birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1980|2|8}} | birth_place = Dallas, Texas, U.S. | alma_mater = College of Santa Fe | occupation = Actor, playwright | years_active = 2007–present | spouse = | children = }}
'''William Fitzgerald Harper''' (born February 8, 1980), known professionally as '''William Jackson Harper''', is an American actor and playwright. He gained acclaim for his role as Chidi Anagonye in the NBC comedy series ''The Good Place'' (2016–2020), for which he was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Saclao |first1=Christian |title='The Good Place' Actor William Jackson Harper on Playing Kristen Bell's Onscreen Soulmate in the NBC Series |url=http://www.ibtimes.com/good-place-actor-william-jackson-harper-playing-kristen-bells-onscreen-soulmate-nbc-2421790 |work=International Business Times |date=September 26, 2016 |access-date=January 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107004604/http://www.ibtimes.com/good-place-actor-william-jackson-harper-playing-kristen-bells-onscreen-soulmate-nbc-2421790 |archive-date=January 7, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Charles |first1=Marissa |title=William Jackson Harper on Starring in NBC's 'The Good Place' |url=http://www.ebony.com/entertainment-culture/the-good-place-william-jackson-harper |work=Ebony |date=September 19, 2016 |access-date=January 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107004824/http://www.ebony.com/entertainment-culture/the-good-place-william-jackson-harper |archive-date=January 7, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Harper started his career as a main cast member of the PBS Kids Go! series ''The Electric Company'' (2009–2011). As a playwright, he wrote ''We Live Here'' (2010)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abouttheartists.com/plays/29899-we-live-here-by-william-jackson-harper|title=We Live Here|website=Abouttheartist|access-date=March 7, 2024}}</ref> and ''Travisville'' (2018).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abouttheartists.com/plays/50630-travisville-by-william-jackson-harper|title=Travisville|website=Abouttheartist|access-date=March 7, 2024}}</ref> He made his Broadway acting debut portraying civil rights activist Stokely Carmichael in the play ''All the Way'' (2013). Harper's other notable roles on stage include ''Romeo & Juliet'' (2012), ''After the Blast'' (2017), and ''Primary Trust'' (2023). For his role as Astrov in the Lincoln Center Theatre revival of ''Uncle Vanya'' (2024) he earned a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play.
He has starred in the Amazon limited series ''The Underground Railroad'' (2020), the second season of the HBO Max comedy series ''Love Life'' (2021) and in the Peacock comedy mystery series ''The Resort'' (2022). Harper has taken supporting roles in films such as ''Paterson'' (2016), ''Midsommar'' (2019), and ''Dark Waters'' (2019). He portrayed Quaz in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film ''Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania'' (2023).
== Early life and education == William Fitzgerald Harper<ref name="vulture">{{Cite news |url=https://www.vulture.com/2017/11/william-jackson-harper-on-the-good-place.html?sf134198415=1 |title=William Jackson Harper on the Other Good Place Character He'd Like to Play |last=Pape |first=Allie |work=Vulture |language=en |access-date=November 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107032053/http://www.vulture.com/2017/11/william-jackson-harper-on-the-good-place.html?sf134198415=1 |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> was born on February 8, 1980, in Dallas, Texas.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.playbill.com/person/william-jackson-harper-vault-0000125026 |title=William Jackson Harper |work=Playbill |language=en |access-date=October 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731185352/http://www.playbill.com/person/william-jackson-harper-vault-0000125026 |archive-date=July 31, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> Harper grew up in Garland, Texas, and attended Lakeview Centennial High School.<ref>{{cite web|last=Jorgenson|first=Paul|url=https://www.dmagazine.com/arts-entertainment/2018/05/after-he-almost-quit-acting-a-garland-native-found-himself-in-a-good-place/|title=After He Almost Quit Acting, A Garland Native Found Himself in a 'Good Place'|work=D Magazine|date=May 28, 2018|access-date=August 26, 2022}}</ref> He graduated from the College of Santa Fe in 2003.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://santafeuniversity.edu/academics/performing-arts/performing-arts-accomplishments/alumni/ |title=Alumni |publisher=Santa Fe University of Art and Design |language=en |access-date=October 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004085118/http://santafeuniversity.edu/academics/performing-arts/performing-arts-accomplishments/alumni/ |archive-date=October 4, 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Harper chose the stage name "William Jackson Harper" when registering for the Actors' Equity Association; most variations of "William Harper" were already in use, and he thought that "Fitzgerald" was too long. He then decided to honor his mother by using her maiden name, "Jackson", as his stage middle name.<ref name="vulture"/>
