Josh Hartnett

Early life and education

Hartnett was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He has three younger siblings named Jake, Joe, and Jessica. Hartnett was raised Catholic, attending Nativity of Our Lord Catholic School. At Minneapolis South High School, he played football, but a knee injury forced him off the team when he was 16. He went on to try youth theater, where he acted in productions of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Guys and Dolls and attracted attention from a talent scout. Originally interested in becoming a painter, he decided to become a film actor while working in a video rental shop, where he became acquainted with films such as Trainspotting, 12 Monkeys, and The Usual Suspects.

After Hartnett graduated from high school in 1996, he moved to Purchase, New York, to attend the Conservatory of Theatre Arts & Film at the State University of New York at Purchase. He was expelled after writing a letter to the dean contending that the college's evaluation system stifled students' creativity. At the age of 19, Hartnett moved to Los Angeles at the recommendation of his manager, Nancy Kremer, who had previously helped him book television commercials.

Career

Shortly after arriving in Los Angeles, he caught an improbable break, landing a part in the short-lived drama series Cracker on ABC. His first feature film was Halloween H20: 20 Years Later, in which he played the son of character Laurie Strode. Released on August 5, 1998, it performed well at the box office.

Hartnett then developed a successful film career, appearing in the major films The Faculty (1998), The Virgin Suicides (1999), and Black Hawk Down (2001). In 2001, he starred in the war drama Pearl Harbor. He was originally scheduled to play the role of Tino in Deuces Wild, but dropped out to star in Pearl Harbor. Also in 2001, he starred in O, an adaptation of William Shakespeare's Othello set in an American high school, as Hugo, the film's version of Iago. In 2002, he starred in the romantic comedy 40 Days and 40 Nights.

In the early 2000s, Hartnett was approached several times to play the role of Clark Kent / Superman for a project originally helmed by Brett Ratner but always turned it down, not wanting to commit to a predicted ten-year role. Hartnett said of his decision, "It just wasn't the kind of movie I wanted to do. I turned down other superhero roles as well." He was also considered for, but not offered, the role of Batman in Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins, which ultimately went to Christian Bale*.*

Hartnett was chosen as one of Teen Peoples "21 Hottest Stars Under 21" in 1999, Teen Peoples "25 Hottest Stars under 25", and one of Peoples "50 Most Beautiful People", both in 2002. He was also voted Bliss magazine's "3rd Sexiest Male". During this period, he was marketed as a teen idol and a potential megastar; his unease with this public image eventually led to his disillusionment with pursuing roles in high-profile films.

Hartnett's next films included Hollywood Homicide (2003), Wicker Park (2004), Mozart and the Whale (2005), Sin City (2005), and Lucky Number Slevin (2006). He followed up these roles with the 2006 drama-mystery The Black Dahlia, in which he played a detective investigating the notorious real-life murder of waitress Elizabeth Short. Hartnett had been cast in the role five years before the film was produced, remaining committed to appearing in the movie because he liked the subject matter.

Among his 2007 roles were Resurrecting the Champ and the graphic novel-based 30 Days of Night, in which he played a small-town sheriff. Hartnett described the second film as "supernatural, but kind of a western". He was going to play trumpet player Chet Baker in the film The Prince of Cool but did not agree with the producer's ideas and left the project.

In 2008, Hartnett played Charlie Babbit in the theater adaptation of Barry Morrow's Academy Award-winning Rain Man at the Apollo Theatre in London's West End. He starred in the new campaign of the Emporio Armani fragrance, "Diamonds for Men", being featured in both print and TV ads for the fragrance, thus becoming the first male celebrity to represent Giorgio Armani Beauty. He has been featured on many magazine covers, such as Cosmogirl, Details, Entertainment Weekly, Girlfriend, Seventeen, Vanity Fair, GQ and Vman, in addition to being in other magazines like Vogue, Elle, People, Glamour, In Touch and InStyle.

In 2009, Hartnett produced the music video for the rapper Kid Cudi's song "Pursuit of Happiness". During this time, Hartnett acted in several direct-to-DVD films and international films which received negative reviews, such as the drama August (2008), the thriller I Come with the Rain (2009), the martial arts action film Bunraku (2010), the comedy film Girl Walks into a Bar (2011), the romantic comedy Stuck Between Stations (2011), the time travel adventure film The Lovers (2013), the romantic drama Parts per Billion (2014), and Wild Horses (2015). In 2013, Hartnett was a guest of honor on Off Plus Camera.

In 2014, he was cast in the part of Ethan Chandler in the Gothic horror series Penny Dreadful, which was shot in locations around Dublin and Ireland. Later, Hartnett's character was revealed to be Lawrence Talbot / the Wolfman, who had changed his name to distance himself from his family. In 2017, he performed in Atsuko Hirayanagi's critically acclaimed independent film Oh Lucy! (2017), which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. That same year, he starred in and produced the survival film 6 Below: Miracle on the Mountain, which received negative reviews. He then continued acting in smaller films which were received negatively, such as the Turkish war film The Ottoman Lieutenant (2017), the drama She's Missing (2019), the crime film Inherit the Viper (2019), the Polish film Valley of the Gods (2019), and the crime film Ida Red (2021).

