David Harewood facts for kids

Quick facts for kids David Harewood OBE
David Harewood in Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2024
Born	David Michael Harewood (1965-12-08) 8 December 1965 (age 59) Small Heath, Birmingham, England
Occupation	Actor, presenter
Years active	1990–present
Spouse(s)	Kirsty Handy ​ ​ (m. 2014)​
Children	2

David Michael Harewood (born 8 December 1965) is a British actor and presenter. He is currently the president of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He is well-known for playing David Estes in the TV show Homeland (2011–2012). He also played J'onn J'onzz / Martian Manhunter in Supergirl (2015–2021).

Early Life and Education

David Harewood was born on December 8, 1965, in Small Heath, Birmingham, England. His parents moved to England from Barbados in the late 1950s and early 1960s. His father was a lorry driver, and his mother worked in catering.

David went to St Benedict's Junior School and Washwood Heath Academy. He was part of the National Youth Theatre, which helps young people learn about acting. When he was 18, he was accepted into the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, a famous acting school.

Acting Career Highlights

David Harewood started acting in 1990. He has appeared in many films and TV shows.

Early Roles in Film and TV

Some of his early film roles include The Hawk and Mad Dogs and Englishmen. He also appeared in TV shows like Ballykissangel, The Vice, and Fat Friends. In 1997, he made history as the first black actor to play Othello at the Royal National Theatre in London.

In 2008, he played Major Simon Brooks in The Palace. He also appeared on Celebrity Mastermind, where his special subject was Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials. He was also in the BBC films The Ruby in the Smoke and The Shadow in the North.

Playing Important Historical Figures

In 2009, David played Nelson Mandela in the BBC drama Mrs Mandela. He also played Brother Tuck in the TV series Robin Hood. He appeared in the Doctor Who story "The End of Time". He played Martin Luther King Jr. in the play The Mountaintop in London.

Major TV Series and Voice Acting

From 2011, Harewood starred as David Estes, a director at the CIA, in the TV series Homeland. His character was in 24 episodes. In 2011, he also voiced Captain Quinton Cole in the video game Battlefield 3.

In October 2015, he joined the cast of Supergirl. He played Hank Henshaw, but his character was later revealed to be J'onn J'onzz/Martian Manhunter. He played both roles in the series until 2021.

In 2024, David Harewood appeared in the Star Wars series The Acolyte. He played Senator Rayencourt, a member of the Galactic Senate.

Directing and Recognition

In October 2021, it was announced that David Harewood would direct his first film, For Whom The Bell Tolls. It is a boxing film about the rivalry between Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn.

David Harewood has received awards for his acting. He won Best Actor at the 2018 British Urban Film Festival awards for his role in "Free in Deed". He was also included in the 2019 edition of the Powerlist, which lists the 100 most influential Black Britons. His documentary Psychosis and Me was nominated for a BAFTA Television Award.

He was honored with the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2012 and the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2023 for his contributions to drama and charity. In February 2024, he became the new President of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

Other Interests and Activities

David Harewood is involved in several important causes and activities outside of acting.

Slavery Reparations Advocacy

Harewood supports the idea of slavery reparations and believes the British government should apologize for its role in the Atlantic slave trade. His ancestors were enslaved on a plantation in Barbados. Their surname, Harewood, came from the plantation owners.

He has worked with David Lascelles, 8th Earl of Harewood, a descendant of the plantation owners. They both believe an apology is needed. Harewood has visited Harewood House, which was built with profits from slavery, and discussed the topic in documentaries. In September 2023, a portrait of David Harewood was put on display at Harewood House. This was to acknowledge the connected history of their families.

Charity Work

In 2007, David Harewood donated his bone marrow, which helped save a patient's life. In 2013, he supported a campaign for the British Lung Foundation to ban smoking in cars when children are present.

Sports and Soccer Aid

David Harewood is a big fan of Birmingham City Football Club. He has played as a celebrity goalkeeper for England in Soccer Aid in 2018 and 2019. Soccer Aid is a charity football match that raises money for UNICEF. In 2018, he saved two penalties, helping England win and raising over £5 million for UNICEF.

Mental Health Advocacy

David Harewood is a strong supporter of mental health awareness. He made a BBC documentary in 2019 called David Harewood: My Psychosis and Me. This documentary shared his own experiences with mental health challenges. He has spoken openly about getting professional help for his mental health.

Personal Life

David Harewood married Kirsty Handy in February 2013 in Saint James, Barbados. They have two daughters and live in Streatham, London.

Filmography

Film

Television

Video games

Radio

David Harewood voiced Thurman Berkley in the BBC radio series Chambers in 1996.

He played Patroclus in the 1998 BBC radio trilogy Troy. He also played Henry Tilney in the Northanger Abbey radio adaptation in 2005. In 2012, he hosted a special BBC Radio 2 Friday Night is Music Night celebrating the life of Ray Charles.

Harewood played the Marquis de Carabas in the BBC Radio 4 Radio Play of Neverwhere in 2013.

In 2022, Harewood voiced Destruction of the Endless in an Audible audiobook of Neil Gaiman's comic The Sandman.

Awards and Nominations

• Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: Nominated (2012)
• Nashville Film Festival-Best Actor: Winner (2016)
• Independent Spirit Awards-Best Male Lead: Nominated (2017)
• Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actor on a Television Series: Nominated (2019)
• Edinburgh TV Festival-Variety Outstanding Achievement Award: Winner (2020)
• Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to drama (2023)

Images for kids

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  David Harewood in Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2024