Jason Thomas Butler Harner (born October 9, 1970) is an American actor.
Life and career
Harner was born in
Elmira, New York
Elmira () is a city and the county seat of Chemung County, New York, United States. It is the principal city of the Elmira, New York, metropolitan statistical area, which encompasses Chemung County. The population was 26,523 at the 2020 censu ...
and grew up in suburban
Northern Virginia
Northern Virginia, locally referred to as NOVA or NoVA, comprises several counties and independent cities in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. It is a widespread region radiating westward and southward from Washington, D.C. Wit ...
Arena Stage
Arena Stage is a not-for-profit regional theater based in Southwest, Washington, D.C. Established in 1950, it was the first racially integrated theater in Washington, D.C. and its founders helped start the U.S. regional theater movement. It is ...
. His middle name Butler is his mother’s maiden name. He graduated from
T. C. Williams High School
Alexandria City High School (formerly named T. C. Williams High School) is a public high school in the City of Alexandria, Virginia, United States, just outside of Washington, D.C. The school has an enrollment of over 4,100 students. The high s ...
,
Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria is an independent city in the northern region of the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States. It lies on the western bank of the Potomac River approximately south of downtown Washington, D.C.
In 2020, the population was 159,467. ...
, in 1988. Although Harner was the president of his high school drama club, he spent his time building sets rather than acting since many of his relatives were carpenters or plumbers.
At 17, after graduating from high school, he worked as an usher at the Eisenhower Theater, part of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
He graduated from VCU with a
Bachelor of Fine Arts
A Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) is a standard undergraduate degree for students for pursuing a professional education in the visual, fine or performing arts. It is also called Bachelor of Visual Arts (BVA) in some cases.
Background
The Bachel ...
in acting in 1992. After graduating from VCU, he was an apprentice at Actors Theatre of Louisville; he subsequently moved to New York City and received a
Master of Fine Arts
A Master of Fine Arts (MFA or M.F.A.)
is a terminal degree in fine arts, including visual arts, creative writing, graphic design, photography, filmmaking, dance, theatre, other performing arts and in some cases, theatre management or arts ...
Tisch School of the Arts
The New York University Tisch School of the Arts (commonly referred to as Tisch) is the performing, cinematic and media arts school of New York University.
Founded on August 17, 1965, Tisch is a training ground for artists, scholars of the a ...
in 1997. Harner returned to VCU as a Master Teacher during their 2007-08 Guest Artist program.
Harner completed filming for '' Changeling'' in December 2007. He played
Gordon Stewart Northcott
Gordon Stewart Northcott (November 9, 1906 – October 2, 1930) was a Canadian serial killer, child rapist, and child abductor who was convicted of the murders of three young boys in California and confessed to the murders of nine in total.
Se ...
, a
serial killer
A serial killer is typically a person who murders three or more persons,A
*
*
*
* with the murders taking place over more than a month and including a significant period of time between them. While most authorities set a threshold of three ...
John Adams
John Adams (October 30, 1735 – July 4, 1826) was an American statesman, attorney, diplomat, writer, and Founding Fathers of the United States, Founding Father who served as the second president of the United States from 1797 to 1801. Befor ...
'' as
Oliver Wolcott, Jr.
Oliver Wolcott Jr. (January 11, 1760 – June 1, 1833) was an American politician and judge. He was the second United States Secretary of the Treasury, a judge of the United States Circuit Court for the Second Circuit, and the 24th Governor of Co ...
, the second
United States Secretary of the Treasury
The United States secretary of the treasury is the head of the United States Department of the Treasury, and is the chief financial officer of the federal government of the United States. The secretary of the treasury serves as the principal a ...
. Harner had a guest role on the pilot for ''
Fringe
Fringe may refer to:
Arts
* Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the world's largest arts festival, known as "the Fringe"
* Adelaide Fringe, the world's second-largest annual arts festival
* Fringe theatre, a name for alternative theatre
* The Fringe, the ...
