Hill Harper

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. Born Frank Eugene Harper, he adopted the name "Hill" as a tribute to both his maternal and paternal ancestors.

Harper graduated magna cum laude from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island in 1988, with a BA degree in economics and sociology. He was also 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. 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.

While a student at Harvard, Harper befriended Barack Obama, with whom he played basketball. 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.

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."Hill Harper has received 7 honorary doctorate degrees." Manifest Your Destiny Foundation's web site Retrieved April 19, 2016

Acting career

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. He also portrayed Leshem in the 2010 Syfy original movie Stonehenge Apocalypse.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Writing career and political advocacy

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.

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.

Harper endorsed the 10,000 Bookbags 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.

On February 22, 2016, the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law announced that Harper would be their national spokesman.

He is also the founder of the Manifest Your Destiny Foundation, which is dedicated to empowering underserved youth through mentorship, scholarship, and grant programs.

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. He ran to the left of U.S. Representative Elissa Slotkin, describing himself as the "most progressive candidate in the field." Harper touted his support for universal healthcare and the abolition of the filibuster, and if elected, would be the only U.S. senator who is also a union member, due to his membership in SAG-AFTRA.

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. He has called for a "humanitarian ceasefire" in Gaza. On August 6, 2024, Harper was defeated in the Democratic Primary by Slotkin.

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.

''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.

''Annual Leadership Summit and Lobby Day''

In 2016, Harper was a keynote at the Annual Leadership Summit and Lobby Day.

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.

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."

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.

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.

People magazine named Hill Harper as one of the "Sexiest Men Alive" for 2004, and again for 2014.

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.{{cite web|last=Rhone |first=Nedra |date=August 22, 2011 |url=http://www.accessatlanta.com/atlanta-events/actor-hill-harper-cures-1130048.html |title=Actor Hill Harper cures his health and America's wealth |access-date=August 23, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110910163324/http://www.accessatlanta.com/atlanta-events/actor-hill-harper-cures-1130048.html |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |archive-date=September 10, 2011}}

In November 2015, Harper received a call to adopt a baby boy. He agreed, and by May 2017, the adoption was finalized.

In 2018, Harper purchased and moved into the historic Charles T. Fisher Mansion in Detroit, Michigan.

