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Edward Allen Harris (born November 28, 1950) is an American actor and filmmaker. His performances in Apollo 13 (1995), The Truman Show (1998), Pollock (2000), and The Hours (2002) earned him critical acclaim and Academy Award nominations.

Ed Harris
Harris in 2017
Born
Edward Allen Harris

(1950-11-28) November 28, 1950 (age 73)
Alma mater
Occupations
  • Actor
  • filmmaker
Years active1975–present
Spouse
(m. 1983)
Children1

Harris has appeared in numerous leading and supporting roles, including in Creepshow (1982), The Right Stuff (1983), The Abyss (1989), State of Grace (1990), Glengarry Glen Ross (1992), The Firm (1993), Needful Things (1993), Nixon (1995), The Rock (1996), Stepmom (1998), The Truman Show (1998), A Beautiful Mind (2001), Enemy at the Gates (2001), Radio (2003), A History of Violence (2005), Gone Baby Gone (2007), National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007), Snowpiercer (2013), Mother! (2017), The Lost Daughter (2021), and Top Gun: Maverick (2022). In addition to directing Pollock, Harris also directed the Western film Appaloosa (2008).

In television, Harris is notable for his roles as Miles Roby in the miniseries Empire Falls (2005) and as United States Senator John McCain in the television movie Game Change (2012); the latter earning him the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film. He starred as the Man in Black in the HBO science fiction-Western series Westworld (2016–2022), for which he earned a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.

Early life

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Harris was born at Englewood Hospital in Englewood, New Jersey, and grew up in the New York City suburb of Tenafly, New Jersey,[1] the son of Margaret (née Sholl), a travel agent, and Robert L. "Bob" Harris (1922–2014), who sang with the Fred Waring chorus and worked at the bookstore of the Art Institute of Chicago.[2] Ed has an older brother, Robert and a younger brother, Paul.[2] Ed grew up in a middle-class Presbyterian family.[3][4] His parents were from Oklahoma.[5] He graduated from Tenafly High School in 1969, where he had played on the football team and served as the team's captain in his senior year.[6][7]

A star athlete in high school,[1] Ed Harris played varsity football at Columbia University and was a teammate of future United States Attorney General Eric Holder.[8][9] At Columbia, where he said he succumbed to the "Morningside Heights blues" after two years, he was a resident in Carman Hall.[10] When his family moved to New Mexico two years later, Harris followed, having discovered his interest in acting in various theater plays. He enrolled at the University of Oklahoma to study drama.[1] After several successful roles in local theaters (such as the Jewel Box Theater[11][12] in Oklahoma City), he moved to Los Angeles and enrolled at the California Institute of the Arts, where he spent two years and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1975.[1]

Career

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Early plays

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Harris began his career on the stage. In 1976, he played an FBI agent in the world premiere of Thomas Rickman's play Baalam at the Pasadena Repertory Theatre located at the historic The Hotel Carver. He followed that at the Pasadena Repertory Theatre in 1976 playing Lot in the West Coast premiere of Tennessee Williams' play Kingdom of Earth (aka The Seven Descents of Myrtle).[13] Harris' first film role came in 1978 with a minor part in the suspense film Coma, starring Geneviève Bujold and Michael Douglas. His first major role in a film came two years later with Borderline (1980), in which he starred alongside Charles Bronson. In 1981, Harris played the lead as motorcycler William "Billy" Davis, (a role modeled after King Arthur), in Knightriders, directed by George A. Romero. The following year, he had a small role as Hank Blaine in Creepshow, also directed by Romero.[14]

Television roles

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From the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s, Harris found steady work on television. He had a role in one episode of Gibbsville (1975), in one episode of Delvecchio (1977), in one episode of The Rockford Files (1978), in one episode of David Cassidy: Man Undercover (1978), two episodes of The Seekers (1979),[15] one episode of Barnaby Jones (1979), one episode of Paris (1980), three episodes of Lou Grant (1979, 1980, and 1981), one episode of CHiPs (1981), one episode of Hart to Hart (1981),[16] one episode of Cassie & Co. (1981), and one episode of American Playhouse (1984).[17]

1980s

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In 1983, Harris became well known after portraying astronaut John Glenn in The Right Stuff.[1][18] In 1984, he co starred in the Robert Benton directed drama film Places in the Heart; during production of this film, Harris met and married his wife Amy Madigan.[19][20][21]

