Harry Lennix
| Harry Lennix | |
|---|---|
Lennix at the 2013 San Diego Comic-Con
| |
| Born | Harold Joseph Lennix III November 16, 1964 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Education | Northwestern University |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1983–present |
| Spouse | Djena Graves (m. 2009) |
Harold Joseph Lennix III[1] (born November 16, 1964) is an American actor noted for extensive work on screen and stage.[2] He is known for his roles as Terrence "Dresser" Williams in the Robert Townsend film The Five Heartbeats (1991) and as Boyd Langton in the Fox science-fiction series Dollhouse. Lennix co-starred as Harold Cooper, assistant director of the FBI Counterterrorism Division, on the NBC drama The Blacklist. Lennix also played J'onn J'onzz/Calvin Swanwick/Martian Manhunter in the DC Extended Universe films Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Zack Snyder's Justice League.
He was nominated for the 2025 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his role in Purpose. The Chicago Crusader and Northwestern University called Lennix, "one of Chicago's favorite sons."[3][4]
Early life
The youngest of four siblings, Lennix was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Lillian C. (née Vines), a laundry worker, and Harry Lennix Jr., a machinist.[5][6] His mother was African-American and his father was Creole from Louisiana.[7]
Lennix attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary South and intended to become a priest. His first play was with the seminary.[8] After a few weeks at seminary, he changed paths to Northwestern University "to pursue a girl", and settled on career choice in drama and majored in Acting and Direction.[9] In his senior year at Northwestern, he was the coordinator of the African-American student organization, For Members Only.[10]
Career
Teaching and Career Beginnings
Lennix taught music for Chicago Public Schools for eight years. While in school himself and teaching, he commuted two hours between Englewood for teaching and then performances in plays at night. He continued acting training and performed at the Goodman Theatre and Steppenwolf Theatre.[9]
TV and Film
Lennix's first film role was in The Package (1989), which was a Chicago production.[9]
Lennix starred in the film Titus (1999), based on Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus, as Aaron the Moor, the secret lover of the Queen of the Goths;[11] in the Showtime Networks television film Keep the Faith, Baby (2002) as reverend and Congressman Adam Clayton Powell Jr.; and in the ABC television series Commander in Chief. For ten seasons, Lennix co-starred in the role of Harold Cooper, assistant director of the FBI Counterterrorism Division, on the NBC drama The Blacklist (2013–2023).
In film, Lennix has had supporting roles such as The Five Heartbeats (1991), Comfortably Numb (1995), Get on the Bus (1996) in which he plays the lover of a gay ex-Marine played by Isaiah Washington, Love & Basketball (2000), The Matrix series (1999–2004), Ray (2004), Barbershop 2: Back in Business (2004), Stomp the Yard (2007), and State of Play (2009).
In television, he had a recurring role in Diagnosis: Murder as Agent Ron Wagner as well as a guest voice role as Mar Londo in the Legion of Super Heroes episode "Timber Wolf". He also had a recurring role in the sixth season of 24 as Muslim civil rights activist Walid Al-Rezani. He appeared on the series House M.D. as a paralyzed legendary jazz trumpet player, and in six episodes of ER as Dr. Greg Fischer.[12] He also appeared in the episode "The Blame Game" of the first season of Ally McBeal. He played the parts of Boyd Langton in Joss Whedon's series Dollhouse[13] and U.S. president Barack Obama in the comedy sketch show Little Britain USA.
In 2007, he was an official festival judge at the first annual Noor Iranian Film Festival.
In 2010, Lennix had planned to star in an African-diasporic film version of Macbeth, with director Aleta Chappelle and tentatively also starring Terence Howard, Sanaa Lathan, Blair Underwood, and Danny Glover.[14]
Also in 2012, Lennix produced and starred in the lead role in several film productions (see Producer-Actor Projects below) including H4, a modernized Shakespeare film adaptation of Henry IV, Mr. Sophistication which is about a stand-up comedian, and the biblical story Revival!.
