By transforming into his characters and pulling the audience in, Ed Harris has earned the reputation as one of the most talented actors of our time. Born in Tenafly, New Jersey, Harris grew up as the middle child. After graduating high school, he attended New York's Columbia University, where he played football. After viewing local theater productions, Harris took a sudden interest in acting. He left Columbia, headed to Oklahoma, where his parents were living, and enrolled in the University of Oklahoma's theater department. After graduation, he moved to Los Angeles to find work. He started acting in theater and television guest spots. Harris landed his first leading role in a film in cult-favorite George A. Romero's Knightriders. Two years later, he got his first taste of critical acclaim, playing astronaut John Glenn in The Right Stuff. Also that year, he made his New York stage debut in Sam Shepard's "Fool for Love", a performance that earned him an Obie for Outstanding Actor. Harris' career gathered momentum after that. In 2000, he made his debut as a director in the Oscar-winning film Pollock.


He won an Obie for "Fool For Love." Graduated from Tenafly High School in Tenafly, New Jersey. Other graduates have included Carol Potter and Michael Sorvino. He and Amy Madigan were married by a justice of the peace in Waxahachie, Texas, during the filming of Places in the Heart (1984). Often called "the thinking woman's sex symbol". Credits acting for helping him get over his shyness as a young man. Due to injuries he sustained while filming The Abyss (1989), he was almost unable to accept the role of Frankie Flannery in _State of Grace (1990)_. Was set to star in the Danny Boyle's firefighter drama "Worcester Cold Storage" with Woody Harrelson, but the project never came to fruition. Was nominated for Broadway's 1986 Tony Award as Best Actor (Play) for "Precious Sons." Son-in-law of John Madigan. Has three films on the American Film Institute's 100 Most Inspiring Movies of All Time. They are: A Beautiful Mind (2001) at #93, The Right Stuff (1983) at #19, and Apollo 13 (1995) at #12. Received an honorary diploma from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2003. He says his most embarrassing moment was modeling tuxedos at the Oklahoma State Fair in 1971. Lives in Malibu, California.