Hill Harper

Frank Eugene "Hill" Harper (born May 17, 1966) is an American actor and political candidate, known for his roles as Dr. Sheldon Hawkes in CSI: NY, Agent Spelman Boyle in Limitless, and Dr. Marcus Andrews in The Good Doctor.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Harper was a candidate in the Democratic Primary in the 2024 United States Senate election in Michigan to fill the seat of retiring incumbent, Senator Debbie Stabenow.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name = Frazier>Template:Cite news</ref>

Early life and education

Harper was born in Iowa City, Iowa, the son of two medical doctors. His parents, Harry D. Harper, a psychiatrist, and Marilyn Harper (née Hill), who was one of the first black practicing anesthesiologists in the United States and co-authored a book called Wearing Purple.<ref name="TVGbio">"Hill Harper: Biography, Latest News & Videos". TV Guide. Retrieved June 30, 2007.</ref><ref>Huntley, Kristine (January 25, 2006). "Hill Harper". CSI Files. Retrieved May 10, 2007.</ref><ref>Lynn (May 4, 2007). "Hill Harper is Much More Than Meets the Eye". EveryJoe.com. Retrieved May 10, 2007.</ref><ref>"Wearing Purple" book Retrieved August 29, 2018</ref> Born Frank Eugene Harper, he adopted the name "Hill" as a tribute to both his maternal and paternal ancestors.<ref name="auto"/>

Harper graduated magna cum laude from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island in 1988, with a BA degree in economics and sociology and was valedictorian of his department. In 1992, he graduated with a JD, cum laude, from Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He received an MPA degree with honors from John F. Kennedy School at Harvard University.<ref>"Hill Harper bio". Manifest Your Destiny Foundation. Retrieved November 15, 2010. Template:Webarchive</ref> During his years at Harvard, he was a full-time member of Boston's Black Folks Theater Company, one of the oldest and most acclaimed black theater troupes in the United States.<ref>Miller, Kiley (December 15, 2007). "Actor returns to Iowa for Obama" Template:Webarchive. The Hawk Eye. Retrieved November 30, 2011.</ref>

While a student at Harvard, Harper befriended Barack Obama, with whom he played basketball.<ref>Dani, Sarika (October 24, 2008). "Actor and Obama pal Hill Harper: 'He gets it right'". MSNBC. Retrieved June 22, 2010.</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2012, Harper was appointed to The President's Cancer Panel, a three-member body assigned to work with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and make recommendations to the White House around cancer policy.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

He subsequently moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting. He has received eight honorary degrees, including honorary doctorates from both Westfield State College and Howard University.<ref>"Hill Harper has received 7 honorary doctorate degrees." Manifest Your Destiny Foundation's web site Retrieved April 19, 2016</ref>

Acting career

File:Hill Harper speaks at the Missouri Theatre (alt crop).JPG

Harper speaking at the Missouri Theatre in 2014

His profile subsequently rose on both the mainstream and independent film circuits, thanks to roles in films ranging from Beloved (1998) to the independent romantic comedy Loving Jezebel (1999) to The Skulls (2000). Harper did some of his most acclaimed work in Jordan Walker-Pearlman's The Visit (2000), an independent drama in which he starred as a prisoner dying of AIDS who tries to put his life back together.<ref>Scott, A. O. (December 15, 2000). "Overcoming Bitterness On the Way to Redemption". The New York Times. Retrieved November 30, 2011.</ref> He also portrayed Leshem in the 2010 Syfy original movie Stonehenge Apocalypse.<ref>Foy, Scott (June 9, 2010). "Watch a Preview of the Stonehenge Apocalypse!". DreadCentral. Retrieved June 10, 2010.</ref>

In February 2013, it was announced that CSI: NY would be ending and Harper would be joining the cast of Covert Affairs as a series regular.<ref>Ng, Philiana (February 22, 2013). "CSI: NY Star Hill Harper Joins Covert Affairs as Series Regular". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 22, 2013.</ref>

From April 21, 2015, to May 10, 2015, Harper starred as "Hard Rock" in the Off-Broadway play ToasT. The play (produced by Lemon Andersen and co-starred Keith David) is set in the Attica Prison around the time of its 1971 prison riot and tells of the lives of its prisoners using poetic prose.<ref>ToasT Opens in Public Theatre Template:Webarchive BroadwayBlack.com Retrieved July 24, 2016</ref>

From May 1, 2018, to June 17, 2018, Harper starred as "Rooftop" in the Off-Broadway play Our Lady of 121st Street. This dark comedy (written by Stephen Adly Guirgis and directed by Phylicia Rashad) is about former students paying their respects to Sister Rose, only to find that Sister Rose's body has been stolen.<ref>Our Lady of 121st Street, Directed by Tony Winner Phylicia Rashad, Begins Off-Broadway Playbill. Retrieved May 2, 2018</ref>

