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Harold Perrineau

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Harold Perrineau
Perrineau in 2014
Born (1963-08-07) August 7, 1963 (age 61)
Other namesHarold Perrineau Jr.
Harold Williams
Alma materShenandoah University
OccupationActor
Years active1987–present
Spouse
Brittany Robinson
(m. 2002)
Children3, including Aurora

Harold Perrineau (born August 7, 1963) is an American actor. His breakout role was in the independent film Smoke (1995), for which he was nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male. He went on to appear as Mercutio in Romeo+Juliet (1996) and Link in The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions (both 2003). On television, he started as Augustus Hill in the HBO series Oz (1997–2003), Michael Dawson in the ABC television series Lost (2004–2010), and Sheriff Boyd Stevens in the MGM+ television series From (2022–present).

Perrineau has also appeared in the films The Edge (1997), The Best Man (1999), Woman on Top (2000), and 28 Weeks Later (2007). His other television credits include Sons of Anarchy (2012), Constantine (2014–2015), Claws (2017–2022), and The Rookie (2019–2021).

Early life

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Perrineau was born in Brooklyn, New York City.[1][2] His parents changed his name to Williams when he was a child, but he later changed it back, after discovering there was already a Harold Williams in the Screen Actors Guild.[3] He attended Shenandoah University and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.[1]

Career

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In 1989, Perrineau was cast as the original Tyrone Jackson in the world premiere of the stage adaptation of the 1980 hit movie Fame (now known as Fame: The Musical) at the Walnut Street Theatre, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[4] He took the role of Link in The Matrix series after the original operator Tank was written out of the script when Marcus Chong was fired over monetary disputes.[5] Lost co-star Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje starred with Perrineau on the HBO series Oz.

Perrineau played Michael Dawson on ABC's hit show Lost. He was temporarily written off when his character left the island with his son at the end of season two and did not appear in season three. In July 2007, it was announced he would return to the main cast for the show's fourth season.[6] However, the return was short-lived, as the fourth season was his last as a regular cast member. He made one guest appearance in the sixth and final season.[7][8]

Since his debut single "Stay Strong" in 2007 Perrineau has been working on his musical career. He actively collaborated with music producer Tomo in der Muhlen, known as DJ Tomo Tom Tom, on his debut album, Seeker. The first single, "Moving On", was released October 15, 2011. Perrineau has also done live shows where he performs with a full band: two guitars, bass, drums and keyboards. He performed at Los Angeles club The Mint in April 2010. Perrineau has appeared in MKTO's "Thank You" music video and J. Cole's "She Knows" music video.

Perrineau starred in 30 Days of Night: Dark Days with Rhys Coiro, Mia Kirshner, Kiele Sanchez, Diora Baird and Monique Ganderton.[9] Perrineau appeared in the 2008 music video "Yes We Can".[10]

Perrineau voiced the title character from Marvel's Blade anime series on G4 in January 2012. He was cast to play the character of Damon Pope, the main antagonist of season 5 of the hit show Sons of Anarchy.[11][12]

Perrineau starred as Stevie, the bass player, in the TBS comedy Wedding Band, which ran from 2012 to 2013.

Perrineau starred as Manny, an angelic messenger, in Constantine,[13] the short-lived 2015 television series based on the DC Comics/Vertigo character John Constantine.[citation needed]

He made his Broadway debut in the Roundabout Theatre Company production of Anton Chekov's The Cherry Orchard, adapted by Stephen Karam. The play ran from September 2016 to December 4, 2016. Perrineau played Lopakhin, with Diane Lane as Ranevskaya.[14][15] Also in 2016, Perrineau co-starred in the Amazon Studios legal series Goliath.

