Harold Perrineau
About
Biography
Filmography
Family & Companions
Biography
American actor Harold Perrineau rose to fame with parts in some of his generation's most iconic projects, including the television shows "Oz" (HBO, 1997-2003) and "Lost" (ABC, 2004-10). A native of Brooklyn, he began his career working as a dancer, making his screen debut performing dance moves on the television show "Fame" (1982-87). He moved into acting with small roles in the films "Shakedown" (1988) and Abel Ferrara's "King of New York" (1990), as well as a guest appearance on "The Cosby Show" (NBC, 1984-92). His acting break came with a recurring role on the critically acclaimed television period drama "I'll Fly Away" (NBC, 1991-93). After moving through additional guest appearances on television, he began to find his footing in the film world. A sizable role in the Jack Nicholson drama "Blood and Wine" (1996) preceded the actor's true breakout in "Romeo + Juliet" (1996). Perrineau played Mercutio opposite Leonardo DiCaprio's Romeo in Baz Luhrmann's stylized retelling of the Shakespeare tragedy. A starring role alongside Alec Baldwin and Anthony Hopkins followed in the David Mamet penned thriller "The Edge" (1997). He showed a softer side as part of the ensemble, alongside Taye Diggs and Terrence Howard, in the comedy "The Best Man" (1999). His strong run continued as he was cast in the landmark prison drama "Oz". His wheelchair bound former drug dealer Augustus Hill served as the show's narrator. He joined Keanu Reeves in the final two films of the Wachowski Siblings' "Matrix" trilogy, playing ship operator Link in "The Matrix Reloaded" (2003) and "The Matrix Revolutions" (2003). He then moved on to a role on J.J. Abrams' "Lost", becoming a part of that show's mind-bending mythology. His Michael Dawson was featured both on and off the mysterious island at the show's center. Perrineau's film career continued as well with a role in "28 Weeks Later" (2007), the sequel to Danny Boyle's hit zombie film "28 Days Later" (2003). He continued piling up credits on both film and television, including starring in the short-lived series "Blade" (Spike, 2006) and "Wedding Band" (TBS, 2012-13). He spent a memorable season on the hit gangland drama "Sons of Anarchy" (FX, 2008-15) playing a crime rival of Charlie Hunnam's Jax, before starring as a warrior angel looking after Matt Ryan's title character on "Constantine" (NBC, 2014-15). On film, he played a CIA analyst in Kathryn Bigelow's critically acclaimed "Zero Dark Thirty" (2012) and returned to one of his previous successes with the sequel "The Best Man Holiday" (2013). He also starred opposite former "Oz" costar J.K. Simmons in "The Bachelors" (2017) playing a psychiatrist trying to help a father overcome the loss of his wife. After another run of supporting roles and TV guest appearances, Perrineau joined the cast of "Claws" (TNT, 2017-) playing the autistic brother of Niecy Nash's nail salon owner.
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Producer (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Life Events
1986
Made TV debut as a dancer on episodes of ABC series "Fame"
1989
Cast as the original Tyrone Jackson in stage adaptation of 1980 hit movie "Fame"
1995
Made feature debut in drama "Smoke"
1996
Portrayed the character Mercutio in "Romeo + Juliet," directed by Baz Luhrmann, and co-starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes
1997
Cast as inmate and narrator Augustus Hill on HBO prison drama "Oz"
1999
Co-starred in Malcolm Lee's first feature film "The Best Man"
2000
Co-starred with Penelope Cruz as her drag queen friend in 'Woman on Top"
2003
Appeared alongside Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne in "The Matrix Reloaded"
2003
Reprised role in third part of trilogy "The Matrix Revolutions"
2004
Played artist and construction worker Michael on first two seasons of ABC hit drama "Lost" (2004-2006), returned to series for fourth season
2007
Co-starred in "28 Weeks Later," the sequel to Danny Boyle's 2002 film "28 Days Later"
2012
Joined cast of FX's "Sons of Anarchy" during fifth season as villain Damon Pope
2012
Featured opposite Jessica Chastain in Kathryn Bigelow directed "Zero Dark Thirty," based on the hunt for Osama bin Laden
Family
Companions