In 2015, Lennix appeared in Chi-Raq, directed by Spike Lee. Lennix called the film "brave and bold", as it addresses "the violence that’s happening right now in Chicago".[15] Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice in 2016 featured Lennix reprising the role of Calvin Swanwick from 2013's Man of Steel, both directed by Zack Snyder. Lennix made an additional appearance as Swanwick in Snyder's version of Justice League, released in 2021.
Producer-actor projects
In July 2014, Lennix formed his own production company Exponent Media Group (EMG) along with long time business partner Steve Harris.[16][17] EMG had a distribution deal with NEHST studios for three of the company's titles: Mr. Sophistication (2012) (see below); H4 in (2012); and Revival! (2018).
In Mr. Sophistication (2012), Lennix plays a self-destructive stand-up comedian trying to make a comeback while also having trouble with his interracial marriage.[18] The part was written for Lennix by the director, Danny Green, after Green had observed Lennix dressing someone down.[19] Ebony said that the role resembles the late life of Richard Pryor. Lennix said that the "jerky" personality is based on director Green.[20] As preparation, Lennix studied Lenny Bruce, Dick Gregory, Bernie Mac (who Lennix had seen repeatedly previously in appearances at Milt Trenier's Lounge, a noted cabaret in Chicago[21][22]), Alonzo Bodden, but mostly Pryor.[20] Lennix had previously done some live improv including with Del Close (of Second City, The Committee, and Saturday Night Live) in the past, but never stand-up comedy.[23]
H4 (2012) is an adaptation of William Shakespeare's Henry IV, modernized to a Los Angeles setting while keeping much of the original language. Lennix plays King Henry IV. Keith David and Heavy D also appear.
Revival! (2018) is a gospel concert movie that Lennix has described as Jesus Christ Superstar meets The Wiz.[24] Lennix plays Pontius Pilate. Jesus is played by Mali Music. The cast also includes Chaka Khan as Herodia, the wife of Herod, and Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child.[3] Elaine Hegwood Bowen at The Chicago Crusader wrote, "It is magnificent in its vivid, rousing storytelling and vibrant costumes throughout."[3] A review by Jonita Davis at The Black Cape Magazine said the film is "like an Easter reunion for those of us who grew up in the Black pop culture and Black Church" and that it could "finally" replace Charlton Heston’s The Ten Commandments (1956) as the film to watch in the weeks before Easter.[25] Lauren Turner in a review at BRWC wrote, "A constant beat and thump of live music keeps the story moving between more serious scenes, punctuated by musical numbers and dance scenes. We’re not in Nazareth anymore," and said the singing is sometimes "cringe" though the original compositions are good."[26]
Theatre
Lennix has directed and appeared in numerous stage productions, including: Permanent Collection in 2005 with the Northlight Theater Company,[27][28] which was also presented at the Greenway Arts Alliance in Los Angeles and later directed by Lennis at LA's Kirk Douglas Theater. He directed the stage version of Robert Townsend's film The Five Heartbeats, which received three NAACP Theater Award nominations and The Glass Menagerie for Chicago's Steppenwolf Theater Company. Lennix made his Broadway debut in August Wilson's Tony-nominated play, Radio Golf, directed by Kenny Leon.[2] In 2009, Lennix directed The St. James Infirmary with the Congo Square Theatre Company at the Chicago Center for Performing Arts.[29][2]
Lennix played Malcolm X in a 1989 production of The Meeting, which earned him an Obie Award.[9] Lennix also performed the play years later.[30] Jack Helbig at the Chicago Reader said about the 1989 performance, "Harry J. Lennix’s uncanny impersonation of Malcolm X went a long way toward redeeming the play. Luckily, Lennix also has the gift of being able to make the most ridiculous lines sound real. “We are all pawns,” he says at one point, somehow convincing us that he is the first person ever to have thought of that."[31]
Lennix also starred as Levee in August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom at the Goodman Theater in 1997.[16][32] The production broke box office records.[33] For a later 2026 production in which Lennix returned to the same play and theatre as musical director, Lennix said:
August Wilson came to one of our preview performances [in 1997], wrote [director] Chuck Smith a note that 'I've never seen a better production of this, thank you.' It brings back ghosts, so I think it's haunted, it's fraught with drama, it's fraught with trauma, it's fraught with great music, great humor and also great pain, kind of like life. The play is set in Chicago, so we feel a special ownership, a proprietary pride in it. This is my home theater. This theater gave me my first equity job, while I was still in college, while I was at Northwestern.[34]
Lennix was the first recipient of an Ollie Award for his portrayal of Malcolm X at the Goodman Theater in Chicago, and received two Joseph Jefferson Citations for his roles in August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and Caught in the Act. He also starred as King Hedley II at the Mark Taper Forum in LA. In 2001, he was part of the first American company to be invited to the Royal Shakespeare Company.[2][8]
Lennix participated in the 2014 Chicago Humanities Festival and discussed the book “Black Theater is Black Life: An Oral History of Chicago Theater” with its author, Northwestern University professor Harvey Young.[35]
During the Chicago Goodman Theater's 2024–2025 season, Lennix played the role of Henry Drummond in the Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee play Inherit the Wind.[36]
Shakespeare Work and Scholarship
Lennix has numerous Shakespearean credits.[14] Lennix was also part of the first American company to be invited to the Royal Shakespeare Company, in 2001.[37]
In 2007, Lennix starred in the Steve Marvel-directed all-black version of Macbeth at the Lillian Theatre in Loss Angeles.[14]
Lennix has presented at Shakespeare symposiums in 2004, 2008, and 2010.[38] He has also written multiple scholarly publications[39] including an article in Weyward MacBeth: Intersections of Race and Performance (2009) and an interview in a special issue Shakespeare Bulletin in 2009, and specifically on the subject of race, Shakespeare, and contemporary relevance.[40][14] With Laurence Fishburne he has had numerous conversations and debates about Shakespeare, race, and performance.[41]
On the topic of his Henry IV adaptation H4 and Shakespeare in general, Lennix has said:
"When you have a white character played by a black person, the way that they arrive at a destination may be different, but the ultimate end is the same. If Shakespeare must be studied by every student in the English speaking world, and beyond, because of its universal relevant themes and characters, then if it is truly universal, why do I so rarely see anyone black doing it? So with H4 I'm saying that it is universal."[42]
"There are a lot of people who would think that Othello is a black Shakespeare film, but it's not. Othello is about one black guy in the midst of a bunch of people in Venice. So it's not really a black Shakespeare film. What I mean by black Shakespeare film is that for the first time, to my knowledge, on film, we have taken a Shakespearian play and placed in a recognizably black world experience. It's from the perspective of black people, acted primarily by black people, and it's from the black point of view." -Harry Lennix in 2013[43]
Music
In 2026, Lennix was the musical director for a production of August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.[44]
"When I watch [Lennix] work, there is a sort of jazz-inflected rhythm in [his] delivery and response with [his] fellow actors. Even [his] work in Shakespeare has a musical sensibility."
— Lennix’s collaborator, Northlight Theatre Company director BJ Jones[28]
Lennix learned to play the trumpet while working on August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. He also played the saxophone in a production and has played the piano in other theatrical roles.[9] Northlight Theatre Company director BJ Jones said that Lennix played jazz piano in the rehearsal room during a run of Permanent Collection (2005), and shared Red Garland CDs with him. A 2018 episode of the PBS series The History Makers contains video of Lennix playing piano with a band and singing on stage at an event.[45] In 2005, he played the part of a fictional legendary jazz musician in an episode of House.