From 2017 to 2022, Perrineau played Dean, a man on the autism spectrum and the brother of Desna, in TNT's Claws. He won the award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series at the NAACP Awards.[16] Perrineau starred as a cop, Nick Armstrong, on The Rookie for most of season 2 and as a guest on season 3.[citation needed]

Personal life

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Perrineau has been married to Brittany Robinson, a former actress and model, since 2002. They have three daughters, including actress Aurora.[17][18]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1988 Shakedown Tommie
1990 King of New York Thug Leader
1991 Out for Justice King's Henchman (uncredited)
1995 Smoke Thomas "Rashid" Cole
Flirt Men's Room Man 1#
1996 Blood and Wine Henry
Romeo + Juliet Mercutio
1997 The Edge Steve
1998 Lulu on the Bridge Bobby Perez
Come to Joseph Short
1999 A Day in Black and White Black Man
Macbeth in Manhattan Chorus
The Best Man Julian Murch
2000 Woman on Top Monica Jones
Overnight Sensation Experienced PA
2001 Prison Song Uncle Cee
2002 On Line Moe Curley
2003 The Matrix Reloaded Link
The Matrix Revolutions Link
2007 28 Weeks Later Flynn
Garfield Gets Real Husband Voice, video
2008 Gardens of the Night Orlando
Ball Don't Lie Jimmy
Your Name Here Richard Roundtree
Felon Lieutenant Bill Jackson
2010 The Killing Jar John Smith
Case 219 Franklyn Bonner
30 Days of Night: Dark Days Todd Video
2011 Seeking Justice Jimmy
2012 Transit Losada
Sunset Stories Harold
Taking the Edge Off Short
Zero Dark Thirty Jack
2013 Snitch Assistant District Attorney Jeffrey Steele
Go for Sisters Wiley
Sexy Evil Genius Marvin Coolidge Video
The Best Man Holiday Julian Murch
The Championship Rounds Darryl Short
2014 Sabotage Investigator Darius Jackson
2015 Meet Me at a Funeral Jeffrey Short
2016 #FoundingFathers Short
2017 Stephanie Leader
The Bachelors Dr. Rollens
I'm Not Here Santana
2018 Virginia Minnesota Mister Voice
Cold Brook Gil Le Deux
Dumplin' Lee Wayne / Rhea Ranged
2022 Without Ward Lord Voraz Esquire

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1986–1987 Fame Fame Dancer Recurring role (season 6)
1989 The Cosby Show Scott Episode: "The Dead End Kids Meet Dr. Lotus"
1990 CBS Schoolbreak Special Curtis Episode: "Flour Babies"
Law & Order Jordan Hill Episode: "Out of the Half-Light"
1991 The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd Singer Episode: "Here's a Neat Way to Tie Up the Loose Ends"
1991–1993 I'll Fly Away Robert Evans Recurring role
1993 Law & Order Kenny Rinker Episode: "Virus"
1994 The Cosby Mysteries Junior Vansen Episode: "Camouflage"
1995 New York News Benny 2 episodes
1997 ER Isaac Price Episode: "Freak Show"
Living Single Walter Jackson Episode: "Forgive Us Our Trespasses"
1997–2003 Oz Augustus Hill Main role
1998 The Tempest Ariel TV movie
1999 Saturday Night Live Augustus Hill Episode: "Jerry Seinfeld/David Bowie"
2003 Spider-Man: The New Animated Series Louis Wyler/Turbo Jet Voice, episode: "Heroes and Villains"
Dead Like Me Aroun Levert Episode: "Rest in Peace"
2004–2010 Lost Michael Dawson Main role (seasons 12 & 4; guest: season 6)
2007 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Reverend Rhodes Episode: "Go to Hell"
Demons Mitch TV movie
2009 The Unusuals Detective Leo Banks Main role
2010 CSI: NY Reggie Tifford Episode: "Redemption"
The Whole Truth Paul Braun Episode: "Uncanny"
2012 Marvel Anime: Blade Blade Voice, main role
Phineas and Ferb Additional Voices Episode: "Where's Perry?"
Georgia Michael Main role
Sons of Anarchy Damon Pope Recurring role (season 5)
2012–2013 Wedding Band Stevie Main role
2013 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Brian Tremore Episode: "Secrets Exhumed"
2014 HitRecord on TV Himself Episode: "The Edge of Space"
Growing Up Fisher Fred Episode: "Pilot"
Z Nation Lieutenant Hammond Episode: "Puppies And Kittens"
Newsreaders Harold Perrineau Episode: "F- Dancing, Are You Decent?"
2014–2015 Constantine Manny Main role
2016 The Mysteries of Laura Charles Baptiste Episode: "The Mystery of the Morning Jog"
Goliath Judge Reston Keller Recurring role (season 1)
Full Circle Damon Houserman Main role (season 3)
Poor Richard's Almanack Matt TV movie
2017 Criminal Minds Calvin Shaw Recurring role (season 12)
2017–2022 Claws Dean Simms Main role
2018–2019 Star Bobby Brooks Recurring role (season 3)
2019–2021 The Rookie Nick Armstrong Recurring role (seasons 2–3)
2020 The Good Doctor Wes Keeler Episode: "Fixation"
2022–present From Boyd Stevens Main role
2022 The Best Man: The Final Chapters Julian "Murch" Murchison Main role