Filmography

Film

Television

Theatre

Published works

References

References

1. [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/8-things-you-didnt-know-about-actor-hill-harper_us_5761b704e4b02081542fae6c "8 Things You Didn't Know About Actor Hill Harper"] ''[[HuffPost]]'' Retrieved July 3, 2016
2. (2016-06-15). "8 Things You Didn't Know About Actor Hill Harper".
3. Palmeri, Tara. (2023-03-07). "Hill Harper Against the Machine".
4. Schwartz, Ryan. (2023-03-03). "The Good Doctor's Hill Harper Eyes U.S. Senate Run — Is Dr. Andrews Scrubbing Out Ahead of Potential Season 7?".
5. Schneider, Elena. (March 5, 2023). "Ambitions collide as rising Democrats consider higher office".
6. Frazier, Kierra. (July 10, 2023). "Actor Hill Harper enters Michigan's 2024 Senate race". [[Politico]].
7. [http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/hill-harper/153867 "Hill Harper: Biography, Latest News & Videos"]. ''[[TV Guide]]''. Retrieved June 30, 2007.
8. Huntley, Kristine (January 25, 2006). [http://www.csifiles.com/interviews/hill_harper.shtml "Hill Harper"]. CSI Files. Retrieved May 10, 2007.
9. Lynn (May 4, 2007). [http://csifanatic.com/2007/05/04/hill-harper-is-much-more-than-meets-the-eye/ "Hill Harper is Much More Than Meets the Eye"]. EveryJoe.com. Retrieved May 10, 2007.
10. [https://www.amazon.com/Wearing-Purple-Lydia-Lewis-Alexander/dp/B000HWYW14 "Wearing Purple" book] Retrieved August 29, 2018
11. [http://www.manifestyourdestiny.org/HillHarper/bio "Hill Harper bio"]. Manifest Your Destiny Foundation. Retrieved November 15, 2010. {{webarchive. link. (July 4, 2009)
12. Miller, Kiley (December 15, 2007). [http://www.thehawkeye.com/Story/vote_obama_121507 "Actor returns to Iowa for Obama"] {{Webarchive. link. (December 17, 2014 . ''[[The Hawk Eye]]''. Retrieved November 30, 2011.)
13. Dani, Sarika (October 24, 2008). [https://web.archive.org/web/20110111171526/http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/27341814/ns/today-today_on_the_trail/ "Actor and Obama pal Hill Harper: 'He gets it right'"]. [[MSNBC]]. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
14. (July 20, 2015). "What this CSI star and Barack Obama have in common".
15. (August 3, 2012). "Hill Harper To Join President Obama's Cancer Panel".
16. (2013-12-19). "President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts".
17. "Improving Cancer-Related Outcomes with CONNECTED HEALTH".
18. Scott, A. O. (December 15, 2000). [https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9C02EEDF1F3FF936A25751C1A9669C8B63 "Overcoming Bitterness On the Way to Redemption"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
19. Foy, Scott (June 9, 2010). [http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/37933/watch-a-preview-stonehenge-apocalypse "Watch a Preview of the Stonehenge Apocalypse!"]. DreadCentral. Retrieved June 10, 2010.
20. Ng, Philiana (February 22, 2013). [http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/csi-nys-hill-harper-covert-423425 "''CSI: NY'' Star Hill Harper Joins ''Covert Affairs'' as Series Regular"]. ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]''. Retrieved February 22, 2013.
21. [http://broadwayblack.com/toast-opens-public-theatre-starring-hill-harper-keith-david/ ToasT Opens in Public Theatre] {{Webarchive. link. (September 4, 2017 BroadwayBlack.com Retrieved July 24, 2016)
22. [http://www.playbill.com/article/our-lady-of-121st-street-directed-by-tony-winner-phylicia-rashad-begins-off-broadway Our Lady of 121st Street, Directed by Tony Winner Phylicia Rashad, Begins Off-Broadway] ''Playbill''. Retrieved May 2, 2018
23. [http://breathebible.com/voices/hill-harper/ Hill Harper, The Voice of Mark] BreatheBible.com Retrieved September 18, 2017
24. [https://podnews.net/podcast/1436752562 "Legal Wars" from Wonderly] Podnews.net Retrieved October 12, 2018
25. [https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/norton-and-hill-harper-announce-new-5-factor-authentication-podcast-301602017.html ''Norton Security & Hill Harper Announce New "5-Factor Authentication" Podcast''] Retrieved August 25, 2022
26. Watkins, Grouchy Greg. (2008-06-12). "Hill Harper: Art Of Life – Barack, Kanye, Self-Esteem and Letters to a Young Sister".
27. [http://www.gwu.edu/~action/2008/obama/obamafinancecomm.html "Obama for America National Finance Committee"]. [[George Washington University]]. Retrieved June 1, 2008.
28. [http://www.10000bookbags.com/ "Support Our 10,000 Bookbag Giveaway on 8.8.09"]. The Life Center – Urban Change. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
29. link. (April 26, 2012 . BlackAmericaWeb.com. Retrieved November 30, 2011.)