Community Work
Lennix is developing a performing arts center in the Bronzeville of Chicago and has been given $26 million dollars from the state of Illinois for the project, which will include a "Lillian Marcie Center."[46] The facility is planned to include a museum and two performance spaces, one of about 350 seats and one of about 100 seats.[47][48]
The Illinois Broadcasters Association said that Lennix has a foundation, The Lennix Foundation, which "aims to support young artists and promote cultural enrichment within underprivileged communities."[49] In 2023, Lennix was awarded by HeartShare Human Services of New York for a "commitment to [...] community that transforms the landscape for underserved and marginalized populations."[50]
Personal life
In 2009, Lennix married business executive Djena Graves.[51][52]
Lennix is a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. He was initiated into the fraternity in November 2012 via the Theta Kappa Kappa graduate chapter in Evanston, Illinois.[53]
Lennix has given multiple college commencement speeches including 2006 at Santa Monica College (speech entitled "Do Not Stop, Do Not Slow Down") and 2008 at Arizona State University (speech entitled "Acting While Black").[39]
Acting credits
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | The Package | Johnny's Field Soldier | |
| 1991 | The Five Heartbeats | Dresser | |
| Victimless Crimes | Baker | ||
| 1992 | Bob Roberts | Franklin Dockett | |
| Mo' Money | Tom Dilton | Credited as Harry J. Lennix | |
| 1994 | Guarding Tess | Kenny Young | Credited as Harry J. Lennix |
| Notes in a Minor Key | Teddy | Short | |
| 1995 | Comfortably Numb | Hamlin Day | |
| Clockers | Bill Walker | ||
| 1996 | Get on the Bus | Randall | |
| 1997 | Chicago Cab | Pissed-Off Boyfriend | Credited as Harry J. Lennix |
| 1999 | The Unspoken | Reverend Bob | |
| Titus | Aaron | ||
| 2000 | Love & Basketball | Nathan Wright | |
| The Artist's Journey: Funk Blast | The Guide | ||
| All or Nothing | Jackson | Short | |
| American Temp | Fred Caesar | Short | |
| 2001 | Home Invaders | Himself | |
| 2002 | Pumpkin | Robert Meary | |
| Collateral Damage | FBI Agent Dray | ||
| Don't Explain | Lee | ||
| Never Get Outta the Boat | Brandon | Credited as Harry J. Lennix | |
| 2003 | Black Listed | Karl Bennett | Short |
| The Matrix Reloaded | Commander Lock | ||
| The Human Stain | Mr. Silk | ||
| The Matrix Revolutions | Lock | ||
| 2004 | Chrystal | Kalid | |
| Barbershop 2: Back in Business | Quentin Leroux | ||
| Suspect Zero | Rich Charleton | ||
| Ray | Joe Adams | ||
| 2005 | Trespass | Daddy | Short |
| 2006 | Shariff Don't Like It | Tom | |
| 2007 | Stomp the Yard | Nate | |
| Resurrecting the Champ | Bob Satterfield Jr. | ||
| Across the Universe | Army Sergaent | ||
| 2008 | Fly Like Mercury | Coach | |
| 2009 | State of Play | Detective Bell | |
| The Interview | Draco | Short | |
| 2012 | The Last Fall | Ron Davis | |
| H4 | King Henry IV | ||
| A Beautiful Soul | Jeff Freeze | ||
| 2013 | Evidence | Ben Tuttle | |
| Man of Steel | General Calvin Swanwick | ||
| They Die by Dawn | Sheriff Bass Reeves | ||
| Sunny and RayRay | Lenotti | ||
| Keep Pushing | Staff Sergeant Hoover | Short | |
| Mr. Sophistication | Ron Waters | Also producer | |
| 2014 | Cruel Will | Dr. Frances | |
| Cru | Diego Glass | ||
| The Algerian | Suleyman | ||
| Stand Down Soldier | Officer Freeman | ||
| 2015 | Justice League: Throne of Atlantis | Black Manta (voice) | Direct-to-video |
| 72 Hours | God | ||
| Back to School Mom | Lawrence Riley | ||
| Chi-Raq | Commissioner Blades | ||
| 2016 | Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice | Secretary of State Calvin Swanwick | |
| Macbeth Unhinged | Banquo | ||
| Timeless | Johnson | ||
| For the Love of Christmas | God | ||
| Retribution | Captain Tucker | ||
| Alternate Universe: A Rescue Mission | Principal Sheehan | ||
