KELVIN HARRISON JR.

Kelvin Harrison Jr. is an award-winning screen actor who recently made waves as the titular star of dir. Stephen Williams’s “Chevalier,” a biographical drama about French-Caribbean conductor and composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges. In their review of the 2023 film, The A.V Club called Harrison “one of the most exciting actors of his generation.”

Harrison worked on AMC’s “Into the Badlands,” Crackle’s “StartUp,” and WGN’s “Underground” before taking the role of ‘Winslow’ in the History Channel’s “Roots” mini-series. In 2016, Harrison landed the role of ‘Simon’ in FOX Searchlight’s “The Birth of a Nation,” which won the Audience Award and Grand Jury Prize in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival. In 2017 Harrison’s performance in “It Comes at Night” earned him a 2017 Gotham Independent Film Award nomination for “Breakthrough Actor.” After first taking on leading roles in 2018’s “Monster” and “Monsters and Men,” Harrison has become one of the most recognizable faces in independent film. He has since had starring roles in films including “Jinn,” which won a Special Jury Award at the SXSW Film Festival, “JT Leroy” opposite Kristen Stewart, “Luce” opposite Octavia Spencer and Naomi Watts, and “The Wolf Hour,” also starring Naomi Watts. Harrison was also applauded for his performance in A24’s “Waves,” in which he starred opposite Lucas Hedges and Sterling K. Brown. 

Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, Harrison was exposed to the performing arts at an early age, growing up in a family of musicians. After learning to play the piano and trumpet as a child, Harrison moved on to study jazz at the New Orleans Center for Creative Art. It was at the prestigious art school that Harrison developed his passion for performing. He began performing in local theater shows and musicals before enrolling at the University of New Orleans to study film. Early into his undergraduate career, Harrison booked a small role in “Ender’s Game,” an experience that empowered him to further pursue his passion for acting.

The young actor loves his craft and enjoys researching and preparing for characters he plays. He is most inspired by the work of actor Chiwetel Ejiofor and director Mike Nichols. Outside of acting, Harrison is also a black belt in Korean martial arts and enjoys playing music. When not working, Harrison enjoys hanging out with friends and painting.