== Career == Harper made his New York theatre debut in the 2006 Vital Theatre Company production of ''Full Bloom'', a play about teenagers coming to terms with their sexuality.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hoban|first=Phoebe|date=March 18, 2006|title=Teenage Girl With Issues and Salinger (Published 2006)|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/18/theater/reviews/teenage-girl-with-issues-and-salinger.html|access-date=December 29, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Full Bloom at the McGinn/Cazale Theatre|url=https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/news-features/full-bloom-at-the-mcginncazale-theatre|access-date=December 29, 2020|website=New York Theater Guide|date=October 19, 2017 |language=en}}</ref> In 2008 he performed in Manhattan Theatre Club's production of Lynn Nottage's play, ''Ruined'', which won the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Brantley|first=Ben|date=February 10, 2009|title=War's Terrors, Through a Brothel Window (Published 2009)|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/11/theater/reviews/11bran.html|access-date=December 29, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Pulitzer Winner Ruined Extends Through May 17 at MTC|url=https://www.broadway.com/buzz/98442/pulitzer-winner-ruined-extends-through-may-17-at-mtc/|access-date=December 29, 2020|website=Broadway.com|language=en}}</ref> From 2009 to 2011, he played Danny Rebus in the PBS series ''The Electric Company''.<ref name="GQ 2018-01-04">{{Cite news|last=Meslow|first=Scott|date=January 4, 2018|title=The Good Place's William Jackson Harper Had No Idea What He Was Auditioning For|language=en|work=GQ|url=https://www.gq.com/story/william-jackson-harper-the-good-place-interview|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130040234/https://www.gq.com/story/william-jackson-harper-the-good-place-interview|archive-date=January 30, 2018}}</ref> In 2010 he appeared in the Public Theater's mobile unit production of Shakespeare's ''Measure for Measure'',<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hetrick|first=Adam|date=October 25, 2010|title=Public Theater's Mobile Unit Will Bring Shakespeare to New Audiences|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/public-theaters-mobile-unit-will-bring-shakespeare-to-new-audiences-com-172992|access-date=December 29, 2020|website=Playbill|language=en}}</ref> and in 2011 returned for ''Titus Andronicus'', this time at the Anspacher Theater.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Isherwood|first=Charles|date=December 14, 2011|title=I Wouldn't Touch That Pie, if I Were You (Published 2011)|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/14/theater/reviews/titus-andronicus-at-public-lab-review.html|access-date=December 29, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> He starred as Marty Boy in debut of ''The Total Bent'', a musical composed by Stew and Heidi Rodewald, that premiered at The Public Theater in 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hetrick|first=Adam|date=February 24, 2012|title=Stew and Heidi Rodewald's The Total Bent Debuts at the Public Feb. 24|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/stew-and-heidi-rodewalds-the-total-bent-debuts-at-the-public-feb-24-com-187748|access-date=December 29, 2020|website=Playbill|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Total Bent|url=http://www.iobdb.com/Production/5381|access-date=December 29, 2020|website=iobdb.com}}</ref> The show was later reworked around Ato Blankson-Wood.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Isherwood|first=Charles|date=May 26, 2016|title=Review: In 'The Total Bent,' a Father-Son Rift and a Sensational Score (Published 2016)|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/26/theater/review-in-the-total-bent-a-father-son-rift-and-a-sensational-score.html|access-date=December 29, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Harper made his Broadway debut in 2014 portraying Stokely Carmichael in the Robert Schenkkan play ''All the Way'' starring Bryan Cranston as President Lyndon B. Johnson. The play revolved around the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.playbill.com/playbillpagegallery/inside-playbill?asset=00000150-ac87-d16d-a550-ecbf7e6b0005&type=InsidePlaybill&slide=1 |title=Inside Playbill Gallery |work=Playbill |language=en |access-date=October 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003075626/http://www.playbill.com/playbillpagegallery/inside-playbill?asset=00000150-ac87-d16d-a550-ecbf7e6b0005&type=InsidePlaybill&slide=1 |archive-date=October 3, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> The production went on to win the Tony Award for Best Play. Harper and Carrie Coon co-starred together in the 2015 Melissa James Gibson play, ''Placebo'' at Playwrights Horizon Theater.<ref>{{Cite news|last=McElroy|first=Steven|date=March 11, 2015|title=Melissa James Gibson's 'Placebo' at Playwrights Horizons (Published 2015)|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/15/theater/melissa-james-gibsons-placebo-at-playwrights-horizons.html|access-date=December 29, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title='Placebo': Theater Review {{!}} Hollywood Reporter|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/carrie-coon-placebo-theater-review-782085|access-date=December 29, 2020|website=hollywoodreporter.com|date=March 16, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Stasio|first=Marilyn|date=March 17, 2015|title=Off Broadway Review: 'Placebo' with Carrie Coon|url=https://variety.com/2015/legit/reviews/placebo-review-carrie-coon-playwrights-horizons-1201454606/|access-date=December 29, 2020|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref> Marilyn Stasio of ''Variety'' praised him writing, "Harper inhabits the difficult role as comfortably as someone who lives in robe and slippers".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2015/legit/reviews/placebo-review-carrie-coon-playwrights-horizons-1201454606/|title=Off Broadway Review: 'Placebo' with Carrie Coon|website=Variety|date=March 17, 2015 |access-date=March 7, 2024}}</ref> The following year he took a supporting role in the Jim Jarmusch drama ''Paterson'' (2016) starring Adam Driver.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/william-jackson-harper-says-getting-064119324.html|title=William Jackson Harper in Paterson|website=Yahoo News|date=October 4, 2019 |access-date=March 7, 2024}}</ref>