Also in 1984 he co-starred along with Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell in the Jonathan Demme directed World War II biopic Swing Shift[22] and in 1985 played abusive husband Charlie Dick to Jessica Lange's Patsy Cline in the HBO film Sweet Dreams.[23] In 1986, he received a Tony Award nomination in the Best Actor in a Play category for his role in George Furth's Precious Sons.[24][25] He also won the Theatre World Award and Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play for his performance.[26] Harris then portrayed William Walker, a 19th-century American who appointed himself President of Nicaragua, in Walker (1987).[27] That same year, he played Harry Nash in the HBO television thriller film The Last Innocent Man.[28]

In 1988, he acted in Agnieszka Holland's To Kill a Priest, starring Christopher Lambert, based on Jerzy Popiełuszko and his murder under the Polish communist regime. It was well received by critics.[29] In 1989, his role as David "Dave" Flannigan in Jacknife earned him his first Golden Globe Award nomination, for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture.[30] Also in 1989, he portrayed Virgil "Bud" Brigman in the sci fi film The Abyss, directed by James Cameron.[31]

1990s

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In 1992, Harris co starred as Dave Moss in the drama film Glengarry Glen Ross, based on the play of the same name by David Mamet.[32] He won the Valladolid International Film Festival Award for Best Actor for his performance in the film.[33] He next appeared in the films The Firm (1993)[34] and Needful Things (1993),[35] before portraying the lead role of Kyle Bodine in the neo noir film China Moon (1994).[36]

In 1995, Harris portrayed Watergate figure E. Howard Hunt in the Oliver Stone biopic Nixon. He received his first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as NASA Apollo Mission Control Director Gene Kranz in Apollo 13.[1][18] In 1996, Harris starred in and was executive producer for the television adaptation of Riders of the Purple Sage.[37] That same year, he returned to Broadway as Major Steve Arnold in the Ronald Harwood play Taking Sides.[18] In 1998, his co starring role in The Truman Show earned him a second nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor,[38] and won him a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture.[39]

2000s

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Harris made his directorial debut in 2000 with the drama biopic Pollock, in which he also starred as artist Jackson Pollock.[40] He was nominated for his first Academy Award for Best Actor (his third Oscar nomination overall,) for his performance.[41] To prepare for the role, he built a small studio in which to copy the painter's techniques.[42] Two years later, Harris was nominated for his fourth Academy Award (third in the Best Supporting Actor category) for his role as Richard Brown in the British American drama film The Hours.[43]

In between the two Oscar nominated roles, he appeared in the biographical drama A Beautiful Mind (2001)[44] and portrayed German sniper Major Erwin König in the war thriller Enemy at the Gates (2001).[45] In 2002, he appeared in adverts for the Vauxhall Vectra in the United Kingdom.[46]

 
Harris at the 2005 Toronto International Film Festival

For his lead role as Miles Roby in the 2005 miniseries Empire Falls, Harris was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film.[47] Also that year, he played a vengeful mobster in David Cronenberg's A History of Violence (2005) starring Viggo Mortensen. In 2006, he portrayed composer Ludwig van Beethoven in the film Copying Beethoven,[48] and starred in the television documentary film The Armenian Genocide as American diplomat Leslie Davis. He next appeared alongside Casey Affleck and Morgan Freeman in the Ben Affleck directed neo noir mystery film Gone Baby Gone (2007).[49] Harris then co-starred as antagonist Mitch Wilkinson in National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007), alongside Nicolas Cage.[50] In 2008, he co wrote, directed and starred along with Viggo Mortensen in the western, Appaloosa.

2010s

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In 2010, he and wife Amy Madigan appeared together in Ash Adams' independent crime drama Once Fallen. Later that same year Harris starred in the survival drama The Way Back as Mr. Smith. His performance received much critical praise, and he was suggested by critics to receive a fifth Oscar nomination.[51] Also in 2010, he portrayed the role of Jason Hudson in Call of Duty: Black Ops. In 2012, he co-starred alongside Sam Worthington in the thriller film Man on a Ledge for Summit Entertainment.[52] He then won the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film and was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie for his performance as Senator John McCain in the HBO made for television drama Game Change.[53] In 2013, he appeared in the western thriller Sweetwater,[54] and starred opposite Annette Bening in the romantic drama film The Face of Love.[55] Harris then voiced Mission Control in Alfonso Cuarón's space epic Gravity (2013), starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney.[56] In 2015, he portrayed the title character in the film version of the Shakespeare tragedy Cymbeline.[57] In 2016, he appeared alongside Madigan and Taissa Farmiga in The New Group's revival of Sam Shepard's Buried Child, for which he was nominated for the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play.[58][59]

