# Dorian Harewood

Dorian Harewood (born August 6, 1950) is an American actor, best known for playing Jesse Owens in The Jesse Owens Story (1984), Det. Paul Strobber on Strike Force (1981–1982), and Rev. Morgan Hamilton in 7th Heaven (1996–2003).

## Early years

Harewood was born on August 6, 1950, in Dayton, Ohio, the son of Emerson Macaulay and Estelle Olivia Harewood. His father was a high school teacher and post office clerk. He graduated from the Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati in 1972.

## Career

Harewood got his start in musical theater. On Broadway, he performed in Two Gentlemen of Verona, Streamers, and The Mighty Gents. For his role in Don't Call Back, Harewood received a Theatre World Award for Most Promising Actor. While in a stage production with Bette Davis, she encouraged Harewood to continue acting in dramatic roles, and credits her as his mentor. He made his film debut in Foster and Laurie (1975).
Harewood portrayed Simon Haley (father of author Alex Haley) in the ABC miniseries Roots: The Next Generations. He is known for starring as Jesse Owens in The Jesse Owens Story, and for his co-starring role as police psychologist Paul Strobber in the ABC Television series Strike Force (starring Robert Stack). He appeared regularly on Trauma Center alongside Wendie Malick and Lou Ferrigno, had a recurring role on China Beach and was Hank Mitchell in The Trials of Rosie O'Neill.
Some of his film work includes disaster film Gray Lady Down (1978), action drama Tank (1984), and sci-fi flick Solar Crisis (1990). In Against All Odds (1984), he appeared as a football player, and was Timothy Hutton's coworker in The Falcon and the Snowman (1985). Harewood then portrayed a combat veteran in Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket (1987). He appeared in two films in 2003: portraying Mackie Whitaker in Levity and Teddy Howard in Gothika.
In 1994, he was awarded the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series, Mini-Series or Television Movie, for his recurring role as jazz/blues saxophonist Clarence "Cool Papa" Charleston on the NBC drama series I'll Fly Away. The following year, Harewood voiced Hank Aaron in Hank Aaron: Chasing a Dream, narrating the television film. He earned an Emmy Award nomination for the special.
He also played Dr. Julian Wilkes in the NBC (later syndicated) TV series Viper, and had a recurring role as Rev. Morgan Hamilton in 7th Heaven. Harewood appeared as Eliot Pierce in the Showtime series The Hoop Life. For his work on this series, Harewood received his second NAACP Image Award nomination, for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2000. He has also dabbled in music, having sung the national anthem at the 1994 Orange Bowl and releasing an album, Love Will Stop Calling, in 1988.
As a voice actor, Harewood began playing characters in animation during the 1980s. He voiced A.C. in The California Raisin Show, a guest role as Dan Riley in Batman: The Animated Series, Tombstone in Spider-Man and Michael Jordan in the Saturday morning cartoon ProStars. He later returned to the Batman franchise as Jim Tate in Batman Beyond. When James Avery was unavailable, Harewood would voice Shredder on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Harewood played Rhodey Rhodes / War Machine in Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk. He provided the voice of Modo in Biker Mice from Mars (1993−96), a role which he reprised in the revival of the same name (2006−08).
Having appeared in over 100 productions in film and television, Harewood has only publicly expressed regret with one: the miniseries Beulah Land, where he portrayed an overseer named Floyd. He was disgusted with the film's script, and claimed he was "unhappy" and "embarrassed" with the finished production. Harewood has stated he will only accept roles he feels present positive images for African-Americans.
Harewood is currently starring as Older Noah Calhoun in the Broadway adaptation of The Notebook, a role which he was nominated for the Tony award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical.

## Personal life

Harewood married actress Nancy Ann McCurry on February 14, 1979. The couple have two children, Olivia Ruth and John Dorian.

