Hill Harper facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hill Harper
Harper c. 2013–2016
Born	Frank Eugene Harper (1966-05-17) May 17, 1966 (age 59) Iowa City, Iowa, U.S.
Other names	Frank Harper F. Hill Harper
Education	Brown University (BA) Harvard University (MPA, JD)
Occupation	Actor politician author
Years active	1993–present
Political party	Democratic
Children	1

Frank Eugene "Hill" Harper was born on May 17, 1966. He is an American actor and a politician. You might know him best from his acting roles. He played Dr. Sheldon Hawkes in the TV show CSI: NY. He was also Agent Spelman Boyle in Limitless. More recently, he played Dr. Marcus Andrews in The Good Doctor.

Harper also ran for a political office. He was a candidate in the Democratic Party election for a U.S. Senate seat in Michigan in 2024.

Early Life and School

Harper was born in Iowa City, Iowa. His father, Harry D. Harper, II, was a psychiatrist. This is a doctor who helps people with their thoughts and feelings. His mother, Marilyn Harper, was one of the first black anesthesiologists in the U.S. An anesthesiologist is a doctor who gives medicine to make you sleep during surgery.

His birth name was Francis Eugene Harper. He chose the name "Hill" to honor his family members from the past.

Harper started acting when he was just 7 years old. He finished high school at Bella Vista High School in 1984.

After high school, Harper went to Brown University. He graduated with high honors in 1988. Later, in 1992, he earned a law degree from Harvard Law School. He also got a Master's degree from Harvard Kennedy School. While at Harvard, he was part of a theater group called Boston's Black Folks Theater Company. He also played basketball with his friend, who later became President Barack Obama.

After finishing school, Harper decided to become a full-time actor. He moved to Los Angeles to follow his dream.

Acting Career

Harper speaking at the Missouri Theatre in 2014

Hill Harper became more well-known through his roles in different movies. These included Beloved (1998) and the romantic comedy Loving Jezebel (1999). He also appeared in The Skulls (2000).

One of his most praised roles was in the movie The Visit (2000). In this movie, he played a prisoner who was very sick and trying to improve his life. He also acted in the 2010 movie Stonehenge Apocalypse.

In 2013, his TV show CSI: NY ended. After that, Harper joined the cast of Covert Affairs.

Harper has also acted in plays. From April to May 2015, he was in an Off-Broadway play called ToasT. This play was about prisoners at Attica Prison during a riot in 1971. He also starred in another Off-Broadway play, Our Lady of 121st Street, in 2018. This play was a dark comedy about former students looking for their teacher's stolen body.

Besides acting on screen and stage, Hill Harper also does voice-over work. He has lent his voice to the CSI: NY – The Video Game and the Breathe Bible. He also hosts podcasts like Legal Wars and 5-Factor Authentication.

Writing and Helping Others

Harper at a book signing in St. Louis in 2007

Hill Harper has written several books. His first book, Letters to a Young Brother: MANifest Your Destiny, came out in 2006. He also wrote Letters to a Young Sister: DeFINE Your Destiny in 2008. In 2010, he published The Conversation: How (Black) Men and Women Can Build Loving, Trusting Relationships.

He also wrote The Wealth Cure: Putting Money in Its Place and The Wiley Boys in 2011. His book Letters to an Incarcerated Brother was published in 2013. Both Barack Obama and Michelle Obama helped with some of his books.

In 2008, Harper was part of a music video called "Yes We Can". This video supported Barack Obama when he was running for president. Harper also helped raise money for Obama's campaign.

Harper supports campaigns that help children in need. He endorsed a program that gave 10,000 backpacks to disadvantaged children.

In 2016, Harper became a national spokesperson for the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. This group works to protect civil rights.

He also started his own group called the Manifest Your Destiny Foundation. This foundation helps young people who don't have many opportunities. It offers them mentors, scholarships, and grants.

Running for U.S. Senate

On July 10, 2023, Hill Harper announced he would run for the 2024 United States Senate election in Michigan. He ran as a Democrat to take the place of Senator Debbie Stabenow, who was retiring. He said he was the "most progressive candidate" in the race. This means he supports more left-leaning ideas.

Harper supports things like universal healthcare. This means everyone would have access to health care. He also wants to get rid of the filibuster in the Senate. If he were elected, he would be the only U.S. senator who is also a member of a union, because he belongs to SAG-AFTRA.

In November 2023, Harper got attention for turning down a large amount of money. He said he was offered $20 million if he would stop running for Senate. He refused the offer. He has also asked for a "humanitarian ceasefire" in the conflict in Gaza.

Other Projects

Be the Architect

Harper was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. This made him look into how skin care products affect our bodies. Because of this, he created his own natural skin care line for men and women. It is called Be the Architect.

The Black Wall Street

On May 31, 2021, Hill Harper and his partners started "The Black Wall Street." This is a digital platform that helps people learn about money. It aims to help close the wealth gap between different groups of people.

Awards and Honors

In 2008, Harper became a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.

He received the 2011 Freedom Award. This award honors people who have done important work in civil rights. He got the award from the National Civil Rights Museum for his Manifest Your Destiny Foundation.

In 2018, he was nominated for an award for his acting in the play Our Lady of 121st Street.

On December 5, 2021, the Museum of African American History in Boston honored Hill Harper. They gave him a Living Legends award called The Garrison Silver Cup.

Personal Life

While writing one of his books, The Wealth Cure, Harper found out he had thyroid cancer. After getting treatment, he was given a clean bill of health.

In November 2015, Harper decided to adopt a baby boy. The adoption was completed in May 2017.

In 2018, Harper bought a historic house in Detroit, Michigan, and moved there.

Filmography

Film Roles

Television Roles

Theatre Roles

Images for kids

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  Harper c. 2013–2016

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  Harper speaking at the Missouri Theatre in 2014

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  Harper at a book signing in St. Louis in 2007

See also

In Spanish: Hill Harper para niños