| 2017 | Needlestick | Ray LeGro | |
| Romeo and Juliet in Harlem | Capulet | ||
| 2018 | That's Harassment | Politician | Short |
| Rehabilition of the Hill | Davidson Livingston | ||
| Canal Street | DJ Terrance Palmer | ||
| Revival | Pilate | ||
| 2020 | Grey Streets | Cardinal Ford | Short |
| Emperor | Frederick Douglass | ||
| Lazaretto | Sufyan | Short | |
| 2021 | Zack Snyder's Justice League | Calvin Swanwick / Martian Manhunter | Director's cut of Justice League |
| The Almighty Street Team | Calvin James / Black Aizan | ||
| 2022 | Super Turnt | Mr. Denver | |
| Winter Ball | Eddie | ||
| Curse of the Macbeths | Banquo | ||
| Nothing is Impossible | Russell Banks | ||
| 2024 | Cutting Squares | Johnson / Self | |
| Isla Monstro | General Dregg | ||
| Godless | Bishop Rolland | ||
| TBA | L.A. 4ORCE † | Chi-town Harry | Post-production |
| Eyes in the Trees † | Dr. Murphy | Post-production |
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Jack and Mike | Fraternity Brother | Episode: "Personal Foul" |
| 1989 | A Mother's Courage: The Mary Thomas Story | Nero | Television film |
| 1990 | Perry Mason: The Case of the Defiant Daughter | Prosecutor Keith Warner | |
| 1992 | In the Best Interest of the Children | Tim Coffey | |
| 1994 | Vanishing Son 2 | Andre Laine | |
| Vanishing Son 4 | |||
| 1995–1996 | The Client | Daniel Holbrook | Recurring role |
| 1996 | The Parent 'Hood | Sergeant Rutledge | Episode: "Goodfella" |
| Murder One | David Bronson | Episode: "Chapter Eleven" | |
| 1997 | Mr. Parnell | Episode: "Chapter Ten, Year Two" | |
| Friends 'Til the End | Prof. Gunderson | Television film | |
| Too Close to Home | Prosecuting Attorney | ||
| Living Single | Clayton Simmons | Episode: "The Best Laid Plans" | |
| ER | Dr. Greg Fischer | Recurring role | |
| 1997–1998 | Diagnosis: Murder | Agent Ron Wagner | |
| 1998 | Ally McBeal | Ballard | Episode: "The Blame Game" |
| Since You've Been Gone | Jordan Cardozo | Television film | |
| Any Day Now | Garrett | Episode: "Unfinished Symphony" | |
| 1998 & 2003 | The Practice | Attorney Wayland Holmes / Asst. Attorney General Parker | Episodes: "The Pursuit of Dignity" & "Final Judgment" |
| 1999 | Judging Amy | Mr. Newman | Episode: "An Impartial Bias" |
| JAG | Agent John Nichols | Episode: "Contemptuous Words" | |
| St. Michael's Crossing | Pasternak | Episode: "CBS Pilot Knockin' on Heaven's Door" | |
| 2002 | Keep the Faith, Baby | Adam Clayton Powell Jr. | Television film |
| Girlfriends | Earl | Episode: "My Mother, Myself" | |
| 2003 | The Handler | DEA Handler | Episode: "Street Boss" |
| 2004 | Century City | Attorney Attwell | Episode: "Love and Games" |
| Second Time Around | Dr. Oakes | Episode: "For Better or Worse" | |
| 2005 | House | John Henry Giles | Episode: "DNR" |
| 2005–2006 | Commander in Chief | Jim Gardner | Main role |
| 2006 | Legion of Super Heroes | Mar Londo (voice) | Episode: "Timber Wolf" |
| 2007 | 24 | Walid Al-Rezani | Recurring role |
| 2008 | Little Britain USA | President of the United States | |
| 2009–2010 | Dollhouse | Boyd Langton | Main role |
| 2010 | Undercovers | Gary Bloom | Episode: "Funny Money" |
| 2011 | Law & Order: LA | Agent Bossy | Episode: "Plummer Park" |
| Hound Dogs | Skip | Television film | |
| 2012–2013 | Emily Owens, M.D. | Dr. Tim Dupre | Recurring role |
| 2013 | Always Night | Roger Banks | Miniseries |
| Quick Draw | Sheriff Matt Love | Episode: "Nicodemus" | |
| 2013–2023 | The Blacklist | Harold Cooper | Main role |
| 2014 | The Fright Night Files | Ronald | Television film |
| 2015 | The Marriage Tour | Mr. Wright | Recurring role |
| 2016–2023 | Billions | Frank Sacker / Franklin Sacker | |
| 2017 | The Blacklist: Redemption | Harold Cooper | Episode: "Whitehall" |
| Transformers: Robots in Disguise | Cyclonus, Galvatronus (voice) | Episodes: "Enemy of My Enemy" & "Freedom Fighters" | |