'', which premiered in September 2008 on Fox. He was cast as the regular character Silas Hunton on the cable series ''Possible Side Effects'', until Showtime cancelled the series in April 2008. He plays Associate Warden Elijah Bailey "E.B." Tiller on the Fox series ''
Alcatraz
Alcatraz Island () is a small island in San Francisco Bay, offshore from San Francisco, California, United States. The island was developed in the mid-19th century with facilities for a lighthouse, a military fortification, and a military pris ...
'' which debuted in January 2012.
He made his London theater debut in February 2010 in the Lanford Wilson play ''Serenading Louie'' at
Donmar Warehouse
The Donmar Warehouse is a 251-seat, not-for-profit theatre in Covent Garden, London, England. It first opened on 18 July 1977.
Sam Mendes, Michael Grandage and Josie Rourke have all served as artistic director, a post held since 2019 by Mi ...
,
London, England
London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a major se ...
. During his stay in London, Harner read
Michael Chabon
Michael Chabon ( ;
born May 24, 1963) is an American novelist, screenwriter, columnist, and short story writer. Born in Washington, DC, he spent a year studying at Carnegie Mellon University before transferring to the University of Pittsburgh, gr ...
's ''Manhood for Amateurs'' on BBC ''Book of the Week'' in April 2010.
Theatrical career
* 1990: In ''What I Did Last Summer'' play by
A. R. Gurney
Albert Ramsdell Gurney Jr. (November 1, 1930 – June 13, 2017) (sometimes credited as Pete Gurney) was an American playwright, novelist and academic. He is known for works including '' The Dining Room'' (1982), '' Sweet Sue'' (1986/7), and '' T ...
(Shafer Street Theatre,
Richmond, Virginia
(Thus do we reach the stars)
, image_map =
, mapsize = 250 px
, map_caption = Location within Virginia
, pushpin_map = Virginia#USA
, pushpin_label = Richmond
, pushpin_m ...
).
* May 1994: In ''Loved Less (The History of Hell)'' play by Brian Jucha (Via Theater Downtown Art Company,
New York City, New York
New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the Un ...
).
* 1997: In ''Hydriotaphia, or the Death of Dr. Browne'' play by
Tony Kushner
Anthony Robert Kushner (born July 16, 1956) is an American author, playwright, and screenwriter. Lauded for his work on stage he's most known for his seminal work ''Angels in America'' which earned a Pulitzer Prize and a Tony Award. At the turn ...
.
* June 1997: Plays Sir Henry Guildford/Page/Garter/King of Arms ''
Henry VIII
Henry VIII (28 June 149128 January 1547) was King of England from 22 April 1509 until his death in 1547. Henry is best known for his six marriages, and for his efforts to have his first marriage (to Catherine of Aragon) annulled. His disa ...
'' play by
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare ( 26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...
New York Shakespeare Festival
Shakespeare in the Park (or Free Shakespeare in the Park) is a theatrical program that stages productions of Shakespearean plays at the Delacorte Theater, an open-air theater in New York City's Central Park. The theater and the productions ar ...
,
New York City, New York
New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the Un ...
).
* July 1998: Plays Demarais the servant in ''
Transit of Venus
frameless, upright=0.5
A transit of Venus across the Sun takes place when the planet Venus passes directly between the Sun and a superior planet, becoming visible against (and hence obscuring a small portion of) the solar disk. During a tr ...
Berkshire Theatre Festival
The Berkshire Theatre Festival is one of the oldest professional performing arts venues in the Berkshires, celebrating its 80th anniversary season in 2008.
History
The main building of the Berkshire Theatre Festival was originally the Stockbridge ...
,
Stockbridge, Massachusetts
Stockbridge is a town in Berkshire County in Western Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 2,018 at the 2020 census. A year-round resort area, Stockbridge is ...
)
* October 1999: Plays Donalbain/Murderer in ''
Macbeth
''Macbeth'' (, full title ''The Tragedie of Macbeth'') is a tragedy by William Shakespeare. It is thought to have been first performed in 1606. It dramatises the damaging physical and psychological effects of political ambition on those w ...