In 2016, he also began playing the villainous Man in Black in HBO's sci-fi thriller series Westworld,[60] and had a co-starring role in the ensemble cast of Warren Beatty's romantic comedy drama Rules Don't Apply, with Lily Collins and Alden Ehrenreich. In 2017, he appeared in Dean Devlin's sci-fi film Geostorm, alongside Gerard Butler and Andy García.[61] Harris had been previously set to star in Alejandro González Iñárritu's Starz drama series The One Percent with Hilary Swank and Ed Helms.[62] Harris co-starred in Darren Aronofsky's horror film Mother! (2017), alongside Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Domhnall Gleeson.[63] Harris also starred in the 2017 movie Kodachrome. His performance was widely regarded as one of the film's highlights.[64]

In 2019, Harris took over the role of Atticus Finch in Aaron Sorkin's stage adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird on Broadway.[65] The role was previously played by original cast member Jeff Daniels.[66]

2020s

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In 2022, Harris played Rear Admiral Chester "Hammer" Cain in the blockbuster film Top Gun: Maverick. Harris was in the film Love Lies Bleeding as Lou Sr. in 2024.

Personal life

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Harris married actress Amy Madigan on November 21, 1983, while they were filming Places in the Heart together. They have one daughter, Lily Dolores Harris (born May 3, 1993).[67]

On March 21, 1999, during the 71st Academy Awards, Harris along with Amy Madigan openly showed disdain for Elia Kazan, who had received an Academy Honorary Award, by staying in their seats and not applauding. This was due to Kazan's testimony before the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1952, naming his friends from the Group Theatre as communists resulting in their being blacklisted, for which Kazan had never given an apology.[68]

On March 20, 2012, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) merged to form a new union, SAG-AFTRA. Harris, along with others including Edward Asner, Martin Sheen, Valerie Harper, Michael Bell, and Wendy Schaal, were opposed to the merger and sued SAG President Ken Howard and several SAG Vice Presidents, seeking to have the merger undone. They were unsuccessful.[69] The lawsuit was dismissed on May 22, 2012.[70]

Harris has a reputation for being serious on the film set. He told a journalist in 2006, "I don't like bullshittin' ... so, I guess that comes across as serious."[8] On March 13, 2015, he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, located at 6712 Hollywood Boulevard, for his work in motion pictures.[71][72] Harris received an honorary degree from Muhlenberg College on May 17, 2015.[73]

New York magazine once described Harris as "the thinking woman's sex symbol".[74]

Filmography

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Awards and nominations

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Harris has received numerous accolades including two Screen Actors Guild Awards and two Golden Globe Awards. He has also received nominations for four Academy Awards, two BAFTA Awards, three Primetime Emmy Awards and a Tony Award.

Harris has been recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the following performances:

