Harold Thomas Wright (born November 29, 1952) is an American television and theatre actor.

Early life

Wright was born on November 29, 1952, in

Englewood, New Jersey Englewood is a city in Bergen County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, which at the 2020 United States census had a population of 29,308. Englewood was incorporated as a city by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 17, 1899, from por ...

Career

Wright has appeared in over 40 stage productions on and off Broadway. He began his acting career as an original member of The People's Light and Theater Company outside of

Philadelphia Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Sinc ...

. Wright also spent four years at the National Playwrights Conference and two summers at the Sundance Institute. On Broadway, he performed in ''

A Taste of Honey ''A Taste of Honey'' is the first play by the British dramatist Shelagh Delaney, written when she was 19. It was intended as a novel, but she turned it into a play because she hoped to revitalise British theatre and address social issues that ...

'' which received two

Tony Award The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, more commonly known as the Tony Award, recognizes excellence in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual cer ...

nominations. Some of the notable theaters in which he has appeared include the American Place Theater, Manhattan Theater Club, New York Theatre Workshop, Actors Theater of Louisville, Center Stage,

Yale Repertory Theater Yale Repertory Theatre at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut was founded by Robert Brustein, dean of Yale School of Drama, in 1966, with the goal of facilitating a meaningful collaboration between theatre professionals and talented student ...

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (formally known as the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, and commonly referred to as the Kennedy Center) is the United States National Cultural Center, located on the Potom ...

, Hartford Stage, Los Angeles Stage and Film, and Theatre De La Jeune Lune in Minneapolis starring in ''Farthest From The Sun'' with

Steve Guttenberg Steven Robert Guttenberg (born August 24, 1958) is an American actor, author, businessman, producer, and director. He is known for his lead roles in Hollywood films of the 1980s and 1990s, including '' Cocoon'', ''Police Academy'', ''Three Men a ...

. In 1987, he played a hitchhiker in the horror film ''

Creepshow 2 ''Creepshow 2'' is a 1987 American comedy horror anthology film directed by Michael Gornick, and the sequel to ''Creepshow''. Gornick was previously the cinematographer of the first film, and the screenplay was written by George A. Romero who was ...

''. Wright co-starred in the feature films '' Barbershop'' and '' Barbershop 2: Back in Business'' with

Ice Cube An ice cube is a small piece of ice, which is typically rectangular as viewed from above and trapezoidal as viewed from the side. Ice cubes are products of mechanical refrigeration and are usually produced to cool beverages. They may be produc ...

. He also co-starred with

Angela Bassett Angela Evelyn Bassett (born August 16, 1958) is an American actress. She had her breakthrough with her portrayal of singer Tina Turner in the biopic ''What's Love Got to Do with It'' (1993), which garnered her a nomination for the Academy Award ...

as her ex-lover in '' Sunshine State'', his fifth film with writer/director

John Sayles John Thomas Sayles (born September 28, 1950) is an American independent film director, screenwriter, editor, actor, and novelist. He has twice been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, for ''Passion Fish'' (1992) and ''L ...

. The other four Sayles films include: ''

Passion Fish ''Passion Fish'' is a 1992 American drama film written and directed by John Sayles. The film stars Mary McDonnell, Alfre Woodard, Vondie Curtis-Hall, David Strathairn, Leo Burmester, and Angela Bassett. It tells the story of a soap opera star, ...

'', '' City of Hope'', ''

Matewan ''Matewan'' () is a 1987 American drama film written and directed by John Sayles, and starring Chris Cooper (in his film debut), James Earl Jones, Mary McDonnell and Will Oldham, with David Strathairn, Kevin Tighe and Gordon Clapp in suppor ...

'' and ''

The Brother from Another Planet ''The Brother from Another Planet'' is a 1984 American science fiction film, written and directed by John Sayles. The low-budget film stars Joe Morton as an extraterrestrial trapped on Earth. Plot A mute space alien crash-lands his ship on Elli ...

''. Since then he co-starred in another Sayles feature, '' Honeydripper''. In 2000, Wright won the Best Actor Award at the Santa Monica Film Festival for his portrayal of John Shed in the indie film ''Dumbarton Bridge''. He has played roles on several television programs but is best known for playing Mr. Morgan, Yankees co-worker of character George Costanza (

Jason Alexander Jay Scott Greenspan (born September 23, 1959), known professionally as Jason Alexander, is an American actor, comedian, host and director. An Emmy and Tony winner, he is best known for his role as George Costanza in the television series '' Se ...

