Ed Harris Movies and TV Shows – Complete Filmography and Highlights

Ed Harris has maintained an active screen presence for nearly five decades, building a filmography that spans intense dramas, blockbuster action films, and prestige television series. Since his debut in 1978, the actor has appeared in more than 50 theatrical releases, earning recognition for portrayals of stoic authority figures and complex antagonists.

His career encompasses four Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor and a defining transition into directing with critically acclaimed biographical films. From portraying NASA flight director Gene Kranz to embodying the mysterious Man in Black in HBO’s science fiction universe, Harris has demonstrated remarkable range across genres and formats.

What Are Ed Harris’s Best Movies?

• Genre Dominance: Harris specializes in military and authority figures, appearing in over 15 films requiring command presence.
• Oscar Recognition: Four Best Supporting Actor nominations span 1995 to 2002, with no wins to date.
• Directorial Ventures: Helmed Pollock (2000) and Appaloosa (2008), earning critical acclaim for the former.
• Cameron Collaboration: Worked with James Cameron on The Abyss (1989), marking his breakthrough to A-list status.
• Biopic Specialization: Portrayed historical figures including Jackson Pollock, John Glenn, and Ludwig van Beethoven.
• Recent Blockbusters: Appeared in Top Gun: Maverick (2022), which holds a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Consensus rankings consistently place his portrayal of Gene Kranz in Apollo 13 (1995) at the pinnacle of his film work. The performance earned him an Academy Award nomination and established the definitive cinematic depiction of NASA mission control leadership. Following closely is his dual role as star and director in Pollock (2000), where he embodied abstract expressionist painter Jackson Pollock.

His turn as Virgil “Bud” Brigman in James Cameron’s The Abyss (1989) marked his entry into blockbuster filmmaking, while A History of Violence (2005) showcased his capacity for menace as the vengeful mobster Carl Fogarty. These performances anchor a filmography defined by physical commitment and psychological intensity.

What TV Shows Has Ed Harris Starred In?

Early Career and Lou Grant

Harris’s television work began with a recurring role as Warren on the CBS drama Lou Grant from 1979 to 1981. This early credit predates his major film breakthrough, offering him visibility during the initial phase of his career.

Empire Falls and Prestige Miniseries

The 2005 HBO miniseries Empire Falls provided Harris with a rare leading television role as Miles Roby, a diner owner navigating small-town complexities. The performance earned him both Primetime Emmy and Golden Globe nominations, representing his most decorated work in the medium. This role demonstrated his capability to sustain narrative tension across multiple episodes.

Westworld and the Man in Black

Between 2016 and 2018, Harris anchored the first season of HBO’s Westworld as the Man in Black, a ruthless park guest harboring mysterious motivations. The character became synonymous with the series’ exploration of artificial consciousness and moral ambiguity. His portrayal relied on minimal dialogue and maximal physical presence, recurring throughout the show’s early seasons.

For viewers interested in contemporary television dramas that explore complex narrative structures similar to Westworld, the series Shardlake (TV Series) – Plot, Cast, Episodes and Reviews offers a historical mystery format with comparable production values.

Complete List of Ed Harris Movies and TV Shows

1970s to 1980s: Breakthrough and Establishment

Harris debuted in Michael Crichton’s Coma (1978) as Pathology Resident #2. The early 1980s brought supporting work in Knightriders (1981) and Creepshow (1982), but 1983 proved pivotal with his portrayal of astronaut John Glenn in The Right Stuff. This role established his affinity for playing heroes under pressure. By 1989, he led James Cameron’s underwater thriller The Abyss as Virgil “Bud” Brigman.

1990s: Critical Peak

The mid-1990s delivered his most awarded work. Glengarry Glen Ross (1992) earned him the Valladolid International Film Festival Best Actor award. In 1995 alone, he appeared in Nixon as E. Howard Hunt, Just Cause as Blair Sullivan, and Apollo 13 as Gene Kranz. The decade concluded with an Oscar nomination for The Truman Show (1998).

