One of the most in-demand actors in Hollywood, Kelvin Harrison Jr. is known for bringing to life some of the most dynamic and diverse characters on screens both big and small. A SAG Award winner as part of the ensemble cast of the Oscar-nominated The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020), Harrison has earned consistent critical acclaim for his emotional depth, transformative performances, and bold character choices. In 2019, he captivated audiences in the psychological drama Luce, in which he starred as the title character opposite Octavia Spencer, Tim Roth, and Naomi Watts. Premiering in competition at the Sundance Film Festival, the film earned Independent Spirit Award and BAFTA nominations for both Harrison and the film itself. That same year, he starred in A24’s Waves, which debuted to rave reviews at Telluride and Toronto. Critics hailed his performance as “brilliant,” “excellent,” and a “knockout,” earning him multiple nominations and awards. 2020 was another banner year for Harrison, who starred in back-to-back romantic dramas — The Photographopposite Issa Rae and Lakeith Stanfield, and The High Note opposite Tracee Ellis Ross and Dakota Johnson. He went on to portray Fred Hampton in Aaron Sorkin’s The Trial of the Chicago 7, joining its award-winning ensemble cast. In 2021, he starred in MGM’s Cyrano, directed by Joe Wright, opposite Peter Dinklage and Haley Bennett. The following year, Harrison embodied blues legend B.B. King in Baz Luhrmann’s Oscar-nominated Elvis. His transformative turn as 18th-century violin virtuoso and composer Joseph Bologne in Searchlight’s Chevalier (2023) cemented him as one of his generation’s most compelling leading men. Last year, Harrison led National Geographic’s acclaimed series Genius: MLK/X, starring as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and headlined Searchlight Pictures’ SXSW-premiering film O’Dessa opposite Sadie Sink. He also voiced Scar in Barry Jenkins’ Mufasa: The Lion King, Disney’s box-office hit prequel to the global phenomenon. Harrison recently wrapped the sci-fi comedy Alpha Gang, starring alongside Chris Pine and Cate Blanchett. Next year, he will appear as Beetee in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, joining the celebrated franchise and further expanding his range across blockbuster and prestige storytelling. He is currently in production on Samo Lives, portraying iconic artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, reuniting with director Julius Onah; he also serves as an executive producer on the project. Born and raised in New Orleans, Harrison grew up surrounded by music. The son of working musicians, he began playing piano and trumpet at a young age before studying jazz at the prestigious New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. His passion for performance led him to local theater and musicals before enrolling at the University of New Orleans to study film. Shortly after, he landed his first screen role in the sci-fi action film Ender’s Game. Harrison went on to build his reputation as a force in independent cinema with standout performances in Monster, Monsters and Men, and A24’s It Comes at Night. Deeply committed to his craft, Harrison is known for fully immersing himself in the research and emotional life of each role. A black belt in Korean martial arts, he also enjoys playing music, painting, cooking, and photography when not on set.