) on ''

Seinfeld ''Seinfeld'' ( ) is an American television sitcom created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld. It aired on NBC from July 5, 1989, to May 14, 1998, over nine seasons and List of Seinfeld episodes, 180 episodes. It stars Seinfeld as Jerry Seinfeld ( ...

''; and the hybrid alien Tuvix in the '' Star Trek: Voyager'' episode "

Tuvix "Tuvix" is the 40th episode (24th in Star Trek: Voyager (season 2), the second season) of the science fiction television program ''Star Trek: Voyager''. The episode originally aired on May 6, 1996, and tells the story of Tuvok and Neelix being ...

Filmography

Film

* ''Deadbeat'' (1977) as Old Man * ''Red Italy'' (1979) as Unknown * ''

Underground U.S.A. ''Underground U.S.A.'' is a 1980 feature-length underground film directed by Eric Mitchell and starring Patti Astor, Rene Ricard, Jackie Curtis, Cookie Mueller, Tom Wright, John Lurie, and Taylor Mead. Future director Jim Jarmusch was the sound ...

'' (1980) as Frank * '' Subway Riders'' (1981) as On The Waterfront * ''

I Ought to Be in Pictures ''I Ought to Be in Pictures'' is a comedy drama play written by Neil Simon, his 18th. The play opened on Broadway in 1980. It was subsequently made into a film, released in 1982. The play involves a film screenwriter who has abandoned his famil ...

'' (1982) as Baseball Fan #6 * '' The Soldier'' (1982) as Businessman * ''

Alphabet City Alphabet City is a neighborhood located within the East Village in the New York City borough of Manhattan. Its name comes from Avenues A, B, C, and D, the only avenues in Manhattan to have single-letter names. It is bounded by Houston St ...

'' (1984) as Chauffeur * ''

'' (1984) as Sam * ''

Exterminator 2 ''Exterminator 2'' is a 1984 American action thriller film written and directed by Mark Buntzman (with additional scenes directed by William Sachs), starring Robert Ginty, Mario Van Peebles, and Deborah Geffner, with cameos by Arye Gross in his de ...

'' (1984) as Youth * ''

Mugsy's Girls ''Mugsy's Girls'' (also known as ''Delta Pi'') is a 1984 film starring pop singer Laura Branigan and Ruth Gordon about a sorority that travels to Las Vegas to enter a mud wrestling competition in order to raise the money to save their house. The ...

'' (1984) as Party Heckler * '' Streetwalkin''' (1985) as Henchman #1 * ''

'' (1987) as The Hitchhiker (segment "The Hitchhiker") * ''

'' (1987) as Tom * ''

I'm Gonna Git You Sucka ''I'm Gonna Git You Sucka'' is a 1988 American blaxploitation parody film written, directed by, and starring Keenen Ivory Wayans in his directorial debut. Featured in the film are several noteworthy African-American actors who were part of the ...

'' (1988) as Brothel Man * ''

Troop Beverly Hills ''Troop Beverly Hills'' is a 1989 American comedy film. It is produced by the Weintraub Entertainment Group and directed by Jeff Kanew, starring Shelley Long, Craig T. Nelson, Betty Thomas, Mary Gross, Stephanie Beacham and introducing Jenny Lewi ...

'' (1989) as James Shakar * '' Heart of Dixie'' (1989) as Black Man At Concert * ''Vietnam War Story: The Last Days'' (1989) as Captain Berry (segment "The Last Outpost") * '' Reversal of Fortune'' (1990) as Jack * ''

Marked for Death ''Marked for Death'' is a 1990 American action film directed by Dwight H. Little. The film stars Steven Seagal as John Hatcher, a former DEA troubleshooter who returns to his Illinois hometown to find it taken over by a posse of vicious Jamaica ...

'' (1990) as Detective Charles Marks * ''Street Hunter'' (1990) as Riley * '' City of Hope'' (1991) as Malik * ''

Past Midnight ''Past Midnight'' is a 1991 Neo-noir thriller film (with slasher connections) starring Rutger Hauer and Natasha Richardson, as well as co-stars Tom Wright, Clancy Brown and Paul Giamatti (making his first credited screen appearance). Plot Pa ...

'' (1991) as Lee Samuels * '' Dead in the Water'' (1991) as Hotel Clerk * ''

'' (1992) as Luther * '' Acting on Impulse'' (1993) as Dave Byers * ''

Weekend at Bernie's II ''Weekend at Bernie's II'' is a 1993 American black comedy film written and directed by Robert Klane. It is the sequel to Klane's 1989 comedy '' Weekend at Bernie's''. Andrew McCarthy, Jonathan Silverman and Terry Kiser reprise their roles. The ...

