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Harry Lennix

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Harry Lennix
Lennix at the 2013 San Diego Comic-Con
Born
Harold Joseph Lennix III

(1964-11-16) November 16, 1964 (age 61)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
EducationNorthwestern University
OccupationActor
Years active1983–present
Spouse
Djena Graves
​
(m. 2009)​

Harold Joseph Lennix III[1] (born November 16, 1964) is an American actor noted for extensive work on screen and stage.[2]

Lennix made his film debut in The Package (1989), before taking roles in The Five Heartbeats (1991), Love & Basketball (2000), and Ray (2004). He has collaborated with director Spike Lee acting in three of his films Clockers (1995), Get on the Bus (1996), and Chi-Raq (2016). Lennix also portrayed Commander Lock in The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions (both 2003) and played Calvin Swanwick / Martian Manhunter in the DC Extended Universe films Man of Steel (2013), Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), and Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021).

On television, he played Boyd Langton in the Fox science-fiction series Dollhouse (2009–2010) and Harold Cooper in the NBC drama The Blacklist (2013–2023). He took recurring roles in shows such as Billions (2016–2023), Insecure (2018–2021). On stage, he acted in the Branden Jacobs-Jenkins play Purpose (2025) for which he was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play.

Early life

[edit]

The youngest of four siblings, Lennix was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Lillian C. (née Vines), a laundry worker, and Harry Lennix Jr., a machinist.[3][4] His mother was African-American and his father was Creole from Louisiana.[5]

Lennix attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary South and intended to become a priest. His first play was with the seminary.[6] After a few weeks at seminary, he changed paths to Northwestern University "to pursue a girl", and settled on career choice in drama and majored in Acting and Direction.[7] In his senior year at Northwestern, he was the coordinator of the African-American student organization, For Members Only.[8] Lennix taught music for Chicago Public Schools for eight years. While in school himself and teaching, he commuted two hours between Englewood for teaching and then performances in plays at night. He continued acting training and performed at the Goodman Theatre and Steppenwolf Theatre.[7]

Career

[edit]

1989–1999

[edit]

Lennix's first film role was in The Package (1989), which was a Chicago production.[7] Lennix starred in the film Titus (1999), based on Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus, as Aaron the Moor, the secret lover of the Queen of the Goths;[9] in the Showtime Networks television film Keep the Faith, Baby (2002) as reverend and Congressman Adam Clayton Powell Jr.; and in the ABC television series Commander in Chief.

Lennix played Malcolm X in a 1989 production of The Meeting, which earned him an Obie Award.[7] Lennix also performed the play years later.[10] Jack Helbig at the Chicago Reader said about the 1989 performance, "Harry J. Lennix’s uncanny impersonation of Malcolm X went a long way toward redeeming the play. Luckily, Lennix also has the gift of being able to make the most ridiculous lines sound real. “We are all pawns,” he says at one point, somehow convincing us that he is the first person ever to have thought of that."[11]

Lennix also starred as Levee in August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom at the Goodman Theater in 1997.[12][13] The production broke box office records.[14] For a later 2026 production in which Lennix returned to the same play and theatre as musical director, Lennix said:

August Wilson came to one of our preview performances [in 1997], wrote [director] Chuck Smith a note that 'I've never seen a better production of this, thank you.' It brings back ghosts, so I think it's haunted, it's fraught with drama, it's fraught with trauma, it's fraught with great music, great humor and also great pain, kind of like life. The play is set in Chicago, so we feel a special ownership, a proprietary pride in it. This is my home theater. This theater gave me my first equity job, while I was still in college, while I was at Northwestern.[15]

Lennix was the first recipient of an Ollie Award for his portrayal of Malcolm X at the Goodman Theater in Chicago, and received two Joseph Jefferson Citations for his roles in August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and Caught in the Act. He also starred as King Hedley II at the Mark Taper Forum in LA. In 2001, he was part of the first American company to be invited to the Royal Shakespeare Company.[2][6]

In film, Lennix has had supporting roles such as The Five Heartbeats (1991), Comfortably Numb (1995), Get on the Bus (1996) in which he plays the lover of a gay ex-Marine played by Isaiah Washington, Love & Basketball (2000), The Matrix series (1999–2004), Ray (2004), Barbershop 2: Back in Business (2004), Stomp the Yard (2007), and State of Play (2009).