Video games

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Year Title Role Notes
2003 Enter the Matrix Link Voice
2004 The Matrix Online Link Voice

Awards and nominations

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Year Awards Category Work Outcome
1996 Independent Spirit Awards Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male Smoke Nominated
2000 NAACP Image Awards NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture The Best Man Nominated
2006 Screen Actors Guild Awards Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Lost Won
2020 NAACP Image Awards NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Claws Won
2022 Saturn Awards Saturn Award for Best Actor in a Network or Cable Television Series From Nominated

References

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  1. ^ a b Lee, Luaine (November 6, 2012). "Cop's bullet set him on the path to acting". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on September 1, 2022. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
  2. ^ Handler, Rachel (September 10, 2020). "Harold Perrineau Answers Every Question We Have About Romeo + Juliet". Vulture. Archived from the original on September 1, 2022. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
  3. ^ Perrineau, Harold (August 7, 2019). "Harold Perrineau on Twitter: "Actual fact, I was Born Harold Perrineau."". Twitter. Archived from the original on September 7, 2022. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
  4. ^ "History of "Fame: The Musical" Productions". Famenetwork.com. Archived from the original on August 14, 2016. Retrieved September 21, 2012.
  5. ^ Wilkinson, Peter (January 12, 2006). "The Mystery of Larry Wachowski". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 4, 2010. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  6. ^ "TCA: ABC's McPherson Pressed Into Divulging Lost News". Media Week. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved July 25, 2007.
  7. ^ "Lost Illusions: The Untold Story of the Hit Show's Poisonous Culture". Vanity Fair. May 30, 2023. Archived from the original on May 31, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  8. ^ "Damon Lindelof 'Shocked and Appalled' Over 'Lost' Racism and Toxic Workplace Allegations: 'I Failed' to Provide Safety and Comfort". Variety. May 30, 2023. Archived from the original on May 31, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  9. ^ "30 Days of Night: Dark Days Casting News". Dreadcentral.com. October 20, 2009. Archived from the original on October 24, 2009. Retrieved September 21, 2012.
  10. ^ Kaufman, Gil (February 4, 2008). "Will.I.Am Gathers Common, Nick Cannon, Scarlett Johansson For Barack Obama Video". Mtv.com. Archived from the original on September 16, 2010. Retrieved September 21, 2012.
  11. ^ "Harold Perrineau Cast as Damon Pope on Sons of Anarchy". Tvfanatic.com. May 18, 2012. Archived from the original on September 1, 2022. Retrieved September 21, 2012.
  12. ^ Michael Ausiello (May 18, 2012). "Sons of Anarchy Exclusive: Lost's Harold Perrineau Joins Cast as Big Bad Damon Pope". Tvline.com. Archived from the original on September 29, 2022. Retrieved September 21, 2012.
  13. ^ Piepenburg, Erik (February 18, 2022). "Harold Perrineau Finds His Way". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on March 20, 2023. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  14. ^ "Perrineau Broadway" Archived November 7, 2022, at the Wayback Machine, ibdb.com, accessed October 17, 2016
  15. ^ Viagas, Robert. "See What the Critics Said About 'The Cherry Orchard' on Broadway" Archived September 4, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, Playbill, October 16, 2016
  16. ^ Hunter, Samantha (July 9, 2019). "'Claws' Star Harold On Playing An Autistic Black Man, The Fate Of 'Star' And Interracial Marriage". BET. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
  17. ^ Finn, Natalie; Rosenbaum, Claudia (May 31, 2008). "Lost's Perrineau Uncovers Child No. 2". E! Online. Archived from the original on September 1, 2022. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
  18. ^ Takeda, Allison (March 21, 2013). "Harold Perrineau, Wife Brittany Welcome Third Daughter, Holiday Grace". Us Weekly. Archived from the original on September 1, 2022. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
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