[[File:'The Good Place' cast and crew visit San Diego Comic Con for a panel (48469772656).jpg|thumb|right|''The Good Place'' cast (Ted Danson, Kristen Bell, D'Arcy Carden, Harper, Manny Jacinto, and Jameela Jamil) at San Diego Comic-Con in 2019]] In 2016, Harper was cast on the NBC comedy ''The Good Place'' created by Michael Schur.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://deadline.com/2016/02/good-place-william-jackson-harper-cast-nbc-series-1201701275/ |title='Good Place' NBC Comedy Series Casts William Jackson Harper |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=February 12, 2016 |work=Deadline |language=en-US |access-date=January 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527152356/http://deadline.com/2016/02/good-place-william-jackson-harper-cast-nbc-series-1201701275/ |archive-date=May 27, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Before landing the role of Chidi Anagonye, he considered quitting acting.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/tv/2017/07/12/good-place-season-2-william-jackson-harper-chidi/ |title='The Good Place' Star William Jackson Harper Promises 'Acupuncture and Pigs' in Season 2 |last=Snierson |first=Dan |date=July 12, 2017 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |language=en-US |access-date=October 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003075305/http://ew.com/tv/2017/07/12/good-place-season-2-william-jackson-harper-chidi/ |archive-date=October 3, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.eurweb.com/2016/09/good-place-saved-william-jackson-harper-quitting-hollywood-eur-exclusive/ |title='The Good Place' Saved William Jackson Harper From Quitting Hollywood |last=Magee |first=Ny |date=September 25, 2016 |work=EURweb |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130042603/https://www.eurweb.com/2016/09/good-place-saved-william-jackson-harper-quitting-hollywood-eur-exclusive/ |archive-date=January 30, 2018 |url-status=live |language=en-US}}</ref> Harper did not learn about the show's real premise until after he was cast.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://collider.com/the-good-place-season-2-william-jackson-harper-interview/ |title='The Good Place': William Jackson Harper on That Big Twist and Season 2 Challenges |last=Radish |first=Christina |date=October 5, 2017 |work=Collider |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130043842/http://collider.com/the-good-place-season-2-william-jackson-harper-interview/ |archive-date=January 30, 2018 |url-status=live |language=en-US}}</ref> His performance has received critical praise and he was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.avclub.com/the-good-place-ends-an-outstanding-first-season-with-it-1798190195|title=The Good Place ends an outstanding first season with its most masterful twist yet |last=Perkins |first=Dennis |date=January 19, 2017 |work=The A.V. Club |language=en-US |access-date=January 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130204416/https://tv.avclub.com/the-good-place-ends-an-outstanding-first-season-with-it-1798190195 |archive-date=January 30, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://blog.apaonline.org/2017/06/21/philosophy-on-tv-the-good-place/|title=Philosophy on TV: "The Good Place"|last=Cleary |first=Skye |date=June 21, 2017 |publisher=American Philosophical Association |language=en-US |access-date=January 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131014551/https://blog.apaonline.org/2017/06/21/philosophy-on-tv-the-good-place/ |archive-date=January 31, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2017, in between filming the show's first and second seasons, he had a leading role alongside Cristin Milioti in Zoe Kazan's futuristic romantic drama ''After the Blast'' at Lincoln Center's Claire Tow Theatre.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.lct.org/shows/after-blast/ |title=After The Blast |publisher=Lincoln Center Theater |language=en |access-date=February 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220152000/http://www.lct.org/shows/after-blast/ |archive-date=February 20, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/23/theater/review-romancing-the-bot-in-zoe-kazans-after-the-blast.html |title=Review: Romancing the Bot in Zoe Kazan's 'After the Blast' |last=Brantley |first=Ben |date=October 23, 2017 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=February 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220151859/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/23/theater/review-romancing-the-bot-in-zoe-kazans-after-the-blast.html |archive-date=February 20, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Frank Scheck of ''The Hollywood Reporter'' wrote, "[Kazan] has...elicited superb performances from the lead actors, with Harper quietly persuasive as the husband desperately trying to keep his marriage intact".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/blast-theater-review-1051104/|title=The Hollywood Reporter|website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=October 23, 2017 |access-date=March 7, 2024}}</ref> Also in 2017 he had a supporting role in the VH1 drama series ''The Breaks''.