'' (1993) as Charles * '' Men of War'' (1994) as Jamaal * ''

Forget Paris ''Forget Paris'' is a 1995 American romantic comedy film produced, directed, co-written by and starring Billy Crystal as an NBA referee and Debra Winger as an independent working woman whose lives are interrupted by love and marriage. It also st ...

'' (1995) as Tommy * ''

Tales from the Hood ''Tales from the Hood'' is a 1995 American comedy horror anthology film directed by Rusty Cundieff and executive-produced by Spike Lee. The film presents four short urban-themed horror stories based on problem concepts that affect the African-Am ...

'' (1995) as Martin Moorehouse * '' Excessive Force II: Force on Force'' (1995) as Grant Thompson * ''

White Man's Burden "The White Man's Burden" (1899), by Rudyard Kipling, is a poem about the Philippine–American War (1899–1902) that exhorts the United States to assume colonial control of the Filipino people and their country.Hitchens, Christopher. ''Bloo ...

'' (1995) as Lionel * ''

Invasion of Privacy The right to privacy is an element of various legal traditions that intends to restrain governmental and private actions that threaten the privacy of individuals. Over 150 national constitutions mention the right to privacy. On 10 December 194 ...

'' (1996) as Devereux - Theresa's Attorney * ''

My Fellow Americans ''My Fellow Americans'' is a 1996 American political comedy film directed by Peter Segal. It stars Jack Lemmon and James Garner as feuding ex-presidents, with Dan Aykroyd, Lauren Bacall, Esther Rolle, John Heard, Wilford Brimley, Bradley Whi ...

'' (1996) as Secret Service Agent Jim * ''Playing Dangerous 2'' (1996) as Alton Broom * ''

Gridlock'd ''Gridlock'd'' is a 1997 American black comedy crime film written and directed by Vondie Curtis-Hall and starring Tupac Shakur, Tim Roth, Lucy Liu, and Thandiwe Newton. It was the directorial debut of Curtis-Hall, who also has a small role in t ...

'' (1997) as Koolaid * '' Menno's Mind'' (1997) as Jor Norwell, Execuited Rebel (uncredited) * ''

Murder at 1600 ''Murder at 1600'' is a 1997 American action thriller film directed by Dwight Little and starring Wesley Snipes and Diane Lane. Plot In a restroom in the White House, a janitor finds secretary Carla Town dead. Metropolitan Police homicide detect ...

'' (1997) as Secret Service Agent Cooper * '' Palmetto'' (1998) as John Renick * ''

The Pentagon Wars ''The Pentagon Wars'' is a 1998 HBO military comedy film directed by Richard Benjamin and based on the book ''The Pentagon Wars: Reformers Challenge the Old Guard'' by Colonel James G. Burton, United States Air Force, about the development of t ...

'' (1998, TV Movie) as Major William Sayers * ''

Funny Valentines ''Funny Valentines'' is a 1999 American drama film directed by Julie Dash and starring Alfre Woodard. It is based on J. California Cooper's short story of the same name. The film was produced by Starz! Pictures and released in selected theatres ...

'' (1999) as Dr. Thomas Holder * ''Dumbarton Bridge'' (1999) as John Shed * ''

Chain of Command A command hierarchy is a group of people who carry out orders based on others' authority within the group. It can be viewed as part of a power structure, in which it is usually seen as the most vulnerable and also the most powerful part. Milit ...

'' (2000) as Secret Service Agent Burke * ''

The Prime Gig ''The Prime Gig'' is a 2000 film directed by Gregory Mosher, starring Vince Vaughn, Julia Ormond, and Ed Harris. ''The Prime Gig'' debuted at the Venice, London, and Los Angeles film festivals, and was released directly to DVD in September 2001. ...

'' (2000) as Marvin Sanders * ''Pursuit of Happiness'' (2001) as Thom * ''Alex in Wonder'' (2001) as Sebastian * ''Layover'' (2001) as Detective Mills * ''The Keyman'' (2001) as 'Popeye' * ''Contagion'' (2002) as Tom Brenner * ''

P.S. Your Cat Is Dead ''P.S. Your Cat Is Dead'' is a novel by James Kirkwood Jr., originally published in 1972, adapted from his play. The book and play later were adapted to film in 2002. Synopsis Abandoned by his girlfriend on New Year's Eve, and still unaware tha ...