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "Ed Harris". Inside the Actors Studio. Bravo.
  2. ^ a b Barnes, Mike (February 16, 2014). "Bob L. Harris, Father of Actor Ed Harris, Dies at 91". The Hollywood Reporter.
  3. ^ Stein, Ruthe (January 9, 2000). "Ed Harris Has the Righteous Stuff, Too: Actor plays a particularly convincing priest in 'The Third Miracle'". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved December 10, 2007.
  4. ^ Pearlman, Cindy (February 6, 2000). "Love the sinner: Harris repents for 'money' roles". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved December 10, 2007.
  5. ^ Koenenn, Joseph C. (March 16, 1986). "Ed Harris: Inhabiting his characters". Newsday. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
  6. ^ Rohan, Virginia (June 18, 2007). "North Jersey-bred and talented too". The Record. Retrieved January 17, 2024. Ed Harris: Class of 1969, Tenafly High School.
  7. ^ Stein, Ruthe (March 25, 2001). "They're Ready For Their Close-Ups: Camped out at Oscars, the starstruck wait to sneak a peek". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved May 31, 2007. She's hoping to score a seat near the front and catch the eye of Oscar nominee Ed Harris, who went to Tenafly High School in New Jersey with her mother.
  8. ^ a b Kachka, Boris (October 9, 2006). "Man, Oh, Man Ed Harris is not a control freak. Got that?". New York.
  9. ^ "1971 Columbia Football: The Cardiac Kids". Columbia University Athletics. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  10. ^ Denby, David (September 19, 1983). "Ed Harris". New York Magazine. p. 48.
  11. ^ Thompson, Ryan. "Method Man: Ed Harris". The Rake. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
  12. ^ NPR Staff (March 8, 2014). "The Unforgettable Performance Ed Harris Doesn't Remember". NPR. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
  13. ^ McKittrick, Chris (February 28, 2020). "Ed Harris on Building a Character and His Take on Becoming an Actor". Daily Actor. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  14. ^ Kennedy, Michael (May 29, 2020). "Every Future Movie Star in Creepshow". Screen Rant. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  15. ^ King, Susan (July 4, 1993). "Retro : Patriot Frames : Fourth of July Week Is Full of Settlers, Seekers and Tall Tales". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  16. ^ "4-Time Oscar Nominee Ed Harris Receives Star On Walk Of Fame". March 13, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  17. ^ Koehler, Robert (March 22, 1992). "STAGE : Examining the 'Scar' Tissue : With his film career on hold and his birthdays mounting, Ed Harris returns to the theater and a role that is making him review his life". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  18. ^ a b c Nassour, Ellis (October 16, 1996). "Ed Harris Seeks the Man Behind the Uniform". Playbill.
  19. ^ Canby, Vincent (September 21, 1984). "'Places in the Heart,' Benton's Waxahachie in the Depression". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  20. ^ "Ed Harris to make West End debut". BBC News. September 2, 2016. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  21. ^ "Ed Harris. Biography, news, photos and videos". Hello Magazine. October 8, 2009. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  22. ^ Canby, Vincent (April 13, 1984). "Goldie Hawn in Comedy, 'Swing Shift'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  23. ^ Maslin, Janet (October 2, 1985). "Film: Jessica Lange in 'Swwet Dreams'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  24. ^ "List of Nominees for 1986 Tony Awards With PM-Tonys". AP NEWS. May 6, 1986. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  25. ^ Paulson, Michael (June 13, 2019). "Ed Harris to Succeed Jeff Daniels in 'To Kill a Mockingbird' on Broadway". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  26. ^ "Ed Harris: Performer". Playbill. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
  27. ^ Canby, Vincent (December 4, 1987). "Film: 'Walker,' Starring Ed Harris". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  28. ^ O'Connor, John J. (April 17, 1987). "Tv Weekend; 'the Last Innocent Man' on Hbo". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  29. ^ To Kill a Priest, October 13, 1989, retrieved April 8, 2018
  30. ^ Ebert, Roger (March 24, 1989). "Jacknife Movie Review & Film Summary". RogerEbert.com.
  31. ^ Hibberd, James (November 29, 2016). "Ed Harris Discusses His 9 Best Movie Roles". Entertainment. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  32. ^ "'Glengarry Glen Ross': THR's 1992 Review | Hollywood Reporter". The Hollywood Reporter. October 2, 2017. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  33. ^ Moore, Linda (November 4, 1992). "'Long Day,' 'Leolo' top Valladolid". Variety. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  34. ^ Canby, Vincent (June 30, 1993). "Review/Film: The Firm; A Mole in the Den of Corrupt Legal Lions". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  35. ^ "MOVIE REVIEW : Villainy Controls 'Needful Things' : The film adaptation of Stephen King's bestseller delivers ideas as well as jolts, and a juicy satanic turn by Max Von Sydow, even as it muffles the story's main point". Los Angeles Times. August 27, 1993. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  36. ^ Levy, Emanuel (January 17, 1994). "China Moon". Variety. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  37. ^ Everett, Todd (January 15, 1996). "Riders of the Purple Sage". Variety. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  38. ^ "The Truman Show – 1998 Academy Awards Profile". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