In 2018, Harper's play ''Travisville'' had its world premiere at Ensemble Studio Theatre.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rickwald |first1=Bethany |title=William Jackson Harper on Taking the Sepia Tones out of Civil Rights in 'Travisville' |url=https://www.theatermania.com/off-broadway/news/william-jackson-harper-travisville-interview_86772.html |work=TheaterMania |date=October 18, 2018 |access-date=August 31, 2020}}</ref> In an interview with Bloomberg News, he revealed that the play was inspired by the displacement of a poor Black community that was situated near the grounds of the Texas State Fair in Dallas.<ref>{{Cite news|date=December 20, 2018|title=How a Dallas Parking Lot Inspired a Play by William Jackson Harper|language=en|work=Bloomberg.com|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-12-20/travisville-william-jackson-harper-s-play-about-dallas|access-date=December 29, 2020}}</ref> The same year, he appeared in the sci-fi film ''They Remain''.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kenigsberg|first=Ben|date=March 1, 2018|title=Review: In 'They Remain,' Scientists Investigate the Site of a Cult Massacre (Published 2018)|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/01/movies/they-remain-review.html|access-date=December 29, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In 2019, he starred in two critically acclaimed films, playing Josh in the Ari Aster directed horror film ''Midsommar'' and James Ross in the Todd Haynes legal thriller ''Dark Waters''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/midsommar-film-review-1203247188/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190619231443/https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/midsommar-film-review-1203247188/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 19, 2019 |title='Midsommar' Film Review – Variety |date=June 19, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.themaineedge.com/buzz/movies/dark-waters-a-low-key-legal-drama |title='Dark Waters' a low-key legal drama |first=Allen |last=Adams |website=themaineedge.com |access-date=February 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223043534/https://www.themaineedge.com/buzz/movies/dark-waters-a-low-key-legal-drama |archive-date=December 23, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Also that year, he voiced John Mercer Langston in season one of the Airship podcast ''1865'', which details the weeks immediately following the assassination of US President Abraham Lincoln.<ref>{{Cite web|title=AIRSHIP {{!}} 1865|url=https://airship.fm/1865-podcast/|access-date=September 30, 2021|archive-date=May 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503015749/https://airship.fm/1865-podcast/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
It was announced in April 2020 that he would narrate the Marvel audio book series ''Black Panther: Sins of the King,''<ref>{{Cite web |title=William Jackson Harper to Narrate 'Marvel's Black Panther: Sins of the King' (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/william-jackson-harper-to-narrate-black-panther-audio-drama-exclusive |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=August 19, 2020 |access-date=December 29, 2020}}</ref> and in November 2020, that he would star in season 2 of the HBO Max anthology series ''Love Life''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Otterson|first=Joe|date=November 5, 2020|title=William Jackson Harper to Star in 'Love Life' Season 2 at HBO Max|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/william-jackson-harper-love-life-season-2-hbo-max-1234823876/|access-date=December 29, 2020|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=November 9, 2020|title=Greenlit: William Jackson Harper Will Lead the Cast of 'Love Life' Season 2 + More|url=https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/greenlit-william-jackson-harper-season-2-hbo-max-love-life-72049/ |website=Backstage.com |access-date=December 29, 2020}}</ref> In 2021 he acted in the Barry Jenkins directed Amazon Prime Video miniseries ''The Underground Railroad'' adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning 2016 historical novel of the same name by Colson Whitehead.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2021/06/awards-insider-william-jackson-harper-underground-railroad|title=How William Jackson Harper Brought Hope to The Underground Railroad|magazine=Vanity Fair|date=June 18, 2021 |access-date=March 7, 2024}}</ref> For his performance Harper was nominated for the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Movie/Miniseries.