Written by Robert Waldman
Judge a man by his accomplishments. Long track records are hard to come by. Respect in any field needs to be earned and never taken for granted. Chicago lays claim to many great and famous people. Foremost among the windy city’s lights is one Barak Obama. Let us not forget the inimitable Oprah Winfrey. Sure to be on any native son’s favourite lists as a tried and true trooper is Harry Lennix. All one needs to do is look at this marvelous man’s impressive repertoire to understand the impact he’s had on his countrymen and dare I say international admirers.
Born and bred in Chicago, Harry turned out to be the youngest of four children. Parents Lillian and Harry gave their last offspring a wonderful welcome to the world on November 16, 1964. Bouts at high school saw this young man become a straight A student. One classmate of note turned out to be none other than David Schwimmer, a friend forever to this budding screen sensation. Show business was in this cool man’s blood and he excelled at school theatre productions. Lennix majored in both acting and directing at Northwestern University in Evaston earning at a relatively young age a who’s who in American college students.
Out of those early days a true actor was born. First Lennix excelled in live theatre, winning three Jefferson awards for plays he performed in during the late 80s. He wowed critics and audiences alike for Caught in the Act and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom for Pegasus Players Theatre, Lifeline Theatre and the Good Man theatre production company. Bigger things still lurked in this man’s mind.
Fresh starts and honing ones skill is part of this man’s make-up. Next stop for one of Chicago’s freshest faces was New York and then onto L.A. where he currently resides. Hot as ever today Lennix made his film debut opposite Academy Award winning Gene Hackman on The Package. More theatre performances awaited onlookers along with a flood of television work. Some of the biggest modern shows in television history have benefitted from this strapping good looking man who lends that certain feel of authority and integrity to any role. Be producers wanting a lawyer, professor, policeman or dreaded terrorist this man has the range to convey their very essence to a somewhat fickle audience.
Television viewers were treated to significant multi-episode appearances by Lennix on such staple fare as 24, Commander in Chief, E.R., The Practice, Judging Amy, Jag and Ally Mcbeal. Able to tackle both drama and comedy is one reason why one Harry J. Lennix is often in demand. Major Hollywood producers and studios alike have also noticed this man’s impact. Witness the current Russell Crowe hit State of Play which features Lennix as a relentless New York detective. Other actors who have crossed Lennix’s path on the big screen include Sir Anthony Hopkins, Keanu Reeves and Silver Stallone, to name just a few. Not bad company to keep.
Fan film favourites that Lennix has appeared in include, but are not just limited to, The Matrix Reloaded, Collateral Damage, the Human Stain, Stomp the Yard, Across the Universe, Guarding Tess, Love & Basketball, Clockers and even a Perry Mason T.V. movie. Ever ready for bigger and better challenges audiences can always rely on getting their money’s worth whenever they’re watching a consummate actor like Henry Lennix applying his trade. He’s clearly a bright beacon emanating from one of America’s greatest of all cities.
Read more reviews by Robert at www.moviereviewssite.com