Hill Harper's acting career also includes voice-over work (or voice acting) with CSI: NY – The Video Game, Breathe Bible, plus, podcasts called Legal Wars and 5-Factor Authentication.<ref>Hill Harper, The Voice of Mark BreatheBible.com Retrieved September 18, 2017</ref><ref>"Legal Wars" from Wonderly Podnews.net Retrieved October 12, 2018</ref><ref>Norton Security & Hill Harper Announce New "5-Factor Authentication" Podcast Retrieved August 25, 2022</ref>

Writing career and political advocacy

File:Hill Harper.jpg

Harper at a book signing in St. Louis in 2007

Harper is the author of several books: Letters to a Young Brother: MANifest Your Destiny, published in 2006; Letters to a Young Sister: DeFINE Your Destiny, published in 2008; and The Conversation: How (Black) Men and Women Can Build Loving, Trusting Relationships, published in 2010. His books, The Wealth Cure: Putting Money in Its Place and The Wiley Boys were both published in 2011. His book, Letters to an Incarcerated Brother: Encouragement, Hope, and Healing for Inmates and Their Loved Ones was published in 2013. Both Barack Obama and Michelle Obama contributed to the books.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In January 2008, Harper participated in "Yes We Can", a music video produced by will.i.am supporting presidential candidate Barack Obama. Harper is a member of the Obama for America National Finance Committee.<ref>"Obama for America National Finance Committee". George Washington University. Retrieved June 1, 2008.</ref>

Harper endorsed the 10,000 Bookbags<ref>"Support Our 10,000 Bookbag Giveaway on 8.8.09". The Life Center – Urban Change. Retrieved November 30, 2011.</ref> back-to-school backpack campaign to help local, disadvantaged children with Urban Change Ministries founder Pastor Jay Cameron of the Life Center, and R&B singer Ginuwine.<ref>Pendleton, Tonya (August 12, 2009). "Ginuwine, Hill Harper Lead Back-to-School Effort" Template:Webarchive. BlackAmericaWeb.com. Retrieved November 30, 2011.</ref>

On February 22, 2016, the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law announced that Harper would be their national spokesman.<ref>"Hill Harper Named as Lawyers' Committee's National Spokesperson" Template:Webarchive Retrieved February 22, 2016</ref>

He is also the founder of the Manifest Your Destiny Foundation, which is dedicated to empowering underserved youth through mentorship, scholarship, and grant programs.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

2024 U.S. Senate candidacy

On July 10, 2023, Harper announced his candidacy for the 2024 United States Senate election in Michigan, as a Democrat to replace retiring Senator Debbie Stabenow.<ref name="Frazier" /><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> He ran to the left of U.S. Representative Elissa Slotkin,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> describing himself as the "most progressive candidate in the field." Harper touted his support for universal healthcare and the abolition of the filibuster,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and if elected, would be the only U.S. senator who is also a union member, due to his membership in SAG-AFTRA.<ref name="union">Template:Cite news</ref>

Harper gained attention in November 2023, after announcing that he had declined an offer of $20 million in campaign contributions that would have been contingent upon him dropping out of the Senate race and mounting a primary challenge against U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib.<ref name="ceasefire"/><ref name="unbought">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="unbought2" /><ref name="unbought3" /><ref name="unbought4" /><ref name="unbought5" /> He has called for a "humanitarian ceasefire" in Gaza.<ref name="ceasefire">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="unbought2">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="unbought3">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="unbought4">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="unbought5">Template:Cite news</ref> On August 6, 2024, Harper was defeated in the Democratic Primary by Slotkin.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Other endeavors

Be the Architect

After being diagnosed with thyroid cancer, Harper researched the effects skin care products can have on a person's system. This led to his creating an all-natural personal care line for men and women, called Be the Architect.<ref name=Ebony>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:YouTube Retrieved April 28, 2017</ref>

The Black Wall Street

On May 31, 2021, Hill Harper & his partners launched The Black Wall Street, a web3 digital platform and financial literacy tool aimed at addressing the racial wealth gap.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Annual Leadership Summit and Lobby Day

In 2016, Harper was a keynote at the Annual Leadership Summit and Lobby Day.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Awards and recognition

In the fall of 2008, Harper was initiated as a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity with his Co-Initiates (called "Line Brothers") Dr. Naim Akbar of Florida State University and former NFL player Leo LeMarcus Newman.<ref>"Actor Hill Harper Is INDUCTED into the African American Fraternity ALPHA PHI ALPHA"Template:Dead link. Media Take Out. Retrieved November 30, 2011.</ref>

