Graduated from South High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota in June of 1996, then attended SUNY in Purchase, New York. By April of 1997, he was offered the role of Michael Fitzgerald in the short-lived American television series Cracker: Mind Over Murder. Josh started off doing small plays and national commercials, but is beginning to break into the big-screen movie business with his starring role in Halloween H20: 20 Years Later.
Chosen as one of Teen People Magazine's "21 Hottest Stars Under 21." [1999] Born in San Francisco but grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota. Auditioned for Remember the Titans. Started a production company, Roulette Entertainment, with Elden Henson (Elden Ratliff). Has three younger siblings: Jessica, Jake, and Joe. He was caught supposedly robbing a Dairy Queen when he was 16 (he and his friends were actually making a short film). He went to high school with actress Rachael Leigh Cook. Was raised for the most part by his father, Daniel, and stepmother, Molly. His mother moved back to San Francisco after divorcing his father. Josh also attended Cretin-Derham Hall in St. Paul Minnesota before attending South High School. Josh was in a production of Tom Sawyer, he played the part of Huckleberry Finn. Recently moved back to Minnesota (March 2002). Quit football in high school because of an injured left knee. One of Teen People's 25 Hottest Stars under 25 (2002) One of People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People (2002) Was scheduled to speak at a political rally in support of Senator Paul Wellstone the weekend the Senator was killed along with 7 others in a plane crash. On October 26th 2002 (the day after the Senator's death), Hartnett appeared at a peace rally in St. Paul, Minnesota and spoke a few words in rememberance. Was set to star as Clark Kent/Superman in Wolfgang Petersen's Batman vs.Superman, but the project has been delayed until after Brett Ratner's X-Men film. Is a vegetarian. Josh is of of Swedish descent Was voted Bliss magazines 3rd sexiest male. Dated his childhood sweetheart Ellen Fenster. They had been together for a number of years and about a year ago, they bought a $2.5 million mansion together in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In February 2004 the two decided to go their separate ways. Was set to play the role of Tino in Deuces Wild but dropped out when he won the role of Danny Walker in Pearl Harbor. The Tino role eventually went to James Franco. Was considered for the role of Evan Treborn in The Butterfly Effect. Director Sofia Coppola directed both Josh and his girlfriend Scarlett Johansson, but not in the same movie. Scarlett was in Coppola's Lost in Translation and Josh starred in The Virgin Suicides. Is of Irish ancestry. Is a huge jazz fan. The film "Hero Wanted" was originally conceived as a starring vehicle for Josh Hartnett.