In television, he had a recurring role in Diagnosis: Murder as Agent Ron Wagner as well as a guest voice role as Mar Londo in the Legion of Super Heroes episode "Timber Wolf". He also had a recurring role in the sixth season of 24 as Muslim civil rights activist Walid Al-Rezani. He appeared on the series House M.D. as a paralyzed legendary jazz trumpet player, and in six episodes of ER as Dr. Greg Fischer.[16] He also appeared in the episode "The Blame Game" of the first season of Ally McBeal. He played the parts of Boyd Langton in Joss Whedon's series Dollhouse[17] and U.S. president Barack Obama in the comedy sketch show Little Britain USA.

2000–2009

[edit]

Lennix has directed and appeared in numerous stage productions, including: Permanent Collection in 2005 with the Northlight Theater Company,[18][19] which was also presented at the Greenway Arts Alliance in Los Angeles and later directed by Lennis at LA's Kirk Douglas Theater. He directed the stage version of Robert Townsend's film The Five Heartbeats, which received three NAACP Theater Award nominations and The Glass Menagerie for Chicago's Steppenwolf Theater Company. Lennix made his Broadway debut in August Wilson's Tony-nominated play, Radio Golf, directed by Kenny Leon.[2] In 2009, Lennix directed The St. James Infirmary with the Congo Square Theatre Company at the Chicago Center for Performing Arts.[20][2] In 2007, he was an official festival judge at the first annual Noor Iranian Film Festival.

Lennix has numerous Shakespearean credits.[21] Lennix was also part of the first American company to be invited to the Royal Shakespeare Company, in 2001.[21][6][2] In 2007, Lennix starred in the Steve Marvel-directed all-black version of Macbeth at the Lillian Theatre in Loss Angeles.[21] Lennix has presented at Shakespeare symposiums in 2004, 2008, and 2010.[22][23][24] He has also written multiple scholarly publications[24] including an article in Weyward MacBeth: Intersections of Race and Performance (2009) and an interview in a special issue Shakespeare Bulletin in 2009, and specifically on the subject of race, Shakespeare, and contemporary relevance.[21] With Laurence Fishburne he has had numerous conversations and debates about Shakespeare, race, and performance.[25]

On the topic of his Henry IV adaptation H4 and Shakespeare in general, Lennix has said:

"When you have a white character played by a black person, the way that they arrive at a destination may be different, but the ultimate end is the same. If Shakespeare must be studied by every student in the English speaking world, and beyond, because of its universal relevant themes and characters, then if it is truly universal, why do I so rarely see anyone black doing it? So with H4 I'm saying that it is universal."[26][27][28]

"There are a lot of people who would think that Othello is a black Shakespeare film, but it's not. Othello is about one black guy in the midst of a bunch of people in Venice. So it's not really a black Shakespeare film. What I mean by black Shakespeare film is that for the first time, to my knowledge, on film, we have taken a Shakespearian play and placed in a recognizably black world experience. It's from the perspective of black people, acted primarily by black people, and it's from the black point of view." -Harry Lennix in 2013[27]

2010–present

[edit]

In 2010, Lennix had planned to star in an African-diasporic film version of Macbeth, with director Aleta Chappelle and tentatively also starring Terence Howard, Sanaa Lathan, Blair Underwood, and Danny Glover.[21] Also in 2012, Lennix produced and starred in the lead role in several film productions (see Producer-Actor Projects below) including H4, a modernized Shakespeare film adaptation of Henry IV, Mr. Sophistication which is about a stand-up comedian, and the biblical story Revival!. In Mr. Sophistication (2012), Lennix plays a self-destructive stand-up comedian trying to make a comeback while also having trouble with his interracial marriage.[29][30][31][32] The part was written for Lennix by the director, Danny Green, after Green had observed Lennix dressing someone down.[31] Ebony said that the role resembles the late life of Richard Pryor. Lennix said that the "jerky" personality is based on director Green.[29] As preparation, Lennix studied Lenny Bruce, Dick Gregory, Bernie Mac (who Lennix had seen repeatedly previously in appearances at Milt Trenier's Lounge, a noted cabaret in Chicago[33][34]), Alonzo Bodden, but mostly Pryor.[29] Lennix had previously done some live improv including with Del Close (of Second City, The Committee, and Saturday Night Live) in the past, but never stand-up comedy.[28] For ten seasons, Lennix co-starred in the role of Harold Cooper, assistant director of the FBI Counterterrorism Division, on the NBC drama The Blacklist (2013–2023).