He was also a recipient of the 2011 Freedom Award, which honors individuals who have made significant contributions in civil rights and who have laid the foundation for present and future leaders in the battle for human rights. The award was conferred upon Harper from the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis for "his nonprofit foundation, [the] Manifest Your Destiny Foundation."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2018, the Audience Development Committee, Inc. (AUDELCO) nominated Hill Harper for a Vivian Robinson Award; Lead Actor in a Play, for his role as Walter "Rooftop" Desmond in the Off-Broadway play: Our Lady of 121st Street.<ref>2018 AUDELCO Nominations Retrieved May 12, 2019</ref>

On Sunday, December 5, 2021, the Boston, Massachusetts' Museum of African American History honored Hill Harper with a Living Legends award - The Garrison Silver Cup.<ref>Massachusetts' Museum of African American History's 2021 Living Legends Gala Template:Webarchive Retrieved December 6, 2021</ref>

People magazine named Hill Harper as one of the "Sexiest Men Alive" for 2004, and again for 2014.<ref>"Sexiest Men Alive List 2004"People Retrieved July 4, 2016</ref><ref>"Sexiest Men Alive List 2014 : Sexy at Every Age"People Retrieved July 4, 2016</ref>

Personal life

While writing his book The Wealth Cure: Putting Money In Its Place, Harper was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. After treatment, he was given a clean bill of health.<ref name=Rhone2011>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In November 2015, Harper received a call to adopt a baby boy. He agreed, and by May 2017, the adoption was finalized.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2018, Harper purchased and moved into the historic Charles T. Fisher Mansion in Detroit, Michigan.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1993	Pumpkinhead II: Blood Wings	Peter
1995	Drifting School	Sam
1996	Get on the Bus	Xavier "X" Moore
1997	Steel	"Slats"
1997	Hav Plenty	Michael Simmons
1997	Hoover Park
1998	The Nephew	Chad Egan-Washington
1998	He Got Game	Coleman "Booger" Sykes
1998	Park Day	Steve Johnson
1998	Beloved	Halle
1999	Slaves of Hollywood	Fisher Lovelace	Feature Film<ref>"Slaves of Hollywood" Retrieved February 20, 2017</ref>
1999	Loving Jezebel	Theodorous Melville
1999	In Too Deep	"Breezy T"
2000	The Skulls	Will Beckford
2000	The Visit	Alex Waters	Nominated—Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead
2001	Higher Ed	Craig
2002	The Badge	"Gizmo"
2003	Love, Sex and Eating the Bones	Michael Joseph
2004	America Brown	John Cross
2005	Constellation	Errol Hickman
2006	Max and Josh	Max	Short film<ref>"Max and Josh Film Short" Retrieved February 11, 2017</ref>
2006	Premium	Ed
2006	The Breed	Noah
2006	30 Days	Donnell
2006	Whitepaddy	Marshall Evans
2008	A Good Man Is Hard to Find	Damion Marshall
2008	This Is Not a Test	Carl
2010	For Colored Girls	Donald Watkins
2011	Mama, I Want to Sing!	Jeff Andrews
2011	The Shanghai Hotel	Carlos
2013	Miss Dial	Political Nutcase
2013	The Volunteer	Phil
2013	1982	Tim Brown
2014	Parts per Billion	Rick
2015	The Boy Next Door	Principal Edward Warren
2015	Pearly Gates	Dave
2015	Concussion	Christopher Jones
2016	Destined	Mayor Jones
2017	All Eyez on Me	Journalist	Biographical film debuted Friday, June 16, 2017; what would have been Tupac Shakur's 46th birthday.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2018	An Interview with God	Gary	Theater Release Dates: August 20, 21 & 22, 2018 only.
2019	The Sun Is Also a Star	Lester Barnes	Film debuted Friday, May 17, 2019, on Hill Harper's 53rd birthday.<ref>The Sun Is Also A Star movie trailer Retrieved May 2, 2019</ref>
2020	The Prison Within	Himself / The Narrator	Documentary
TBA	Shadowbox		Harper is also an Executive Producer. The film's Developmental Short is called "Butterfly Boxing".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1993	Life Goes On	Nurse #2	Episode: "Incident on Main"
1993–1994	Married... with Children	Aaron Mitchell	5 episodes
1994	Renegade	Clarence "Dex" Dexter	Episode: "South of 98"
	M.A.N.T.I.S.		Episode: "Tango Blue"
	Walker, Texas Ranger	B.J. Mays	Episode: "Badge of Honor"
	The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air	Dana	Episode: "Will Steps Out"
1995	The Client	"J-Top"	Episode: "Them That Has..."
	Live Shot	Tommy Greer	Main role; 13 episodes
1996	NYPD Blue	"Bo-Bo" Thomas	Episode: "The Blackboard Jungle"
	Dangerous Minds	Darryl	Episode: "Family Ties"
1997	Oddville, MTV		Episode No. 44
	ER	Mr. Jackson	Episode: "Obstruction of Justice"
1998	Cosby	Preston	Episode: "Men Are from Mars Women Are from Astoria"
	Mama Flora's Family	Don	Television film
2000	City of Angels	Dr. Wesley Williams	Main role; 24 episodes Nominated—NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
2002	The Court	Christopher Bell	Unsold TV pilot
	The Twilight Zone	Professor John Woodrell	Episode: "Shades of Guilt"<ref>"Shades of Guilt" Retrieved February 20, 2017</ref>
2003–2004	The Handler	Darnell	Main role; 16 episodes Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Television Series
2004	Soul Food	Kelvin Chadway	2 episodes
	The Sopranos	Stokley Davenport M.D.	Episode: "Irregular Around the Margins"
	CSI: Miami	Dr. Sheldon Hawkes	Episode: "MIA/NYC NonStop"
2004–2013	CSI: NY	Dr. Sheldon Hawkes	Main role; 197 episodes NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series (2008–10) Nominated—NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series (2005–07, 2011–13)
2005	I Love the '90s: Part Deux	Himself	Documentary miniseries
	The 4400	Edwin Mayuya	Episode: "Rebirth"
	Lackawanna Blues	Ruben Santiago Jr. (Adult)	Television film
2009	The Game	Himself	Episode: "Hill Street Blues"
2010	Stonehenge Apocalypse	Joseph Lesham	Television film
2011	The Real Housewives of Atlanta	Himself	Episode: "Tour-Ture"
2013–2014	Covert Affairs	Calder Michaels	Main role, 32 episodes
2015	Madam Secretary	Aiden Humphrey	Episode: "The Kill List"
2015–2016	Limitless	Spelman Boyle	Main role; 22 episodes Character named after Spelman College.
2016	Braxton Family Values	Himself	Episode: "You Gotta Get Pelvic to Pelvic!"
	Unsung Hollywood	Himself	Episode: "Hill Harper"<ref>"Unsung Hollywood: Hill Harper" Retrieved November 10, 2017</ref>
2017	The Real Housewives of Potomac	Himself	Episode: "Don't Let the Zip Code Fool Ya"
	Homeland	Chief of Staff, Rob Emmons	11 episodes<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
2017–2021	How It Really Happened	Himself	Host and Narrator of 12-episode anthology reality series.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2017–2024	The Good Doctor	Dr. Marcus Andrews	105 episodes
2018	Black Love	Himself	Special Episode: "Motherly Love"
2019	The $100,000 Pyramid	Himself	Episode 409 (Season 4; Episode 9)
2020	Mentoring Kings	Himself	Docuseries
2022	Super Pumped	Eric Holder	Episode: "Delete Uber"