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2022/awards/awards/2022-critics-choice-awards-winners-list-1235203301/|title=Critics Choice Awards 2022: 'The Power of the Dog,' 'Ted Lasso,' 'Succession' Win Big (Full Winners List)|website=Variety|date=March 13, 2022 |access-date=March 7, 2024}}</ref> In October 2022, it was revealed that Harper joined the cast of ''Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania'', set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film was released in theaters on February 17, 2023.<ref>{{cite web |date=28 October 2022 |title=William Jackson Harper Cast In 'Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania' |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/william-jackson-harper-cast-in-ant-man-and-the-wasp-quantumania-1235415596/ |website=Variety}}</ref>
In 2023 he starred as Kenneth in the Eboni Booth play ''Primary Trust'' at the Roundabout Theatre Company Off-Broadway. The play ran from May 4 to July 2 at the Laura Pels Theatre.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://playbill.com/production/primary-trust-off-broadway-roundabout-theatre-company-laura-pels-theatre-2023|title=Primary Trust (Off-Broadway, 2023)|website=Playbill|access-date=March 7, 2024}}</ref> Naveen Kumar of ''The New York Times'' praised his performance writing, "Harper, who is onstage for nearly all of the production’s 95 minutes, performs with astonishing ease and vulnerability, particularly given the depths he is asked to plumb in monologues directly to the audience; he lends the currents flowing through Kenneth's interior life extraordinary subtlety and immediacy".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/25/theater/primary-trust-review.html#:~:text=Harper%2C%20who%20is%20onstage%20for,life%20extraordinary%20subtlety%20and%20immediacy.|title='Primary Trust' Review: Sipping Mai Tais, Until Bitter Reality Knocks|website=The New York Times|access-date=March 7, 2024}}</ref> For his performance Harper won the 2023 Obie Award for Outstanding Performance. Harper is set to return to Broadway playing Astrov in the 2024 revival of the Anton Chekhov play ''Uncle Vanya'' starring Steve Carell, Alison Pill, Jayne Houdyshell and Alfred Molina at Lincoln Center.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/legit/news/steve-carell-broadway-debut-uncle-vanya-alfred-molina-william-jackson-harper-1235790373/|title=Steve Carell Making Broadway Debut in 'Uncle Vanya' Opposite Alfred Molina, William Jackson Harper and More|website=Variety|date=November 14, 2023 |access-date=March 7, 2024}}</ref> For his performance he received a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://playbill.com/article/tony-nominations-2024|title=2024 Tony Nominations: Hell's Kitchen, Stereophonic Lead—Read the Full List|website=Playbill|access-date=May 6, 2024}}</ref> In January 2026 it was announced that Harper was cast in ''Cry Wolf'', a limited series on FX inspired by the Danish series Ulven Kommer. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Cordero |first=Rosy |date=2026-01-13 |title=William Jackson Harper Joins FX Limited Series ‘Cry Wolf’ |url=https://deadline.com/2026/01/william-jackson-harper-cast-fx-cry-wolf-1236680988/ |access-date=2026-01-13 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Personal life==
Harper is in a relationship with actress Ali Ahn, who co-starred with him in an outdoor production of ''Romeo + Juliet'' in New York in 2012.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2021-10-24/william-jackson-harper-the-good-place-love-life|title=William Jackson Harper 'freaked out' he'd never make it. Now he's in a very good place|last=Villareal|first=Yvonne|date=October 24, 2021|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 22, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/08/nyregion/a-review-of-romeo-juliet-by-shakespeare-on-the-sound.html|title=A Classic Love Story, Reimagined|last=Gates|first=Anita|date=July 6, 2012|work=The New York Times|access-date=May 22, 2023}}</ref>