Lennix participated in the 2014 Chicago Humanities Festival and discussed the book “Black Theater is Black Life: An Oral History of Chicago Theater” with its author, Northwestern University professor Harvey Young.[35][36][37] H4 (2012) is an adaptation of William Shakespeare's Henry IV, modernized to a Los Angeles setting while keeping much of the original language. Lennix plays King Henry IV. Keith David and Heavy D also appear. In July 2014, Lennix formed his own production company Exponent Media Group (EMG) along with long time business partner Steve Harris.[12][38] EMG had a distribution deal with NEHST studios for three of the company's titles: Mr. Sophistication (2012) (see below); H4 in (2012); and Revival! (2018). In 2015, Lennix appeared in Chi-Raq, directed by Spike Lee. Lennix called the film "brave and bold", as it addresses "the violence that’s happening right now in Chicago".[39] Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice in 2016 featured Lennix reprising the role of Calvin Swanwick from 2013's Man of Steel, both directed by Zack Snyder. Lennix made an additional appearance as Swanwick in Snyder's version of Justice League, released in 2021.

Revival! (2018) is a gospel concert movie that Lennix has described as Jesus Christ Superstar meets The Wiz.[38][40][41] Lennix plays Pontius Pilate. Jesus is played by Mali Music. The cast also includes Chaka Khan as Herodia, the wife of Herod, and Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child.[41] Elaine Hegwood Bowen at The Chicago Crusader wrote, "It is magnificent in its vivid, rousing storytelling and vibrant costumes throughout."[41] A review by Jonita Davis at The Black Cape Magazine said the film is "like an Easter reunion for those of us who grew up in the Black pop culture and Black Church" and that it could "finally" replace Charlton Heston’s The Ten Commandments (1956) as the film to watch in the weeks before Easter.[42] Lauren Turner in a review at BRWC wrote, "A constant beat and thump of live music keeps the story moving between more serious scenes, punctuated by musical numbers and dance scenes. We’re not in Nazareth anymore," and said the singing is sometimes "cringe" though the original compositions are good."[43]

During the Chicago Goodman Theater's 2024–2025 season, Lennix played the role of Henry Drummond in the Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee play Inherit the Wind.[44]

Music

[edit]

In 2026, Lennix was the musical director for a production of August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.[45]

"When I watch [Lennix] work, there is a sort of jazz-inflected rhythm in [his] delivery and response with [his] fellow actors. Even [his] work in Shakespeare has a musical sensibility."

— Lennix’s collaborator, Northlight Theatre Company director BJ Jones[19]

Lennix learned to play the trumpet while working on August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. He also played the saxophone in a production and has played the piano in other theatrical roles.[7] Northlight Theatre Company director BJ Jones said that Lennix played jazz piano in the rehearsal room during a run of Permanent Collection (2005), and shared Red Garland CDs with him. A 2018 episode of the PBS series The History Makers contains video of Lennix playing piano with a band and singing on stage at an event.[46] In 2005, he played the part of a fictional legendary jazz musician in an episode of House.

Personal life

[edit]

In 2009, Lennix married business executive Djena Graves.[1][47]

Lennix is a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. He was initiated into the fraternity in November 2012 via the Theta Kappa Kappa graduate chapter in Evanston, Illinois.[48]

Lennix has given multiple college commencement speeches including 2006 at Santa Monica College (speech entitled "Do Not Stop, Do Not Slow Down") and 2008 at Arizona State University (speech entitled "Acting While Black").[24]

Lennix is Catholic.[49]

Community Work

[edit]

Lennix is developing a performing arts center in the Bronzeville of Chicago and has been given $26 million dollars from the state of Illinois for the project, which will include a "Lillian Marcie Center."[50][51][52][53][54][55][56] The facility is planned to include a museum and two performance spaces, one of about 350 seats and one of about 100 seats.[54][57]

The Illinois Broadcasters Association said that Lennix has a foundation, The Lennix Foundation, which "aims to support young artists and promote cultural enrichment within underprivileged communities."[58] In 2023, Lennix was awarded by HeartShare Human Services of New York for a "commitment to [...] community that transforms the landscape for underserved and marginalized populations."[59][60][61][62]