## Filmography
### Films

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1976 | Sparkle | Levi Brown | Feature film debut |
| 1978 | Gray Lady Down | Lieutenant Fowler | |
| 1981 | Looker | Lieutenant Masters | |
| 1984 | Against All Odds | Tommy | |
| 1984 | Tank | Sergeant First Class Ed Tippet | |
| 1985 | The Falcon and the Snowman | Gene | |
| 1987 | Full Metal Jacket | "Eightball" | |
| 1988 | God Bless the Child | Calvin Reed | |
| 1989 | Kiss Shot | Kevin Marick | |
| 1990 | Pacific Heights | Dennis Reed | |
| 1990 | Solar Crisis | Borg | |
| 1994 | The Pagemaster | Jamaican Pirate | Voice |
| 1995 | Sudden Death | Agent Matthew Hallmark | |
| 1996 | Space Jam | Monstar Bupkus | Voice |
| 1998 | Evasive Action | Luke Sinclair | |
| 2001 | Glitter | Guy Richardson | |
| 2003 | Gothika | Teddy Howard | |
| 2003 | Levity | Mackie Whittaker | |
| 2004 | Kangaroo Jack: G'Day U.S.A.! | Lead Agent | Voice |
| 2005 | Assault on Precinct 13 | Deputy Gil | |
| 2006 | Adventures of Brer Rabbit | Mister Man | Voice |
| 2011 | Mayor Cupcake | Albert Peach | |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1975 | Cooley High | | Unaired pilot |
| 1975 | Foster and Laurie | Gregory Foster | Television film |
| 1975 | Swiss Family Robinson | Jama | 2 episodes |
| 1977 | Kojak | Jake Riley | Episode: "The Condemned" |
| 1977 | Family | Gil | Episode: "The Little Brother" |
| 1977 | Eight is Enough | Richard Connery | Episode: "All's Fair in Love and War" |
| 1977 | Columbo | Cop | Uncredited; episode: "Make Me a Perfect Murderer" |
| 1977 | Panic in Echo Park | Dr. Michael Stoner | Television film |
| 1978 | Siege | Simon | Television film |
| 1979 | Roots: The Next Generations | Simon Haley | 5 episodes |
| 1979 | An American Christmas Carol | Matt Reeves | Television film |
| 1980 | Beulah Land | Floyd | 3 episodes |
| 1980 | High Ice | Lt. Zack Dawkins | Television film |
| 1981–1982 | Strike Force | Det. Sgt. Paul Strobber | 20 episodes |
| 1982 | I, Desire | Det. Jerry Van Ness | Television film |
| 1983 | Matt Houston | Jerry "The Rock" Lennox | Episode: "The Rock and the Hard Place" |
| 1983 | Trauma Center | Dr. Nate "Skate" Baylor | 13 episodes |
| 1984 | The Jesse Owens Story | Jesse Owens | Television film |
| 1984–1985 | Glitter | Earl Tobin | 12 episodes |
| 1985 | Hotel | Matthew Bowers | Episode: "Passports" |
| 1986 | Murder, She Wrote | Sheriff Claudell Cox | Episode: "Powder Keg" |
| 1987 | Amerika | Jeffrey Wyman | 6 episodes |
| 1987 | Guilty of Innocence: The Lenell Geter Story | Lenell Geter | Television film |
| 1987–1996 | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | Shredder | Voice, 4 episodes |
| 1987 | Beauty and the Beast | Jason Walker | Episode: "Terrible Savior" |
| 1988 | Matlock | Edward Kramer | 2 episodes |
| 1988 | A Pup Named Scooby-Doo | Police Chief | Voice, episode: "The Sludge Monster from Earth's Core" |
| 1989 | Polly | Dr. Shannon | Television film |
| 1989–1990 | China Beach | Major Otis | 3 episodes |
| 1990 | Polly: Comin' Home! | Dr. Shannon | Television film |
| 1990–1992 | The Trials of Rosie O'Neill | Hank Mitchell | 26 episodes |
| 1991–1994 | The Legend of Prince Valiant | Sir Bryant | Voice, 65 episodes |
| 1992 | I'll Fly Away | Clarence "Cool Papa" Charleston | 4 episodes |
| 1992 | Batman: The Animated Series | Dan Riley | Voice, episode: "The Forgotten" |
| 1992 | Goof Troop | Buster Vessel | Voice, episode: "Big City Blues" |
| 1993 | Animaniacs | Spike Lee | Voice, episode: "Taming of the Screwy" |
| 1994 | Mighty Max | Additional voice | Voice, 2 episodes |
| 1993–1996 | Biker Mice from Mars | Modo | Voice |
| 1996–1997 | Spider-Man | Lonnie Lincoln / Tombstone | Voice, 4 episodes |
| 1994 | Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman | Carver | Episode: "Buffalo Soldier" |
| 1994 | Viper | Dr. Julian Wilkes | Television film |
| 1994–1996 | Iron Man | James Rhodes / War Machine, Stilt-Man | Voice, 16 episodes |
| 1994–1996 | Gargoyles | Boreas, Talos, Little Anton | Voice |
| 1994–1998 | Aaahh!!! Real Monsters | Various roles | Voice |
| 1995–1997 | Freakazoid! | Lt. Artie King, Deep-Voiced Singer | Voice, 5 episodes |
| 1996–2003 | 7th Heaven | Rev. Morgan Hamilton | Recurring role; 10 episodes |
| 1996 | The Incredible Hulk | Rhodey Rhodes / War Machine | Voice, episode: "Helping Hands, Iron Fist" |
| 1996–1997 | Superman: The Animated Series | Ron Troupe | Voice, 2 episodes |
| 1996–1997 | The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest | Tigari, Guard, Officer | Voice, 2 episodes |
| 1996 | Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm | Jax | Voice, 13 episodes |
| 1997 | 12 Angry Men | Juror #5 | Television film |
| 1997 | The Blues Brothers: The Animated Series | Don Kling | Episode: "Strange Death of Betty Smythe" |
| 1997 | Pinky and the Brain | Bojangles | Voice, episode: "Mice Don't Dance" |
| 1998–2001 | Histeria! | Various roles | Voice, 11 episodes |
| 1998 | The New Batman Adventures | Judge | Voice, episode: "Critters" |
| 1999–2000 | Batman Beyond | Jim Tate | Voice, 2 episodes |
| 2000 | The Last Debate | Brad Lily | Television film |
| 2001–2003 | Rescue Heroes | Bob Buoy | Voice, 4 episodes |
| 2002 | Stargate SG-1 | Councilor Thoran | 2 episodes |
| 2002 | The Practice | Dr. Jerry Cochran | Episode: "Evil/Doers" |
| 2002 | The Christmas Shoes | Dalton Gregory | Television film |
| 2002–2003 | Boomtown | Capt. Ronald Hicks | Recurring role; 7 episodes |
| 2004 | Astro Boy | Dr. Tenma, Shadow | Voice, English dub |
| 2004 | Megas XLR | Ender / Guardian / Squadron Leader | Voice, 2 episodes |
| 2004 | Static Shock | Warden | Voice, episode: "Future Shock" |
| 2006–2009 | Biker Mice from Mars | Various roles | Voice |
| 2006–2012 | Handy Manny | Coach Johnson | Voice, 4 episodes |
| 2007 | Billy & Mandy's Big Boogey Adventure | Older Irwin | Voice, television film |
| 2007 | Private Practice | Duncan Stinson | Episode: "In Which Sam Receives an Unexpected Visitor..." |
| 2007–2009 | House of Payne | Larry Shelton | 4 episodes |
| 2007–2008 | The Batman | Martian Manhunter | Voice, 4 episodes |
| 2007–2008 | The Land Before Time | Mr. Thicknose | Voice, 6 episodes |
| 2007 | The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy | Van Helsing / Burrito / News Reporter | Voice, 2 episodes |
| 2007 | Legion of Super Heroes | Mar Londo | Voice, episode: "Cry Wolf" |
| 2008 | Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles | Boyd Sherman | 3 episodes |
| 2008 | The Spectacular Spider-Man | Dr. Bromwell | Voice, 4 episodes |
| 2020 | Criminal Minds | Fred Kirman | Episode: "Spector Slowing" |
| 2021 | 9-1-1 | Rupert | Episode: "Defend in Place" |
| 2022 | Bel Air | Judge Robertson | 2 episodes |
| 2022 | Big Sky | Roman Cobb | Episode: "Come Get Me" |