==Acting credits== ===Film=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes !Ref. |- | 2010 | ''All Good Things'' | Moynihan's Assistant | | |- | 2012 | ''That's What She Said'' | Harry | | |- | 2015 | ''True Story'' | Zak Rausch | | |- | 2016 | ''Paterson'' | Everett | | |- | 2018 | ''They Remain'' | Keith | | |- | rowspan="3"|2019 | ''Lost Holiday'' | Mark | | |- | ''Midsommar'' | Josh | | |- | ''Dark Waters'' | James Ross | | |- | rowspan="2"|2020 | ''David'' | David | Short film | |- | ''The Man in the Woods'' | Buster Heath | | |- | 2021 | ''We Broke Up'' | Doug | | |- | rowspan="2"|2023 | ''Landscape with Invisible Hand'' | Mr. Campbell | | |- | ''Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania'' | Quaz | | |- | rowspan="2"|{{TableTBA}} | ''Jodie'' | Mack Mackenzie | Voice role; in production | |- | ''The Life and Deaths of Wilson Shedd'' | {{TBA}} | Post-production | |}
===Television=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes !Ref. |- | 2007 | ''Law & Order: Criminal Intent'' | Chayne Danforth | Episode: "Self-made" | |- | rowspan="2"|2009 | ''Great Performances'' | Melville | Episode: "Harlem in Montmartre: A Paris Jazz Story" | |- | ''Mercy'' | David Green | Episode: "I Believe You Conrad" | |- | 2009–2011 | ''The Electric Company'' | Danny Rebus | Main cast; 52 episodes | |- | 2010 | ''Law & Order'' | Officer Derek Waldron | Episode: "Boy on Fire" | |- | 2011 | ''30 Rock'' | Rioter | Episode: "Plan B" | |- | 2013 | ''Unforgettable'' | Andry Fotre aka Arnold | Episode: "Incognito" | |- | 2014 | ''High Maintenance'' | Andrew | Episode: "Geiger" | |- | rowspan="2"|2015 | ''Person of Interest'' | Strobel | Episode: "Control-Alt-Delete" | |- | ''The Blacklist'' | Security | Episode: "Tom Connolly (No. 11)" | |- | 2016 | ''Deadbeat'' | Adam | Episode: "Death List Three" | |- | 2016–2020 | ''The Good Place'' | Chidi Anagonye | Main cast; 53 episodes | |- | 2017 | ''The Breaks'' | Stephen Jenkins | 3 episodes | |- | 2019 | ''Jack Ryan'' | Xander | 2 episodes | |- | 2020–2021 | ''American Dad!'' | TV Reporter, General Store Cashier, Nathaniel (voices) | 3 episodes | |- | 2021–2022 | ''Dogs in Space'' | Loaf (voice) | 16 episodes | |- | rowspan="4"|2021 | ''The Underground Railroad'' | Royal | 4 episodes | |- | ''Inside Job'' | Bryan Jacobsen / Bryan Bot (voice) | Episode: "Sex Machina" | |- | ''Love Life'' | Marcus Watkins | Main role (season 2) | |- | ''Death to 2021'' | Zero Fournine | Television special | |- | rowspan="2"|2022 | ''The Resort'' | Noah | Main cast | |- | ''Little Demon'' | Jimmy (voice) | Episode: "Everybody's Dying for the Weekend" | |- | 2024 | ''A Man in Full'' | Wes Jordan | 6 episodes | |- | rowspan=2|2025 | ''The Morning Show'' | Ben Ross | 6 episodes | |- | ''Elsbeth'' | Gary Pidgeon | Episode: Poetic Justice | |}
===Theater=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year !! Title !! Role !! Playwright !! Venue !! Ref. |- |2007 || ''Neglect'' || Joseph || Sharyn Rothstein || Ensemble Studio Theatre, Off-Broadway || |- |2007–2008 || ''Queens Boulevard (The Musical)'' || Performer || rowspan="2"|Charles L. Mee || rowspan="2"|Signature Theatre Company, Off-Broadway || |- |rowspan="3"|2008 || ''Paradise Park'' || Benny || |- |''Rich Boyfriend'' || Performer || Evan Smith || The New Group, Off-Broadway || |- |rowspan="2"|''Ruined'' || rowspan="2"|Miner / Soldier <br/> Simon / Aid Worker || rowspan="2"|Lynn Nottage || Goodman Theatre, Chicago || <ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ensemblestudiotheatre.org/william-jackson-harper/ |title=William Jackson Harper |publisher=Ensemble Studio Theatre |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130044721/http://www.ensemblestudiotheatre.org/william-jackson-harper/ |archive-date=January 30, 2018}}</ref> |- |2009 || New York City Center, Off-Broadway || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatre-news/news/titus-andronicus-public-announces-full-cast|title=Titus Andronicus: Public announces full cast|website=New York Theatre Guide|date=October 19, 2017 |access-date=March 7, 2024}}</ref> |- |rowspan="2"|2010 || ''A Cool Dip in the Barren Saharan Crick'' || Adebe || Kia Corthron || Playwrights Horizons, Off-Broadway |- |''microcrisis'' || Fed Chair / Acquah || Michael Lew || HERE Arts Center, Off-Broadway || |- |rowspan="2"|2011 || ''The Sugar House at the Edge of the Wilderness'' || Performer || Carla Ching || The Connelly Theater, Off-Broadway ||<ref>{{cite web|url=https://playbill.com/article/stew-and-heidi-rodewalds-the-total-bent-debuts-at-the-public-feb-24-com-187748|title=Stew and Heidi Rodewald's The Total Bent Debuts at the Public Feb. 24|website=Playbill|access-date=March 7, 2024}}</ref> |- |''Titus Andronicus'' || Demetrius || William Shakespeare || The Public Theater, Off-Broadway || |- |rowspan="4"|2012 || ''The Total Bent'' || Marty Boy || Stew || The Public Theater, Off-Broadway || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://playbill.com/article/stew-and-heidi-rodewalds-the-total-bent-debuts-at-the-public-feb-24-com-187748|title=Stew and Heidi Rodewald's The Total Bent Debuts at the Public Feb. 24|website=Playbill|access-date=May 13, 2024}}</ref> |- |''Massacre (Sing To Your Children)'' || Performer || José Rivera || Rattlestick Playwrights Theater || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2012/legit/reviews/massacre-sing-to-your-children-1117947385/|title=Massacre (Sing To Your Children)|website=Variety|date=April 13, 2012 |access-date=May 13, 2024}}</ref> |- |''Romeo & Juliet'' || Romeo || William Shakespeare || Shakespeare on the Sound || <ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.abouttheartists.com/artists/287337-william-jackson-harper |title=William Jackson Harper theatre profile |publisher=AboutTheArtists.com |access-date=January 30, 2018}}</ref> |- |''Modern Terrorism, or They Who Want to Kill Us <br/> and How We Learn to Love Them'' || Qala || Jon Kern || Second Stage Theater, Off-Broadway || |- |2013 || rowspan="2"|''All the Way'' || rowspan="2"|Stokely Carmichael || rowspan="2"|Robert Schenkkan || American Repertory Theatre || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://playbill.com/article/all-the-way-starring-bryan-cranston-as-lbj-opens-at-the-american-repertory-theater-sept-19-com-209658|title=All The Way, Starring Bryan Cranston as LBJ, Opens at the American Repertory Theater Sept. 19|website=Playbill|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref> |- |rowspan="2"|2014 || Neil Simon Theatre, Broadway || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.playbill.com/production/all-the-way-neil-simon-theatre-vault-0000014047|title=All the Way (Broadway, 2014)|website=Playbill|access-date=March 7, 2024}}</ref> |- |''You Got Older'' || Mac || Clare Barron || HERE Arts Center, Off-Broadway || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/newyork/theater/you-got-older|title=You Got Older|work=TimeOut|access-date=May 13, 2024}}</ref> |- |2015 || ''Placebo'' || Jonathan || Melissa James Gibson || Playwrights Horizons, Off-Broadway || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.playwrightshorizons.org/shows/plays/placebo/|title=Placebo|website=Playwrights Horizons|access-date=March 7, 2024}}</ref> |- |2017 || ''After the Blast'' || Oliver || Zoe Kazan || Lincoln Center Theater, Off-Broadway || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://playbill.com/article/first-look-at-after-the-blast-starring-cristin-milioti-and-william-jackson-harper|title=First Look at After the Blast, Starring Cristin Milioti and William Jackson Harper|website=Playbill|access-date=March 7, 2024}}</ref> |- |2023 || ''Primary Trust'' || Kenneth || Eboni Booth || Roundabout Theatre Company, Off-Broadway || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.roundabouttheatre.org/get-tickets/2022-2023-season/primary-trust/|title=Primary Trust|website=Roundabout Theatre|access-date=March 7, 2024}}</ref> |- |2024 || ''Uncle Vanya'' || Astrov || Anton Chekov || Vivian Beaumont Theatre, Broadway || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://playbill.com/gallery/photos-steve-carell-alison-pill-william-jackson-harper-more-in-uncle-vanya-at-lincoln-center-theater|title=Steve Carell, Alison Pill, William Jackson Harper, More in Uncle Vanya At Lincoln Center Theater|website=Playbill|access-date=April 30, 2024}}</ref> |- |}
==Awards and nominations== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Association ! Category ! Nominated work ! Result ! class=unsortable| Ref. |- | 2018 | rowspan="2"|Critics' Choice Television Award | rowspan="2"|Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series | rowspan="3"|''The Good Place'' | {{nom}} | style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2019/01/critics-choice-awards-2019-winners-list-live-blog-1202534016/ |title=Critics' Choice Awards: 'Roma' Wins Best Picture To Lead Night; 'The Americans' & 'Mrs. Maisel' Top TV – The Complete Winners List |last3=Hipes |first3=Patrick |last2=Blyth |first2=Antonia |last1=de Moraes |first1=Lisa |date=January 13, 2019 |work=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=January 13, 2019}}</ref> |- | 2019 | {{nom}} | style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web |last1=Tapley |first1=Kristopher |title='Roma,' 'The