Acting credits

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1989 The Package Johnny's Field Soldier
1991 The Five Heartbeats Dresser
Victimless Crimes Baker
1992 Bob Roberts Franklin Dockett
Mo' Money Tom Dilton Credited as Harry J. Lennix
1994 Guarding Tess Kenny Young Credited as Harry J. Lennix
Notes in a Minor Key Teddy Short
1995 Comfortably Numb Hamlin Day
Clockers Bill Walker
1996 Get on the Bus Randall
1997 Chicago Cab Pissed-Off Boyfriend Credited as Harry J. Lennix
1999 The Unspoken Reverend Bob
Titus Aaron
2000 Love & Basketball Nathan Wright
The Artist's Journey: Funk Blast The Guide
All or Nothing Jackson Short
American Temp Fred Caesar Short
2001 Home Invaders Himself
2002 Pumpkin Robert Meary
Collateral Damage FBI Agent Dray
Don't Explain Lee
Never Get Outta the Boat Brandon Credited as Harry J. Lennix
2003 Black Listed Karl Bennett Short
The Matrix Reloaded Commander Lock
The Human Stain Mr. Silk
The Matrix Revolutions Lock
2004 Chrystal Kalid
Barbershop 2: Back in Business Quentin Leroux
Suspect Zero Rich Charleton
Ray Joe Adams
2005 Trespass Daddy Short
2006 Shariff Don't Like It Tom
2007 Stomp the Yard Nate
Resurrecting the Champ Bob Satterfield Jr.
Across the Universe Army Sergaent
2008 Fly Like Mercury Coach
2009 State of Play Detective Bell
The Interview Draco Short
2012 The Last Fall Ron Davis
H4 King Henry IV
A Beautiful Soul Jeff Freeze
2013 Evidence Ben Tuttle
Man of Steel General Calvin Swanwick
They Die by Dawn Sheriff Bass Reeves
Sunny and RayRay Lenotti
Keep Pushing Staff Sergeant Hoover Short
Mr. Sophistication Ron Waters Also producer
2014 Cruel Will Dr. Frances
Cru Diego Glass
The Algerian Suleyman
Stand Down Soldier Officer Freeman
2015 Justice League: Throne of Atlantis Black Manta (voice) Direct-to-video
72 Hours God
Back to School Mom Lawrence Riley
Chi-Raq Commissioner Blades
2016 Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Secretary of State Calvin Swanwick
Macbeth Unhinged Banquo
Timeless Johnson
For the Love of Christmas God
Retribution Captain Tucker
Alternate Universe: A Rescue Mission Principal Sheehan
2017 Needlestick Ray LeGro
Romeo and Juliet in Harlem Capulet
2018 That's Harassment Politician Short
Rehabilition of the Hill Davidson Livingston
Canal Street DJ Terrance Palmer
Revival Pilate
2020 Grey Streets Cardinal Ford Short
Emperor Frederick Douglass
Lazaretto Sufyan Short
2021 Zack Snyder's Justice League Calvin Swanwick / Martian Manhunter Director's cut of Justice League
The Almighty Street Team Calvin James / Black Aizan
2022 Super Turnt Mr. Denver
Winter Ball Eddie
Curse of the Macbeths Banquo
Nothing is Impossible Russell Banks
2024 Cutting Squares Johnson / Self
Isla Monstro General Dregg
Godless Bishop Rolland
TBA L.A. 4ORCE † Chi-town Harry Post-production
Eyes in the Trees † Dr. Murphy Post-production
Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1986 Jack and Mike Fraternity Brother Episode: "Personal Foul"
1989 A Mother's Courage: The Mary Thomas Story Nero Television film
1990 Perry Mason: The Case of the Defiant Daughter Prosecutor Keith Warner
1992 In the Best Interest of the Children Tim Coffey
1994 Vanishing Son 2 Andre Laine
Vanishing Son 4
1995–1996 The Client Daniel Holbrook Recurring role
1996 The Parent 'Hood Sergeant Rutledge Episode: "Goodfella"
Murder One David Bronson Episode: "Chapter Eleven"
1997 Mr. Parnell Episode: "Chapter Ten, Year Two"
Friends 'Til the End Prof. Gunderson Television film
Too Close to Home Prosecuting Attorney
Living Single Clayton Simmons Episode: "The Best Laid Plans"
ER Dr. Greg Fischer Recurring role
1997–1998 Diagnosis: Murder Agent Ron Wagner
1998 Ally McBeal Ballard Episode: "The Blame Game"
Since You've Been Gone Jordan Cardozo Television film
Any Day Now Garrett Episode: "Unfinished Symphony"
1998 & 2003 The Practice Attorney Wayland Holmes
Asst. Attorney General Parker		 Episodes: "The Pursuit of Dignity" & "Final Judgment"
1999 Judging Amy Mr. Newman Episode: "An Impartial Bias"
JAG Agent John Nichols Episode: "Contemptuous Words"
St. Michael's Crossing Pasternak Episode: "CBS Pilot Knockin' on Heaven's Door"
2002 Keep the Faith, Baby Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Television film
Girlfriends Earl Episode: "My Mother, Myself"
2003 The Handler DEA Handler Episode: "Street Boss"
2004 Century City Attorney Attwell Episode: "Love and Games"
Second Time Around Dr. Oakes Episode: "For Better or Worse"
2005 House John Henry Giles Episode: "DNR"
2005–2006 Commander in Chief Jim Gardner Main role
2006 Legion of Super Heroes Mar Londo (voice) Episode: "Timber Wolf"
2007 24 Walid Al-Rezani Recurring role
2008 Little Britain USA President of the United States
2009–2010 Dollhouse Boyd Langton Main role
2010 Undercovers Gary Bloom Episode: "Funny Money"
2011 Law & Order: LA Agent Bossy Episode: "Plummer Park"
Hound Dogs Skip Television film
2012–2013 Emily Owens, M.D. Dr. Tim Dupre Recurring role
2013 Always Night Roger Banks Miniseries
Quick Draw Sheriff Matt Love Episode: "Nicodemus"
2013–2023 The Blacklist Harold Cooper Main role
2014 The Fright Night Files Ronald Television film
2015 The Marriage Tour Mr. Wright Recurring role
2016–2023 Billions Frank Sacker / Franklin Sacker
2017 The Blacklist: Redemption Harold Cooper Episode: "Whitehall"
Transformers: Robots in Disguise Cyclonus, Galvatronus (voice) Episodes: "Enemy of My Enemy" & "Freedom Fighters"
2018–2020 Conrad Don Brewer Episodes: "Hangin' with Conrad" & "Pilot D.O.A"
2018–2021 Insecure Marcus Walker Guest; (season 3), recurring role; (season 5)
2021 A Christmas Together with You Frank Emory Television film
2022 American Masters Orpheus Fisher (voice) Episode: "Marian Anderson: The Whole World in Her Hands"
Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas Boorman Voice
2024 Destination Heaven God the Father Miniseries
Diarra from Detroit Walter Harley Recurring role
Young Love Russell Young (voice)
2026 Boston Blue Judge Elijah Robinson
The Bear James Brooks Episode: "Caramel"