| 2018–2020 | Conrad | Don Brewer | Episodes: "Hangin' with Conrad" & "Pilot D.O.A" |
| 2018–2021 | Insecure | Marcus Walker | Guest; (season 3), recurring role; (season 5) |
| 2021 | A Christmas Together with You | Frank Emory | Television film |
| 2022 | American Masters | Orpheus Fisher (voice) | Episode: "Marian Anderson: The Whole World in Her Hands" |
| Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas | Boorman | Voice | |
| 2024 | Destination Heaven | God the Father | Miniseries |
| Diarra from Detroit | Walter Harley | Recurring role | |
| Young Love | Russell Young (voice) | ||
| 2026 | Boston Blue | Judge Elijah Robinson | |
| The Bear | James Brooks | Episode: "Caramel" |
Theater
| Year | Title | Role | Venue | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | The Meeting | Malcolm X | Chicago Theatre Company | Obie Award[9] |
| 1991 | The Great Gatsby | Jay Gatsby | Wisdom Bridge Theatre, Chicago | Adaptation (from the novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald) and direction by John Carlile.[55] |
| 1994 | Titus Andronicus | Aaron | .[56] Not to be confused with the 1999 film production Titus. | |
| 1997 | The Meeting | Malcolm X | South Shore Cultural Center, Paul Robeson Theater, and the Goodman Theatre | [30] |
| 1997 | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Levee | Goodman Theatre, Chicago | [57] |
| 2000 | A Raisin in the Sun | Goodman Theatre | [58] | |
| 2001 | Cymbeline | Iachimo | Royal Shakespeare Company | [56][8] |
| 2005 | Permanent Collection | Northlight Theatre Company | [59] | |
| 2007 | Radio Golf | Harmond Wilks | Cort Theatre (later renamed the James Earl Jones Theater) | [60][61] |
| 2016 | A Small Oak Tree Runs Red | (Director) | Congo Square Theatre at Athenaeum Theatre, Chicago | Written by Lekethia Dalcoe[62] |
| 2007 | Macbeth | (Los Angeles)[14][39] | ||
| 2024 | How I Learned What I Learned | August Wilson | Goodman Theatre and Congo Square[16] | A one-man autobiographical play by August Wilson[63] |
| 2024 | Inherit the Wind | Henry Drummond | Goodman Theatre | [64] |
| 2024 | Macbeth | Jardim Botânico de Lisboa, Portugal. Part of Open Air Shakespeare | [65] | |
| 2024 | Purpose | Solomon "Sonny" Jasper | Steppenwolf, Chicago | [66] |
| 2025 | Purpose | Solomon "Sonny" Jasper | Hayes Theater on Broadway, directed by Phylicia Rashad.[67] | Tony Award nomination |
| 2026 | The Taming of the Shrew | Petruchio | Unicorn Factory, in Beato, Lisbon (Portugal). Part of Open Air Shakespeare. | [68] |
| 2026 | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | (Musical Director) | Goodman Theatre, Chicago | [69][57] |
Video games
| Year | Title | Voice role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Enter the Matrix | Commander Jason Lock | Voice acting and full-motion video cutscenes |
| 2004 | The Matrix Online | Voice acting |
Radio
| Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | The Last Days of Cabrini-Green | Himself | Podcast series[70] |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Awards | Category | Recipient | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Satellite Awards | Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture | Titus | Won |
| 2003 | Black Reel Awards | Best Actor in a Television Movie/Miniseries | Keep the Faith, Baby | |
| NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Miniseries or Dramatic Special | Nominated | ||
| Satellite Awards | Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film | |||
| 2006 | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series | Commander in Chief | |
| 2025 | Tony Award | Best Actor in a Play | Purpose |
References
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- Back to citation Sanders, Hosea; Jordan, Marsha (2026). "Harry Lennix says new production of 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' will be revelation for new age". ABC 7 Chicago.