Americans' and 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' Win Top Critics' Choice Honors |url=https://variety.com/2019/film/awards/2019-critics-choice-awards-winners-nominees-full-list-1203106702/ |website=Variety |date=January 13, 2019 |access-date=October 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190114010818/https://variety.com/2019/film/awards/2019-critics-choice-awards-winners-nominees-full-list-1203106702/ |archive-date=January 14, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> |- | 2020 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series | {{nom}} | style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 29, 2020 |title=2020 Emmy Nominations |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2020-emmy-nominations-live-updating-1303894 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |access-date=July 14, 2020}}</ref> |- | 2021 | rowspan="2"|Critics' Choice Television Award | Best Supporting Actor in a Movie/Miniseries | ''The Underground Railroad'' | {{nom}} | style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/12/critics-choice-awards-tv-nominations-2021-succession-hbo-netflix-1234885460/|title=Critics Choice TV Nominations: 'Succession' Leads Field As HBO Edges Netflix|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=December 6, 2021 |access-date=March 7, 2024}}</ref> |- | 2022 | Best Actor in a Movie/Miniseries | ''Love Life'' | {{nom}} | style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2022/awards/awards/2022-critics-choice-awards-winners-list-1235203301/|title=Critics Choice Awards 2022: 'The Power of the Dog,' 'Ted Lasso,' 'Succession' Win Big (Full Winners List)|website=Variety|date=March 13, 2022 |access-date=March 14, 2024}}</ref> |- |2023 || Obie Awards || Outstanding Performance || rowspan="5"|''Primary Trust'' || {{won}} || style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.obieawards.com/events/2020s/year-23/|title=2023 Obie Awards|website=Obie Awards|access-date=March 7, 2024}}</ref> |- |rowspan="5"|2024 || Drama Desk Awards || Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play || {{nom}} || align=center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/2024-Drama-Desk-Awards-Nominations--The-Full-List-20240429|title=2024 Drama Desk Awards Nominations- The Full List!|website=BroadwayWorld|access-date=April 29, 2024}}</ref> |- || Drama League Awards || Distinguished Performance || {{nom}} || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://playbill.com/article/2024-drama-league-awards-nominations-are-out-read-the-full-list|title=2024 Drama League Awards Nominations Are Out; Read the Full List|website=Playbill|access-date=May 6, 2024}}</ref> |- || Lucille Lortel Awards || Outstanding Lead Performer in a Play || {{nom}} || align=center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://playbill.com/article/wet-brain-leads-2024-lucille-lortel-award-nominations-read-the-complete-list|title=Wet Brain Leads 2024 Lucille Lortel Award Nominations; Read the Complete List|website=Playbill|access-date=April 5, 2024}}</ref> |- || Outer Critics Circle Awards || Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Play || {{won}} || align=center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theatermania.com/news/idead-outlaw-i-istereophonic-i-lead-2024-outer-critics-circle-award-nominations_1737873/|title=Dead Outlaw, Stereophonic Lead 2024 Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations|website=Theatermania|access-date=April 23, 2024}}</ref> |- || Tony Award || Best Actor in a Play || ''Uncle Vanya'' || {{Nominated}} || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2024/04/30/1247946069/tony-nominees-name|title='Hell's Kitchen' and 'Stereophonic' lead Tony Awards with 13 nominations each|website=NPR|access-date=April 30, 2024}}</ref> |- |}
==See also== * African-American Tony nominees and winners
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb name|2860379}} * {{Twitter|dubjackharper}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Harper, William Jackson}} Category:Living people Category:1980 births Category:American male television actors Category:Male actors from Dallas Category:Santa Fe University of Art and Design alumni Category:American male film actors Category:21st-century African-American male actors Category:21st-century American male actors Category:20th-century African-American male actors Category:20th-century American male actors Category:Lakeview Centennial High School alumni