Theater

[edit]
Year Title Role Venue Ref.
1989 The Meeting Malcolm X Chicago Theatre Company [7]
1991 The Great Gatsby Jay Gatsby Wisdom Bridge Theatre, Chicago [63][64][65]
1994 Titus Andronicus Aaron St. Clements Theater, New York [66]
1997 The Meeting Malcolm X Goodman Theatre, Chicago [10]
1997 Ma Rainey's Black Bottom Levee Goodman Theatre, Chicago [67]
2000 A Raisin in the Sun Walter Lee Younger Goodman Theatre, Chicago [68]
2001 Cymbeline Iachimo Royal Shakespeare Company [66][6]
2005 Permanent Collection Sterling North Northlight Theatre Company [18][19][69]
2007 Radio Golf Harmond Wilks Cort Theatre, Broadway [70][71]
2016 A Small Oak Tree Runs Red (Director) Congo Square Theatre, Chicago [72]
2007 Macbeth Los Angeles [21][24]
2024 How I Learned What I Learned August Wilson Goodman Theatre, Chicago [12][73][74][75][76][77]
2024 Inherit the Wind Henry Drummond Goodman Theatre, Chicago [78]
2024 Macbeth Jardim Botânico de Lisboa, Portugal [79]
2024 Purpose Solomon "Sonny" Jasper Steppenwolf, Chicago [80][81][82][83]
2025 Hayes Theater, Broadway [80][81][82]
2026 The Taming of the Shrew Petruchio Unicorn Factory, Portugal [84][85][86][87]
2026 Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (Musical Director) Goodman Theatre, Chicago [45][67]

Video games

[edit]
Year Title Voice role Notes
2003 Enter the Matrix Commander Jason Lock Voice acting and full-motion video cutscenes
2004 The Matrix Online Voice acting

Radio

[edit]
Year Title Role Ref.
2024 The Last Days of Cabrini-Green Himself Podcast series[88]

Awards and nominations

[edit]

The Chicago Crusader and Northwestern University called Lennix, "one of Chicago's favorite sons."[41][37]

Year Awards Category Recipient Outcome
2000 Satellite Awards Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture Titus Won
2003 Black Reel Awards Best Actor in a Television Movie/Miniseries Keep the Faith, Baby
NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Miniseries or Dramatic Special Nominated
Satellite Awards Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film
2006 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Commander in Chief
2025 Tony Award Best Actor in a Play Purpose