In 2020, he portrayed Canadian journalist Victor Malarek in the crime drama Target Number One. Hartnett then starred in Guy Ritchie's 2021 revenge drama film Wrath of Man in a supporting role before Ritchie cast him in his 2023 film Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre. In January 2022, Hartnett was cast as Ernest Lawrence in Christopher Nolan's film Oppenheimer. In July 2022, he joined the sixth season of Black Mirror.

In 2024, he starred in M. Night Shyamalan's thriller film Trap where he played Cooper Abbott, a serial killer, known as "the Butcher". Also in 2024, he appeared in the third season of The Bear, where he portrayed Frank. In December 2024, he was cast as Jeremy in Verity, the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's novel.

In 2025, Hartnett starred in the action film Fight or Flight, playing a mercenary tracking a target on a plane.

Activism

Hartnett has been involved in various causes. In 2007, he took time out from filming to support the green lifestyle campaign of Global Cool.

In 2011, Hartnett became one of a handful of celebrities attached to USAID and Ad Council's FWD campaign, an awareness initiative tied to that year's East Africa drought. He joined Uma Thurman, Chanel Iman and Geena Davis in TV and Internet ads to "forward the facts" about the crisis.

In 2012, Hartnett also joined Barack Obama in his campaign in Minnesota, appearing at such events as the Minnesota Greater Together Youth Summit before formally endorsing the President on the official campaign YouTube channel. He along with Minneapolis Mayor RT Rybak also appeared at the University of Minnesota's McNamara Alumni Center for an Obama Q&A in April.

Personal life

Hartnett began a relationship with English actress Tamsin Egerton in 2012. They have a daughter (born 2015), a second child (born 2017), and a third child (born 2019). In 2022, he revealed he had married Egerton in November 2021. They reside in the Surrey–Sussex border region, in southeast England. In 2024, he shared that he and Egerton had a fourth child.

Regarding fame, Hartnett has said: "I know what it's like to be in that whole world. I was up there for a couple of years, and it was uncomfortable. I think trying to stay at the top is a shortcut to unhappiness." Hartnett took a 15-month break from acting, saying: "I spent a bit of time really thinking about whether this was the right thing for me."

In September 2025, Hartnett was hospitalized after a car crash in Canada. The vehicle he was in collided with a police patrol car in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Filmography