'' (2002) as Fred Gable * '' Sunshine State'' (2002) as 'Flash' Phillips * '' Barbershop'' (2002) as Detective Williams * '' Lady Jayne: Killer'' (2003) as Detective Stan * '' Hangman's Curse'' (2003) as Dan Carillo * ''White Rush'' (2003) as Detective Brandt * '' Barbershop 2: Back in Business'' (2004) as Detective Williams * ''In Your Eyes'' (2004) as Phil * ''The Gunman'' (2004) as Captain Carlton * ''Dynamite'' (2004) as Stan * '' Chasing Ghosts'' (2005) as Tom Shields * ''American Fusion'' (2005) as Dr. Lee / Lethal Killah * ''A Year and a Day'' (2005) as Pryor * '' Rampage: The Hillside Strangler Murders'' (2006) as Detective Bryant * '' The Darwin Awards'' (2006) as Detective #2 * ''

World Trade Center World Trade Centers are sites recognized by the World Trade Centers Association. World Trade Center may refer to: Buildings * List of World Trade Centers * World Trade Center (2001–present), a building complex that includes five skyscrapers, a ...

'' (2006) as Officer Reynolds * ''Striking Range'' (2006) as John Hatem * '' Sinner'' (2007) as Officer Thomas * '' Live!'' (2007) as Dr. Raymond Boyd * '' Honeydripper'' (2007) as 'Cool Breeze' * ''

The Onion Movie ''The Onion Movie'' (released in some countries as ''News Movie'') is a 2008 American comedy film written by ''The Onion'' writers Robert D. Siegel and Todd Hanson. It was filmed in 2003 and released on June 3, 2008 direct-to-video. The film was ...

'' (2008) as Kwame Roberts * ''B.O.H.I.C.A.'' (2008) as Horowitz * '' The Imposter'' (2008) as 'Popeye' * ''The Cursed'' (2010) as Willie Gar * '' Burning Palms'' (2010) as Maxwell Barron * ''BoyBand'' (2010) as Pete * ''Rift'' (2011) as Lietenant Neal * '' A Beautiful Soul'' (2012) as Brother Anthony Clark * ''Starting from Scratch'' (2013) as Stan 'Homeless Stan' * ''Stanley DeBrock'' (2013) as Atticus * ''Things Never Said'' (2013) as Daniel * ''

Beyond the Lights ''Beyond the Lights'' is a 2014 American romantic drama film directed and written by Gina Prince-Bythewood. The film stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Nate Parker, Minnie Driver, Machine Gun Kelly, and Danny Glover. The film premiered at the 2014 Toronto I ...

'' (2014) as Reverend Brown * ''Sin Verite'' (2014) as Francis Vigneri * ''

Stockholm, Pennsylvania ''Stockholm, Pennsylvania'' is a 2015 drama film directed by Nikole Beckwith, as her directorial and film-writing debut. The film premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. The screenplay was awarded the 2012 Nicholl Fellowship from Academy of ...

'' (2015) as Detective Timms * '' The Diabolical'' (2015) as Curtis * '' Runaway Island'' (2015) as Raymond Tepper * ''Storage Locker 181'' (2016) as Harris * ''

Rebirth Rebirth may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Film * ''Rebirth'' (2011 film), a 2011 Japanese drama film * ''Rebirth'' (2016 film), a 2016 American thriller film * ''Rebirth'', a documentary film produced by Project Rebirth * ''The Re ...

'' (2016) as The Expert * ''South32'' (2016) as Sergeant Kake * '' Message from the King'' (2016) as Waylon * ''The Secrets of Emily Blair'' (2016) as Detective Gorodetsky * ''Within'' (2016) as Detective Pascal * '' Transformers: The Last Knight'' (2017) as Military Attache #1 * ''The Neighborhood'' (2017) as Jim 'Bourbon' Beam * ''

Higher Power Higher Power is a term used in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other twelve-step programs. The same groups use the phrase "a power greater than ourselves" synonymously. The term sometimes refers to a supreme being or deity, or other conceptions of G ...

'' (2018) as Tom David, Talk Show Host * ''Spell'' (2018) as Edmund * ''The Divorce Party'' (2019) as Sacks * ''#Truth'' (2019) as Donald Cooper

TV appearances

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Wright, Tom 1952 births African-American male actors American male film actors American male stage actors American male television actors Living people Male actors from New Jersey People from Englewood, New Jersey West Chester University alumni 20th-century American male actors 21st-century American male actors 20th-century African-American people 21st-century African-American people