  39. ^ Fleeman, Michael (January 24, 1999). "'Private Ryan', Spielberg Win Golden Globes". The Washington Post.
  40. ^ Fleming, Michael (March 29, 1999). "Harris sets 'Pollock' as directorial debut". Variety. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  41. ^ Helmore, Edward (February 25, 2001). "Ed Harris: The ultimate splasher movie". The Guardian.
  42. ^ Harrison, Helen A. (February 16, 2001). "Recreating Pollock, Gingerly". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  43. ^ Michael, David (February 12, 2003). "Ed Harris – The Hours Interview". BBC News.
  44. ^ Scott, A. O. (December 21, 2001). "FILM REVIEW; From Math To Madness, And Back". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  45. ^ Sragow, Michael (March 16, 2001). "'Enemy at the Gates' is right on target War movie is right on target Review: With Jude Law as a Russian sniper, 'Enemy at the Gates' keeps its eye on the big picture even when focusing on the small scene". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  46. ^ "Ad of the Week: Vauxhall puts Vectra on trial". www.telegraph.co.uk. June 18, 2002. Archived from the original on January 10, 2022. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
  47. ^ Hernandez, Ernio (May 28, 2005). "Philip Seymour Hoffman and Paul Newman Star in "Empire Falls" HBO Film, Debuts May 28–29". Playbill.
  48. ^ "How Ed Harris learned Beethoven". BBC News. November 2, 2006.
  49. ^ "Ed Harris Joins Ben Affleck's 'Gone, Baby, Gone'". MovieWeb. April 20, 2006.
  50. ^ Brevet, Brad (March 28, 2007). "Mirren and Harris Join 'National Treasure 2'". ComingSoon.net.
  51. ^ Lopez, John (November 11, 2010). "Could Ed Harris Finally Win an Oscar for The Way Back?". Vanity Fair.
  52. ^ McNary, Dave (October 29, 2010). "Ed Harris joins Summit's 'Man on a Ledge'". Variety.
  53. ^ Rose, Lacey (March 23, 2011). "Ed Harris to Play John McCain in HBO's 'Game Change'". The Hollywood Reporter.
  54. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (April 17, 2012). "January Jones And Ed Harris Star In 'Sweetwater'". Deadline Hollywood.
  55. ^ McClintock, Pamela (February 8, 2011). "Diane Keaton, Ed Harris to Star in 'Look of Love'". The Hollywood Reporter.
  56. ^ Cochran, Amanda (March 8, 2014). "Did you spot Ed Harris in "Gravity"?". CBS News.
  57. ^ Kroll, Justin (August 5, 2013). "Ed Harris to Co-Star With Ethan Hawke in 'Cymbeline'". Variety.
  58. ^ Gerard, Jeremy (October 8, 2015). "'American Horror Story's Taissa Farmiga Joins Ed Harris, Amy Madigan In 'Buried Child' Revival". Deadline Hollywood.
  59. ^ Kroll, Justin (January 30, 2015). "James Franco Assembles Cast for Adaptation of 'In Dubious Battle'". Variety.
  60. ^ Stedman, Alex (August 11, 2014). "Ed Harris Joins HBO's 'Westworld' as Key Villain". Variety.
  61. ^ Kit, Borys (August 15, 2014). "Jim Sturgess, Abbie Cornish in Talks to Join Gerard Butler in 'Geostorm' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter.
  62. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (July 22, 2014). "Ed Helms, Hilary Swank & Ed Harris In Talks To Star In Alejandro González Iñárritu's MRC Series 'One Percent'". Deadline Hollywood.
  63. ^ McNary, Dave (April 15, 2016). "Domhnall Gleeson, Michelle Pfeiffer Join Jennifer Lawrence in Darren Aronofsky Drama". Variety.
  64. ^ "Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on April 19, 2018.
  65. ^ "Ed Harris to Replace Jeff Daniels in To Kill a Mockingbird on Broadway". Broadway.com. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
  66. ^ "Ed Harris to succeed Jeff Daniels as Atticus Finch in Broadway's 'To Kill a Mockingbird'". EW.com. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
  67. ^ "Biography: Ed Harris". Lifetime. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
  68. ^ Goldstein, Patrick (March 22, 1999). "Many Refuse to Clap as Kazan Receives Oscar". Los Angeles Times.
  69. ^ Handel, Jonathan (February 27, 2012). "SAG/AFTRA Anti Merger Lawsuit Drops Demands". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  70. ^ Handel, Jonathan (May 22, 2012). "Dismissal Formalized in SAG-AFTRA Merger Lawsuit". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  71. ^ Saval, Malina (March 13, 2015). "Ed Harris Receives Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame". Variety. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  72. ^ "Ed Harris". Hollywood Walk of Fame. Retrieved September 21, 2016.
  73. ^ "Dr. Ronald Crutcher, national leader in higher education, announced as Commencement Speaker". Muhlenberg College. April 29, 2015. Archived from the original on May 3, 2015.
  74. ^ "'Wrecks' Actor Ed Harris Is Not a Control Freak". NY Mag: 2. September 28, 2006. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
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