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 "Djena Graves and Harry Lennix III". The New York Times. June 26, 2009. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "St. James Infirmary". ABC 7 Eyewitness News. March 16, 2006.
  3. ↑ Herguth, Bob (April 16, 1991). "Harry J. Lennix". Chicago Sun-Times.
  4. ↑ Harry J. Lennix Biography (1965?–)
  5. ↑ Harrison, Eric (January 14, 2000). "In Titus, He's the Face of Pure Evil; Movies * Harry J. Lennix's role in Julie Taymor's film should bring him more opportunities—and recognition". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Jones, Alison (November 26, 2001). "American blend in the Bard's back yard; Pioneering US actor Harry Lennix talks to Alison Jones about his passion for Shakespeare". The Birmingham Post (England).
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Bakare, Iya (February 19, 2013). "Harry Lennix: The Measure of a Man". iRockJazz. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020.
  8. ↑ "Harry Lennix". SpeakingOfStories.org. Archived from the original on February 14, 2015. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
  9. ↑ Zoller Seitz, Matt (March 26, 2024). "Titus: The Masterpiece that the Cinematic Greatness of 1999 Obscured". RogerEbert.com.
  10. 1 2 Bommer, Lawrence (January 23, 1997). "The Meeting". Archived from the original on December 9, 2021.
  11. ↑ Helbig, Jack (February 9, 1989). "The Meeting". Chicago Reader.
  12. 1 2 3 Bowel, Elaine (March 13, 2026). "'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' returns to Goodman Theatre". The Chicago Crusader.
  13. ↑ Rath, Julia W.; Lisnek, Paul (May 1, 2026). "'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' reviewed by Julia W. Rath with a second look by Paul Lisnek". Around the Town Chicago.
  14. ↑ "'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' Returns to Goodman Theatre This Spring". Theatre Limelight. January 16, 2026.
  15. ↑ Sanders, Hosea; Jordan, Marsha (2026). "Harry Lennix says new production of 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' will be revelation for new age". ABC 7 Chicago.
  16. ↑ Blanchet, Brenton (March 5, 2026). "Harry Lennix Opens Up About His ER Reunion with Gloria Reuben on Boston Blue: 'Picking Up Where We Left Off' (Exclusive)". People.
  17. ↑ Dos Santos, Kristin; Jennifer Godwin (April 15, 2008). "Exclusive Pilot Details: Welcome to the Dollhouse!". E! Online. Retrieved April 16, 2008.
  18. 1 2 "Museum quality drama". Chicago Tribune. February 5, 2005.
  19. 1 2 3 "Q&A With ACTOR Harry Lennix". Northlight Theatre Company. Northlight Theatre. June 2, 2025.
  20. ↑ rtmadmincd (March 3, 2009). "Harry Lennix slated to direct The St. James Infirmary at Congo Square Theatre Company".
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Lennix, Harry J. (2010). "A Black Actor's Guide to The Scottish Play, Or, Why Macbeth Matters". Weyward Macbeth - Intersections of Race and Performance, Edited by Scott L. Newstok and Ayanna Thompson. Palgrave MacMillan.
  22. ↑ Behrens, Web (November 5, 2004). "Shakespeare, but why?". Chicago Tribune.
  23. ↑ Newstok, Scott (March 7, 2010). "Greening Shakespeare in Memphis". Smart City Memphis. Archived from the original on July 3, 2022.
  24. 1 2 3 4 Erickson, Peter (2010). "From Lear's Button to Harmond's Paintbrush". Transition. Let There Be Light (102). Indiana University Press: 68–90. doi:10.2979/trs.2010.-.102.68. JSTOR 10.2979/trs.2010.-.102.68. Archived from the original on January 1, 2010.
  25. ↑ Lennix, Harry; Fishburne, Laurence (2009). "Two Actors on Shakespeare, Race, and Performance: A Conversation between Harry J. Lennix and Laurence Fishburne". Shakespeare Bulletin. 27 (3 (Fall 2009)). The Johns Hopkins University: 399–414. doi:10.1353/shb.0.0106. JSTOR 26347781. I was aware that Lennix and Fushburne have had previous conversations and debates about Shakespeare, race, and performance, I asked Lennix if he wouldn't mind having another conversation "on the record." He graciously agreed.
  26. ↑ Michael Roberts (October 14, 2013). "Harry Lennix' H4 world Premiers at the 2013 Chicago International Film Festival". Showbiz Chicago. Archived from the original on October 18, 2015. Retrieved September 6, 2014.