- Back to citation Editors (October 23, 2014). "Chicago Humanities Festival to Premiere New Footage of Roger Ebert in "Life Itself"". RogerEbert.com; "Black Theater is Black Life". Chicago Humanities Festival; "Past Festivals". Northwestern University Kaplan Humanities Institute.
- Back to citation Gans, Andrew (July 10, 2024). "Alexander Gemignani, Harry Lennix Will Inherit the Wind at the Goodman; Ian Barford, Helen Hunt to Explore Betrayal". Playbill. Retrieved August 23, 2025.
- Back to citation Newstok, Scott L. (2010). Weyward Macbeth. Palgrave MacMillan; Jones, Alison (November 26, 2001). "American blend in the Bard's back yard; Pioneering US actor Harry Lennix talks to Alison Jones about his passion for Shakespeare". The Birmingham Post (England); "St. James Infirmary". ABC 7 Eyewitness News. March 16, 2006.
- Back to citation Behrens, Web (November 5, 2004). "Shakespeare, but why?". Chicago Tribune; Newstok, Scott (March 7, 2010). "Greening Shakespeare in Memphis". Smart City Memphis. Archived from the original on July 3, 2022; Erickson, Peter (2010). "From Lear's Button to Harmond's Paintbrush". Transition. Let There Be Light (102). Indiana University Press: 68–90. doi:10.2979/trs.2010.-.102.68. JSTOR 10.2979/trs.2010.-.102.68. Archived from the original on January 1, 2010.
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- Back to citation Lennix, Harry J. (2010). "A Black Actor's Guide to The Scottish Play, Or, Why Macbeth Matters". Weyward Macbeth - Intersections of Race and Performance, Edited by Scott L. Newstok and Ayanna Thompson. Palgrave MacMillan.
- Back to citation Lennix, Harry; Fishburne, Laurence (2009). "Two Actors on Shakespeare, Race, and Performance: A Conversation between Harry J. Lennix and Laurence Fishburne". Shakespeare Bulletin. 27 (3 (Fall 2009)). The Johns Hopkins University: 399–414. doi:10.1353/shb.0.0106. JSTOR 26347781. “I was aware that Lennix and Fushburne have had previous conversations and debates about Shakespeare, race, and performance, I asked Lennix if he wouldn't mind having another conversation "on the record." He graciously agreed.”
- Back to citation Michael Roberts (October 14, 2013). "Harry Lennix' H4 world Premiers at the 2013 Chicago International Film Festival". Showbiz Chicago. Archived from the original on October 18, 2015. Retrieved September 6, 2014; Xaque Gruber (July 30, 2013). "The Many Faces of Harry Lennix". Huffington Post; Jacobs, Jay S. (October 18, 2013). "Harry Lennix - Exploring The Blacklist and the Bard". Pop Entertainment. Archived from the original on July 17, 2019.
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- Back to citation A Musical Evening With Harry Lennix. PBS. January 1, 2018.
- Back to citation Davis, Glenn (May 4, 2026). "Chicago 2050: Glenn Davis writes on the abundant future of Chicago theater". Chicago Tribune; "Actor Harry Lennix gets $26 million from Illinois for his 'Black version of Lincoln Center' in Bronzeville". Chicago Tribune. April 19, 2022; Bahadursingh, Nathaniel (2022-05-2). "Illinois grants $26 million to performing arts revitalization project in Chicago led by actor Harry Lennix". Archinect; Wisniewski, Mary (April 12, 2024). "A Mission in the Theater: An Interview with Harry Lennix". New City Stage; Roeder, David (September 14, 2021). "Actor with Chicago roots plans South Side performance space". Chicago Sun Times; DeShong, Bonnie (November 6, 2019). "The Lillian Marcie Center – A Conversation with Harry Lennix". Chicago Crusader; Styles, Wes (March 18, 2021). Harry Lennix talks Snyder Cut, Martian Manhunter, Chicago performing arts center [INTERVIEW]. WSOY (Radio). Central Illinois Media Group.