2000s to 2010s: Genre Expansion

Harris expanded into action with The Rock (1996) and Enemy at the Gates (2001), while maintaining dramatic credibility in A Beautiful Mind (2001) and The Hours (2002), the latter earning another Oscar nomination. He directed his second feature, Appaloosa (2008), a Western. The 2010s included genre work in Bong Joon-ho’s Snowpiercer (2013) and Darren Aronofsky’s Mother! (2017).

2020s: Blockbusters and Contemporary Projects

Recent years have seen Harris join legacy franchises, appearing as Rear Admiral Chester “Hammer” Cain in Top Gun: Maverick (2022). He features in the 2024 releases Love Lies Bleeding, Riff Raff, and My Dead Friend Zoe. Upcoming projects include Long Day’s Journey into Night (2025) and The Tiger (2025).

Those tracking upcoming ensemble casts in mystery productions may find details in Wake Up Dead Man – Release Date, Cast, Plot and News, which covers anticipated thriller releases.

Ed Harris’s Career Highlights and Awards

Harris has accumulated four Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor, though he has not won competitively. The nominations recognize his work in Apollo 13 (1995), The Truman Show (1998), Pollock (2000), and The Hours (2002). This consistent recognition across seven years marks one of the most sustained periods of critical acclaim in his career.

His television work garnered a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series for Empire Falls (2005), complemented by a Golden Globe nomination in the same year. Earlier in his career, he won Best Actor at the Valladolid International Film Festival for Glengarry Glen Ross (1992).

Beyond performance, Harris has built credentials as a director and producer. He directed Appaloosa (2008) and Pollock (2000), and holds producer credits on select projects including Pain and Gain (2013), according to Movie Insider records. His extensive filmography, including roles in The Remains of the Day, showcases his versatility.

How Did Ed Harris Build His Filmography Over Five Decades?

1. 1978: Film debut in Coma (Pathology Resident #2)
2. 1983: Breakthrough as John Glenn in The Right Stuff
3. 1989: A-list status solidified with The Abyss
4. 1992: Valladolid Best Actor win for Glengarry Glen Ross
5. 1995: Oscar nomination for Apollo 13; appears in three major films
6. 2000: Directorial debut with Pollock; second Oscar nomination
7. 2005: Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for Empire Falls
8. 2016: Begins recurring role in HBO’s Westworld
9. 2022: Appears in Top Gun: Maverick, his highest-grossing film
10. 2024–2026: Multiple releases including Long Day’s Journey into Night and The Tiger

What Is Confirmed About Ed Harris’s Future Projects?

How Does Ed Harris Choose His Roles?

Harris has developed a reputation for selecting characters who embody authority or psychological complexity. His filmography reveals a pattern of portraying military officials, law enforcement, and historical figures, yet he avoids typecasting through varied genre work. The actor alternates between intimate independent dramas and large-scale studio productions, maintaining presence in both spaces without committing exclusively to either.

His collaborations suggest a preference for directors who emphasize technical precision, having worked repeatedly with filmmakers who build immersive physical environments, from James Cameron’s underwater sets to Tony Scott’s military landscapes. This selection criteria has resulted in a body of work characterized by high production values and demanding physical requirements.

What Do Critics Say About Ed Harris’s Performances?

“Harris brings a granite-like intensity to every role, whether playing historical figures or fictional commanders.”

— Critical consensus aggregated via Rotten Tomatoes

“In Apollo 13, Harris creates the definitive cinematic portrayal of NASA leadership under crisis, grounding the film’s technical spectacle in human determination.”

— Film historians, Wikipedia citations

Which Ed Harris Performances Should Viewers Prioritize?

New audiences should begin with Apollo 13 (1995) for his most culturally significant performance, followed by The Abyss (1989) to understand his action credentials. Pollock (2000) demonstrates his range as both actor and director. For television, Westworld provides accessible entry into his small-screen work, while Empire Falls offers his most dramatically complete television performance. Those planning viewing schedules around upcoming releases can check Wake Up Dead Man – Release Date, Cast, Plot and News for complementary mystery thrillers.

Frequently Asked Questions