  27. 1 2 Xaque Gruber (July 30, 2013). "The Many Faces of Harry Lennix". Huffington Post.
  28. 1 2 Jacobs, Jay S. (October 18, 2013). "Harry Lennix - Exploring The Blacklist and the Bard". Pop Entertainment. Archived from the original on July 17, 2019.
  29. 1 2 3 Mims, Sergio (November 29, 2012). "Harry Lennix Channels Black-Comic Rage in Indie Hit, 'Mr. Sophistication' [INTERVIEW]". Ebony. Archived from the original on September 6, 2014.
  30. ↑ Jones, J.R. (October 11, 2012). "Mr. Sophistication". Chicago Reader.
  31. 1 2 Bernstein, Abbie (September 6, 2013). "Exclusive Interview: Harry Lennix on MR. SOPHISTICATION and MAN OF STEEL – Part 1". Assignment X. Midnight Productions.
  32. ↑ McD, Patrick (November 25, 2013), "Interview: Harry Lennix on Digital Release of 'Mr. Sophistication'", HollywoodChicago (interview)
  33. ↑ Steinberg, Neil (April 17, 2016). "Steinberg: Milt Trenier is still here". Chicago Sun Times.
  34. ↑ Chicago Tribune (March 21, 1995). "COMIC BERNIE MAC AND CREW ADJUST SHOWS FOR A PERFECT FIT". Chicago Tribune.
  35. ↑ Editors (October 23, 2014). "Chicago Humanities Festival to Premiere New Footage of Roger Ebert in "Life Itself"". RogerEbert.com. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  36. ↑ "Black Theater is Black Life". Chicago Humanities Festival.
  37. 1 2 "Past Festivals". Northwestern University Kaplan Humanities Institute.
  38. 1 2 "Harry Lennix – Andrew E. Freedman Public Relations". www.aefpr.com. Retrieved January 7, 2018.[dead link]
  39. ↑ Hughes, Mike (December 3, 2015). "Harry Lennix: 'Chi-Raq' movie stirs his boyhood memories". Lansing State Journal.
  40. ↑ McNary, Dave (August 4, 2014). "'Blacklist' Actor Harry Lennix Launches Movie Production Company (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.
  41. 1 2 3 4 Hegwood Bowen, Elaine (April 18, 2019). "Harry Lennix talks about his soulful 'Revival!' and Black men's health". Chicago Crusader.
  42. ↑ Davis, Jonita (March 26, 2020). "Let 'Revival' Give You Lift Just in Time for Easter Sunday". The Black Cape Magazine. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020.
  43. ↑ Turner, Lauren (December 20, 2019). "Revival: Review". BRWC. Archived from the original on August 17, 2022.
  44. ↑ Gans, Andrew (July 10, 2024). "Alexander Gemignani, Harry Lennix Will Inherit the Wind at the Goodman; Ian Barford, Helen Hunt to Explore Betrayal". Playbill. Retrieved August 23, 2025.
  45. 1 2 Davis, Mike (April 8, 2026). "Review: 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' at the Goodman is near perfection". Chicago Sun-Times.
  46. ↑ A Musical Evening With Harry Lennix. PBS. January 1, 2018.
  47. ↑ "Djena Graves Lennix: Executive Profile & Biography". Bloomberg. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  48. ↑ Slater, Elias (March 30, 2022). "Actor Harry Lennix, National Black Church Initiative, And Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Partner With The Prostate Cancer Foundation To Raise Awareness Of Health Care Disparities". Prostate Cancer Foundation. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  49. ↑ Hume, Ashley (October 26, 2022). "'Matrix' star Harry Lennix on how studying to be a priest improved his acting". Fox News.
  50. ↑ Davis, Glenn (May 4, 2026). "Chicago 2050: Glenn Davis writes on the abundant future of Chicago theater". Chicago Tribune.
  51. ↑ "Actor Harry Lennix gets $26 million from Illinois for his 'Black version of Lincoln Center' in Bronzeville". Chicago Tribune. April 19, 2022.
  52. ↑ Bahadursingh, Nathaniel (May 2, 2022). "Illinois grants $26 million to performing arts revitalization project in Chicago led by actor Harry Lennix". Archinect.
  53. ↑ Wisniewski, Mary (April 12, 2024). "A Mission in the Theater: An Interview with Harry Lennix". New City Stage.
  54. 1 2 Roeder, David (September 14, 2021). "Actor with Chicago roots plans South Side performance space". Chicago Sun Times.
  55. ↑ DeShong, Bonnie (November 6, 2019). "The Lillian Marcie Center – A Conversation with Harry Lennix". Chicago Crusader.