30. [http://www.866ourvote.org/newsroom/releases/hill-harper-named-as-lawyers-committees-national-spokesperson "Hill Harper Named as Lawyers' Committee's National Spokesperson"] {{Webarchive. link. (April 23, 2016 Retrieved February 22, 2016)
31. "MLK speaker Hill Harper reminds audience 'we have the power': The University Record".
32. (2017-02-23). "Then and Now: Hill Harper".
33. Racker, Mini. (2023-07-10). "Hill Harper Wants Michigan Voters to Look Past His TV Fame".
34. Ulloa, Jazmine. (2023-07-10). "Hill Harper, 'Good Doctor' Actor, Enters Senate Race in Michigan". The New York Times.
35. Wagner, John. (2023-07-10). "Actor Hill Harper enters Democratic primary for a Senate seat from Michigan". Washington Post.
36. Holt, Matt. (2023-08-17). "Hollywood Actors Strike Casts Spotlight on Michigan Senate Race". The Messenger.
37. Mathur-Ashton, Aneeta. (2023-11-22). "Michigan Donor Allegedly Offered Senate Hopeful Hill Harper $20 Million Donation to Primary Rep. Tlaib". The Messenger.
38. (2023-11-22). "Donor allegedly offered $20M to recruit a Tlaib primary challenger". [[Politico]].
39. Schouten, Fredreka. (2023-11-23). "Michigan Senate candidate Hill Harper said he was offered $20 million to mount a primary challenge against Rep. Rashida Tlaib". [[CNN]].
40. Cameron, Chris. (2023-11-22). "Senate Candidate in Michigan Says He Was Offered $20 Million to Challenge Tlaib". [[The New York Times]].
41. Lobo, Arpan. (2023-11-22). "Michigan Senate candidate Hill Harper: I turned down $20M to challenge Tlaib in primary". [[Detroit Free Press]].
42. Pequeño IV, Antonio. (2023-11-22). "Senate Candidate Hill Harper Claims He Rejected $20 Million To Run Against Rashida Tlaib". [[Forbes]].
43. (2024-08-06). "Michigan primary results: Elissa Slotkin, Hill Harper face off".
44. (2024-08-07). "Elissa Slotkin Defeats Hill Harper to Win the Democratic Nomination in Michigan's U.S. Senate Race".
45. (March 8, 2017). "Hill Harper Launches Men's and Women's Skin Care Line". [[Ebony (magazine).
46. (March 3, 2017). "How Hill Harper's H2L & JUA Men and Women Skin Care Line May Improve Organ Health".
47. {{youTube. NUSf2bmmMko. Hill Harper Talks About His New Skin Care Line on The Steve Harvey Show Retrieved April 28, 2017
48. Perkins, Njera. (2021-04-13). "Hill Harper Launches First Black-Owned Digital Wallet And Cryptocurrency Exchange App In U.S. History".
49. (2016-10-06). "Cancer Survivor and Actor Hill Harper Offers Words of Encouragement to ACS CAN Volunteers".
50. [http://mediatakeout.com/32717/actor-hill-harper-is-inducted-into-the-african-american-fraternity-alpha-phi-alpha-pics-with-hill-and-frat-bros-inside.html "Actor Hill Harper Is INDUCTED into the African American Fraternity ALPHA PHI ALPHA"]{{Dead link. (January 2020)
51. "Freedom Award".
52. [https://www.audelco.org/2018-nominees/ 2018 AUDELCO Nominations] Retrieved May 12, 2019
53. [https://www.eventcreate.com/e/llg Massachusetts' Museum of African American History's 2021 Living Legends Gala] {{Webarchive. link. (May 18, 2022 Retrieved December 6, 2021)
54. [https://web.archive.org/web/20080320015241/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,782689,00.html "Sexiest Men Alive List 2004"]''[[People (magazine). People]]'' Retrieved July 4, 2016
55. [http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20763062,00.html "Sexiest Men Alive List 2014 : Sexy at Every Age"]''[[People (magazine). People]]'' Retrieved July 4, 2016
56. "Hill Harper Reveals Adoption at the Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Summit 2017".
57. Witsil, Frank. "Peek inside the Fisher Mansion gives glimpse of Detroit's past, future".
58. Feighan, Maureen. (2017-09-20). "Charles T. Fisher mansion to get a major makeover".
59. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQdSjcMaPVY "Slaves of Hollywood"] Retrieved February 20, 2017
60. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgbRqODRnXQ "Max and Josh Film Short"] Retrieved February 11, 2017
61. (November 22, 2016). "Tupac's Highly-Anticipated Biopic Receives Official Release Date".
62. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3On0BXzGnuI The Sun Is Also A Star movie trailer] Retrieved May 2, 2019
63. Rice, Lynette. "Joslyn Rose Lyons Makes Directorial Debut With 'Shadowbox' Starring Hill Harper, J. Alphonse Nicholson". Deadline Hollywood.
64. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPI-OmE4ycc "Shades of Guilt"] Retrieved February 20, 2017
65. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LU_HSXDOwQ "Unsung Hollywood: Hill Harper"] Retrieved November 10, 2017
66. "'Homeland' adds actors from 'The Flash,' 'Limitless'".
67. "HLN Launches New Original Series 'How It Really Happened with Hill Harper' on January 27".