'' play by
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare ( 26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...
New York Shakespeare Festival
Shakespeare in the Park (or Free Shakespeare in the Park) is a theatrical program that stages productions of Shakespearean plays at the Delacorte Theater, an open-air theater in New York City's Central Park. The theater and the productions ar ...
,
New York City, New York
New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the Un ...
Manhattan Theatre Club
Manhattan Theatre Club (MTC) is a theatre company located in New York City, affiliated with the League of Resident Theatres. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Lynne Meadow and Executive Producer Barry Grove, Manhattan Theatre Club has ...
Stage I,
New York City, New York
New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the Un ...
).
* January 2000: Plays Young Housman opposite
James Cromwell
James Oliver Cromwell (born January 27, 1940) is an American actor and activist. Some of his best-known films include '' Babe'' (1995), '' Star Trek: First Contact'' (1996), ''L.A. Confidential'' (1997), '' The Green Mile'' (1999), '' The Queen' ...
in the American premiere of ''
The Invention of Love
''The Invention of Love'' is a 1997 play by Tom Stoppard portraying the life of poet A. E. Housman, focusing specifically on his personal life and love for a college classmate. The play is written from the viewpoint of Housman, dealing with his ...
'' play by
Tom Stoppard
Sir Tom Stoppard (born , 3 July 1937) is a Czech born British playwright and screenwriter. He has written for film, radio, stage, and television, finding prominence with plays. His work covers the themes of human rights, censorship, and polit ...
(
American Conservatory Theater
The American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) is a nonprofit theater company in San Francisco, California, United States, that offers both classical and contemporary theater productions. It also has an attached acting school.
History
The Americ ...
,
San Francisco, California
San Francisco (; Spanish for " Saint Francis"), officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the commercial, financial, and cultural center of Northern California. The city proper is the fourth most populous in California and 17t ...
).
* September 2000: Plays Johnny Boyle in ''Juno and the Paycock'' play by Seán O'Casey (Gramercy Theatre,
New York City, New York
New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the Un ...
).
* April 2001: Plays Barnett opposite Amy Ryan in ''Crimes of the Heart'' play by Beth Henley (Second Stage Theatre,
New York City, New York
New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the Un ...
).
* February 2003: Plays David Craig in ''Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme'' play by Frank McGuinness (Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater,
New York City, New York
New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the Un ...
).
* September 2003: Plays Hamlet in ''Hamlet'' play by
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare ( 26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...
(Dallas Theater Center, Dallas, Texas).
* January 2004: Plays Ed in ''Five Flights'' play by Adam Bock (Rattlestick,
New York City, New York
New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the Un ...
).
* April 2004: Plays Harlequin/Tyler/Stage Crew in ''Mr. Fox: A Rumination'' play by Bill Irwin (Peter Norton Space,
New York City, New York
New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the Un ...
).
* August 2004: Plays Tom Wingfield opposite Sally Field in ''The Glass Menagerie'' play by Tennessee Williams (The Kennedy Center, Washington, DC).
* September 2004: Plays Tesman opposite Elizabeth Marvel in ''Hedda Gabler'' play by Henrik Ibsen (New York Theatre Workshop,
New York City, New York
New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the Un ...
).
* April 2005: Plays David in ''Orange Flower Water'' play by Craig Wright (playwright), Craig Wright (Theater for the New City,
New York City, New York
New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the Un ...
).
* June 2005: Plays Young Anton/Burt Sarris opposite John Glover (actor), John Glover in ''The Paris Letter'' play by Jon Robin Baitz (Laura Pels Theatre,
New York City, New York
New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the Un ...
).
* November 2005: Plays Tad Rose in ''The Ruby Sunrise'' opposite Marin Ireland, Richard Masur and Maggie Siff play by Rinne Groff ( Joseph Papp Public Theater/Martinson Hall,
New York City, New York
New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the Un ...
).
* March 2006: Plays Trofimov opposite Annette Bening and Alfred Molina in ''The Cherry Orchard'' play by Anton Chekhov (Mark Taper Forum, Los Angeles, California).