  56. ↑ Styles, Wes (March 18, 2021). Harry Lennix talks Snyder Cut, Martian Manhunter, Chicago performing arts center [INTERVIEW]. WSOY (Radio). Central Illinois Media Group.
  57. ↑ Nesbitt Golden, Jamie (April 20, 2022). "Bronzeville's Lillian Marcie Center, A 350-Seat Theater In The Works, Gets $26 Million In State Funding". Block Club Chicago.
  58. ↑ "Harry J. Lennix Profile". Illinois Broadcasters Association. November 15, 2024.
  59. ↑ White, Jessica (April 3, 2023). "The Blacklist Cast Came Together—Off Set—for This Very Special Reason". NBC.
  60. ↑ "Cynthia McFadden to Present Harry Lennix with The Heart of a Champion Award at the 2023 HeartShare Spring Gala". Look to the Stars. March 8, 2023.
  61. ↑ Cristi, A.A. (February 16, 2023). "Harry Lennix, Vincent F. Pitta & Joshua Lamberg To Be Honored At The 2023 HeartShare Spring Gala On March 29".
  62. ↑ Ingenthron, Blair (March 5, 2023). "Cynthia McFadden to Present Harry Lennix With The Heart of a Champion Award at HeartShare Spring Gala".
  63. ↑ "'GREAT GATSBY' AN INVENTIVE, AMBITIOUS ENDEAVOR". Chicago Tribune (Review). April 19, 1991.
  64. ↑ "WISDOM BRIDGE'S 'GATSBY' TO BE ELABORATE, EXPENSIVE". Chicago Tribune. March 21, 1991.
  65. ↑ "'GATSBY' A BIG WORK FOR BRIDGE". Chicago Tribune. April 19, 1991.
  66. 1 2 Rabinowitz, Chloe (May 12, 2022). "Harry Lennix to Receive Samuel H. Scripps Award from Julie Taymor at 2022 TFANA Spring Gala". Broadway World.
  67. 1 2 Reid, Kerry (April 9, 2026). "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom returns to the Goodman". Chicago Reader.
  68. ↑ Jones, Chris (April 21, 2000). "IN CHICAGO, 'RAISIN IN THE SUN' WILL ALWAYS BE A LOCAL STORY". Chicago Tribune.
  69. ↑ Barnidge, Mary Shen (February 9, 2005). "Theater: Permanent Collection". Windy City Times.
  70. ↑ Brantley, Ben (May 9, 2007). "In the Rush to Progress, the Past is Never Too Far Behind". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 10, 2015.
  71. ↑ Henderson, Kathy (May 3, 2007). "Harry Lennix". Broadway.com.
  72. ↑ Weiss, Hedy (June 5, 2016). "Congo Square conjures slavery's ghosts in 'A Small Oak Tree'". Chicago Sun Times.
  73. ↑ Kasten, Edie (April 11, 2024). "Chicago actor Harry Lennix stars in August Wilson's one-man show "How I Learned What I Learned"". CBS News.
  74. ↑ Meha Ahmad and Sasha-Ann Simons (April 22, 2024). "Actor Harry Lennix on playing August Wilson: 'This is a story that must be told'". WBEZ Chicago.
  75. ↑ McClanathan, Emily (April 23, 2024). "Review: 'How I Learned What I Learned' by Congo Square is about the life and work of August Wilson". Chicago Tribune (Review).
  76. ↑ Rath, Julia. ""How I Learned What I Learned" reviewed by Julia W. Rath". Around the Town - Chicago.
  77. ↑ Sullivan, Catey (April 22, 2024). "Sublime 'How I Learned What I Learned' delves into life lessons that shaped August Wilson the writer and his works". Chicago Sun Times.
  78. ↑ Fishman, Ted (September 30, 2024). "The Truths Still Resonate: A Review of "Inherit the Wind" at Goodman Theatre". New City Stage.
  79. ↑ "Macbeth". JA International Theatre. 2024.
  80. 1 2 Davis, Mike (March 18, 2025). "All grown up, Steppenwolf's Black family drama 'Purpose' moves on Broadway". WBEZ Chicago.
  81. 1 2 Stars and director of 'Purpose' talk dramatic Broadway show. Today. NBC Universal Media. March 3, 2025.
  82. 1 2 Ponder, Reggie (August 18, 2025). "A Conversation with Harry Lennix: From Chicago Stages to Broadway's "Purpose"". N'Digo.
  83. ↑ Davis, Mike (May 1, 2025). "Steppenwolf's 'Purpose' nominated for Tony Awards for best new play, leading actor and actress". Chicago Sun-Times.
  84. ↑ Duraes, Sara (May 2, 2026). "Back to where he belongs". The Portugal News.
  85. ↑ Duraes, Sara (April 9, 2026). "OpenAirShakespeare welcomes The Taming of the Shrew in Lisbon". The Portugal News.
  86. ↑ "The Taming of the Shrew". VisitLisboa.com. April 11, 2026.
  87. ↑ "THE TAMING OF THE SHREW in Lisbon at the Unicorn Factory April 11th & 12th". Open Air Shakespeare.
  88. ↑ "The Last Days of Cabrini-Green". Campside Media.
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