### Theatre

| Year | Title | Role | Venue |
| 1975 | Don't Call Back | Clarence | Helen Hayes Theatre, Broadway |
| 1976 | Streamers | Carlyle | Mitzi E. Newhouse Theatre, Broadway |
| 1978 | The Mighty Gents | Frankie | Ambassador Theatre, Broadway |
| 2024 | The Notebook | Older Noah | Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, Broadway |

### Video games

| Year | Title | Role |
| 1993 | Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers | Toussaint Gervais |
| 2004 | Astro Boy | Dr. Tenma, Magnamite |
| 2004 | X-Men Legends | Shadow King |
| 2004 | Onimusha 3: Demon Siege | Spirit of Onimusha |
| 2006 | Lost Planet: Extreme Condition | Gale |
| 2012 | Diablo III | Barbarian (Male) |
| 2013 | Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance | N'mani |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Association | Category | Project | Result |
| 1975 | Theatre World Award | Theatre World Award | Don't Call Back | Won |
| 1994 | NAACP Image Award | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama or Limited Series | I'll Fly Away | Won |
| 2000 | NAACP Image Award | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series | The Hoop Life | Nominated |
| 1995 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Informational Special | Hank Aaron: Chasing the Dream | Nominated |
| 2024 | Tony Award | Best Actor in a Musical | The Notebook | Nominated |
| 2024 | Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical | The Notebook | Nominated |
| 2024 | Drama League Award | Distinguished Performance | The Notebook | Nominated |

## Discography

* "Show Me (One More Time)" (recorded in the 1980s)
* Love Will Stop Calling (1988) (Emeric Records/Ichiban Records/EMI)
* Have A Little (2001) (USA Music Group)