* October 2006: Plays Sterling opposite Dylan Baker, Joanna Gleason, Brian d'Arcy James, David Rakoff and Joey Slotnick in ''The Cartells: A Prime Time Soap . . . Live'' play by Douglas Carter Beane (Drama Dept. and Comix,
New York City, New York
New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the Un ...
).
* November 2006: Plays Ivan Turgenev in the trilogy ''The Coast of Utopia: Voyage'', ''The Coast of Utopia: Shipwreck'', and ''Coast of Utopia: Salvage'' plays by
Tom Stoppard
Sir Tom Stoppard (born , 3 July 1937) is a Czech born British playwright and screenwriter. He has written for film, radio, stage, and television, finding prominence with plays. His work covers the themes of human rights, censorship, and polit ...
(Lincoln Center Theater,
New York City, New York
New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the Un ...
).
* July 2007: Plays Hildy opposite Richard Kind in ''The Front Page'' play by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur (Williamstown Theatre Festival, Williamstown, Massachusetts).
* April 2009: Plays Brian opposite Bobby Cannavale, Jackie Hoffman, and Sarah Paulson in ''The Gingerbread House'' play by Mark Schultz (playwright), Mark Schultz (Rattlesticks Playwrights Theater,
New York City, New York
New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the Un ...
).
* August 2009: Plays central role of 'Stage Manager' in ''Our Town'' play by Thornton Wilder (Barrow Street Theatre,
New York City, New York
New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the Un ...
).
* February 2010: Plays Alex opposite Jason O'Mara in ''Serenading Louie'' play by Lanford Wilson (
Donmar Warehouse
The Donmar Warehouse is a 251-seat, not-for-profit theatre in Covent Garden, London, England. It first opened on 18 July 1977.
Sam Mendes, Michael Grandage and Josie Rourke have all served as artistic director, a post held since 2019 by Mi ...
,
London, England
London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a major se ...
).
* October 2010: Plays opposite Glenn Close, Victor Garber, John Benjamin Hickey, Joe Mantello, Jack McBrayer, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Patrick Wilson (American actor), Patrick Wilson in a staged reading of ''The Normal Heart'' directed by Joel Grey play by Larry Kramer (Walter Kerr Theatre, New York, New York).
* March 2011: Plays opposite Dennis Staroselsky in a staged reading of ''The Skin of Our Teeth'' directed by Anthony Rapp play by Thornton Wilder (Wimberly Theatre of the Boston Center for the Arts, Boston, Massachusetts).
* May 2011: Plays Martin opposite Carey Mulligan and Chris Sarandon in ''Through a Glass Darkly (film), Through a Glass Darkly'' directed by David Leveaux play by Jenny Worton based on film by Ingmar Bergman (New York Theatre Workshop, New York, New York).
* March–April 2016: Plays Rev. Samuel Parris in Arthur Miller's ''The Crucible'' opposite Ben Whishaw, Saoirse Ronan, and Jenny Jules, in production directed by Ivo van Hove (Walter Kerr Theatre, New York, New York).
Filmography
Films
Television
Other works
Harner narrates the audio book version of ''Dark prophecy: a Level 26 thriller featuring Steve Dark'', . The book is written by Anthony Zuiker and Duane Swierczynski.
Awards
* Nominated for a 2006 Drama Desk Award for the Laura Pels Theatre's production of ''The Paris Letter''.
* Received 2005 Obie Award for his performance in the controversial production of ''Hedda Gabler'' at New York Theatre Workshop.
References
External links
*
*
Jason Butler Harner at the Internet Off-Broadway Database
Jason Butler Harner at Broadway.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Harner, Jason Butler
1970 births
American male film actors
American male stage actors
Living people
People from Elmira, New York
Tisch School of the Arts alumni
20th-century American male actors
21st-century American male actors
American male television actors
Male actors from New York (state)
Male actors from Virginia
Virginia Commonwealth University alumni
T. C. Williams High School alumni