Film

Television

Stage

Music videos

Awards and nominations

References

References

1. "Josh Hartnett". [[TVGuide.com]].
2. (July 21, 2018). "Famous birthdays for July 21: Josh Hartnett, Juno Temple". [[United Press International]].
3. White, Adam. (June 10, 2023). "Josh Hartnett on Black Mirror, Oppenheimer and saying no to celebrity: 'I was on a different path'". [[The Independent]].
4. Lenker, Maureen Lee. (December 20, 2024). "The Josh Hartnett renaissance will continue with Colleen Hoover thriller Verity".
5. (July 23, 2008). "Josh Hartnett Biography (1978–)".
6. Cooke, Rachel. (April 21, 2002). "Hart throb". The Observer.
7. Silverman, Stephen M.. (March 4, 2002). "No Joshin': Hartnett Can't Do It". People.
8. Hrbacek, Dave. (February 1, 2012). "Principal knows her kids by name – all 759". [[The Catholic Spirit]].
9. Sanguino, Juan. (May 26, 2021). "Why Josh Hartnett left Hollywood, and why he's back: "I decided to have a life"".
10. Cooke, Rachel. (April 21, 2002). "Hart throb". The Observer.
11. Lanum, Lorelei. (2002). "Josh Hartnett: American Idol". Touchstone.
12. Cooke, Rachel. (April 21, 2002). "Hart throb". The Observer.
13. Murray, Rebecca. (June 17, 2010). "Interview with Josh Hartnett, From "Wicker Park"". movies.about.com.
14. The MovieWeb Team. (April 22, 2003). "Josh Hartnett up for SUPERMAN...again?". movieweb.com.
15. Bergeson, Samantha. (2023-07-20). "Christopher Nolan Clarifies Josh Hartnett Was Never Offered Batman Role: 'It Never Got That Far'".
16. Murray, Rebecca. "Exclusive Interview with The Black Dahlia Star Josh Hartnett". movies.about.com.
17. (May 12, 2007). "Global Cool is hot on carbon emissions". The Times.
18. (October 2008). "Rain Man Promo Trailer featuring Josh Hartnett and Adam Godley". WestEndTheatre.
19. (July 8, 2008). "Armani signs Josh Hartnett for new fragrance campaign". Campaign.
20. (July 23, 2008). "Magazine: 1997 – 2004". Lucky Number Josh.
21. (July 23, 2008). "Magazine: 2005 – 2007". Lucky Number Josh.
22. (November 30, 2009). "Kid Cudi Hooks Up With Drake, Josh Hartnett For New Video". Steven Roberts.
23. "Roland Joffe and Volker Schlondorff Lead Panels at Off Plus Camera 2013".
24. Moore, Debi. (February 2, 2015). "Josh Hartnett Taps into His Dark Side in this Penny Dreadful Season 2". DC.
25. (February 2, 2015). "Josh Harnett is in Dublin shooting scenes for Penny Dreadful – Dublin looks magnificent". evoke.ie.
26. "Jason Statham suits up for Guy Ritchie's Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre first look". EW.
27. (January 6, 2022). "Everything We Know About Christopher Nolan's 'Oppenheimer' So Far". Variety.
28. Strause, Jackie. (July 13, 2022). "''Black Mirror'' Season 6 Casts Aaron Paul, Josh Hartnett, Zazie Beetz, Kate Mara and Paapa Essiedu".
29. Strause, Jackie. (June 16, 2023). "Josh Hartnett, Kate Mara on Their Lockdown-Inspired 'Black Mirror' and Why It's Set in an Alternate 1969".
30. (July 28, 2024). "'I didn't want to be swallowed up': actor Josh Hartnett on swapping Hollywood for Hampshire". The Guardian.
31. Kit, Borys. (21 December 2024). "Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett Join Anne Hathaway in Adaptation of Colleen Hoover's ''Verity''". The Hollywood Reporter.
32. [http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dr-jill-biden-joins-usaid-and-ad-council-to-debut-fwd-campaign-for-the-crisis-in-the-horn-of-africa-132605078.html "Dr. Jill Biden Joins USAID and Ad Council to Debut FWD Campaign for the Crisis in the Horn of Africa"] {{Webarchive. link. (July 13, 2012. [[PR Newswire]]. October 26, 2011.)
33. (April 8, 2012). "Josh Hartnett helps out Team Obama".
34. "Josh Hartnett Attempts to Panders to U of MN Youth - TCStarlight.com". TCStarlight.com.
35. (December 2, 2015). "Josh Hartnett and Tamsin Egerton welcome first baby".
36. Cardoza, Riley. (January 21, 2021). "Josh Hartnett Confirms He and Tamsin Egerton Secretly Welcome 3rd Baby in 2019".
37. Juneau, Jen. (March 7, 2022). "Josh Hartnett Secretly Married Longtime Partner Tamsin Egerton in November".
38. Bilmes, Alex. (21 January 2021). "Why Mr Josh Hartnett Chose "Having A Life" Over The Hollywood Dream". [[YOOX Net-a-Porter Group]].
39. (2024-02-26). "Josh Hartnett Reveals He and Tamsin Egerton Privately Welcomed Baby No. 4".
40. [https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/film-tv/hell-stay-out-of-limelight-1630334 "He'll stay out of limelight"] {{Webarchive. link. (June 14, 2016. ''[[Evening Chronicle]]''. September 10, 2004. Retrieved May 12, 2013.)
41. (29 September 2025). "Josh Hartnett Hospitalized After Police Car Crash in Canada".
42. link. (January 1, 2008)
43. link. (January 6, 2011, Seattle International Film Festival)
44. link. (January 16, 2010, Brooklyn Film Festival Film Library)
45. [https://archive.today/20130127062506/http://www.kviff.com/en/film-archive-detail/20082341-august/ History – Film Archive], Karlovy Vary International Film Festival
46. (November 13, 2009). "Bahamas Festival to close with Spike Lee's Miracle of St Anna". Jeremy Kay.
47. (February 14, 2017). "Momentum Acquires U.S. Rights To '6 Below' Starring Josh Hartnett".
48. Omotade, Lade. (11 December 2024). "Josh Hartnett's Hair Is Making a Statement in First 'Fight or Flight'".
49. Hipes, Patrick. (February 18, 2020). "Raoul Peck Teams With HBO On Colonialism Docuseries 'Exterminate All The Brutes'; Josh Hartnett To Topline Scripted Portions". [[Deadline Hollywood]].
50. (November 11, 2008). "Hartnett is main man in Old Vic's 24 Hour Plays". Louise Jury.
51. "MIFF Film Festival Awards 2014 - Milano".
52. (October 2007). "GQ Männer des Jahres 2007 ceremony". Vanity Fair online.
53. (2009). "Winners Announced in the Ninth Annual WhatsOnStage Awards". Bandwidth Communications Ltd.
54. (October 30, 2009). "The 2009 Doha 21st Century Leaders Awardees". 21stcenturyleadersawards.org.
55. (June 26, 2010). "Josh Hartnett To Receive The 2010 Ischia Acting Awards". Absolute Josh Hartnett.
56. "Never mind Oscar, here's the 2017 FANGORIA Chainsaw Awards Nominees Ballot!".
57. "The 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards". [[SAG-AFTRA]].