Theatre

Year	Title	Role
2001	Dogeaters	Joey Sands
2001	Blue	(Adult) Reuben Clark
2015	ToasT	Hard Rock
2018	Our Lady of 121st Street	Walter "Rooftop" Desmond

Published works

• Template:Cite book
• Template:Cite book
• Template:Cite book
• Template:Cite book
• Template:Cite book
• Template:Cite book

External links

• Manifest Your Destiny Foundation
• [https://www.imdb.com/{{#if: 4991

 | name/{{#if:{{#invoke:ustring|match|1=4991|2=^nm}}
   | Template:Trim/
   | nm0004991/
   }}
 | {{#if: {{#property:P345}}
   | name/Template:First word/
   | find?q=%7B%7B%23if%3A+%0A++++++%7C+%7B%7B%7Bname%7D%7D%7D%0A++++++%7C+%5B%5B%3ATemplate%3APAGENAMEBASE%5D%5D%0A++++++%7D%7D&s=nm
   }}
 }}{{#if: 4991  {{#property:P345}} | {{#switch: 
 | award | awards = awards Awards for | biography | bio = bio Biography for
 }}}} {{#if: 
 | {{{name}}}
 | Template:PAGENAMEBASE
 }}] at IMDb{{#if: 4991{{#property:P345}}
 | Template:EditAtWikidata
 | Template:Main other

}}{{#switch:{{#invoke:string2|matchAny|^nm.........|^nm.......|nm|.........|source=4991|plain=false}}

 | 1 | 3 =  Template:Main otherTemplate:Preview warning
 | 4 = Template:Main otherTemplate:Preview warning

}}{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:IMDb name with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|showblankpositional=1| 1 | 2 | id | name | section }}

• The Wiley Boys book
• BeTheArchitect.com Template:Webarchive
• The Black Wall Street