- Back to citation Roeder, David (September 14, 2021). "Actor with Chicago roots plans South Side performance space". Chicago Sun Times.
- Back to citation Nesbitt Golden, Jamie (April 20, 2022). "Bronzeville's Lillian Marcie Center, A 350-Seat Theater In The Works, Gets $26 Million In State Funding". Block Club Chicago.
- Back to citation {cite web |work=Illinois Broadcasters Association |url=https://ilba.org/awards/harry-j-lennix/ |title=Harry J. Lennix Profile
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- Back to citation Slater, Elias (March 30, 2022). "Actor Harry Lennix, National Black Church Initiative, And Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Partner With The Prostate Cancer Foundation To Raise Awareness Of Health Care Disparities". Prostate Cancer Foundation. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
- Back to citation Hume, Ashley (October 26, 2022). "'Matrix' star Harry Lennix on how studying to be a priest improved his acting". Fox News.
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- Back to citation "Museum quality drama". Chicago Tribune. February 5, 2005; "Q&A With ACTOR Harry Lennix". Northlight Theatre Company. Northlight Theatre. June 2, 2025; Barnidge, Mary Shen (February 9, 2005). "Theater: Permanent Collection". Windy City Times.
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- Back to citation Weiss, Hedy (June 5, 2016). "Congo Square conjures slavery's ghosts in 'A Small Oak Tree'". Chicago Sun Times.
- Back to citation Kasten, Edie (April 11, 2024). "Chicago actor Harry Lennix stars in August Wilson's one-man show "How I Learned What I Learned"". CBS News; Meha Ahmad and Sasha-Ann Simons (April 22, 2024). "Actor Harry Lennix on playing August Wilson: 'This is a story that must be told'". WBEZ Chicago; McClanathan, Emily (April 23, 2024). "Review: 'How I Learned What I Learned' by Congo Square is about the life and work of August Wilson". Chicago Tribune (Review); Rath, Julia. ""How I Learned What I Learned" reviewed by Julia W. Rath". Around the Town - Chicago; Sullivan, Catey (April 22, 2024). "Sublime 'How I Learned What I Learned' delves into life lessons that shaped August Wilson the writer and his works". Chicago Sun Times.
- Back to citation Fishman, Ted (September 30, 2024). "The Truths Still Resonate: A Review of "Inherit the Wind" at Goodman Theatre". New City Stage.
- Back to citation "Macbeth". JA International Theatre. 2024.
- Back to citation Davis, Mike (March 18, 2025). "All grown up, Steppenwolf's Black family drama 'Purpose' moves on Broadway". WBEZ Chicago; Stars and director of 'Purpose' talk dramatic Broadway show. Today. NBC Universal Media. March 3, 2025; Ponder, Reggie (August 18, 2025). "A Conversation with Harry Lennix: From Chicago Stages to Broadway's "Purpose"". N'Digo; Davis, Mike (May 1, 2025). "Steppenwolf's 'Purpose' nominated for Tony Awards for best new play, leading actor and actress". Chicago Sun-Times.
- Back to citation Davis, Mike (March 18, 2025). "All grown up, Steppenwolf's Black family drama 'Purpose' moves on Broadway". WBEZ Chicago; Stars and director of 'Purpose' talk dramatic Broadway show. Today. NBC Universal Media. March 3, 2025; Ponder, Reggie (August 18, 2025). "A Conversation with Harry Lennix: From Chicago Stages to Broadway's "Purpose"". N'Digo.
- Back to citation Duraes, Sara (May 2, 2026). "Back to where he belongs". The Portugal News; Duraes, Sara (April 9, 2026). "OpenAirShakespeare welcomes The Taming of the Shrew in Lisbon". The Portugal News; "The Taming of the Shrew". VisitLisboa.com. April 11, 2026; "THE TAMING OF THE SHREW in Lisbon at the Unicorn Factory April 11th & 12th". Open Air Shakespeare.
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- Back to citation "The Last Days of Cabrini-Green". Campside Media.
External links
- Harry Lennix at IMDb
- Harry Lennix at the Internet Off-Broadway Database (archived)
- Harry Lennix at the Internet Broadway Database