David Harbour Bio
David Kenneth Harbour (born April 10, 1975) is an American actor. He gained global recognition for his portrayal of Jim Hopper in the Netflix science fiction series Stranger Things (2016–present), for which he received two nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. His starring film roles include the title character in Hellboy (2019), Santa Claus in Violent Night (2022), and a former racer in the sports film Gran Turismo (2023). Harbour has played Red Guardian in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including the films Black Widow (2021) and Thunderbolts (2025). Harbour also voiced Eric Frankenstein in the animated television series Creature Commandos (2024–present).
Early Life and Background
David Harbour was born in White Plains, New York, to Kenneth and Nancy Harbour, both of whom work in real estate—his mother in residential and his father in commercial. He attended Byram Hills High School in Armonk, New York, along with actors Sean Maher and Eyal Podell. Harbour graduated from Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, in 1997, where he majored in drama and Italian and was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. As a young man in New York City, Harbour participated in gambling at underground poker clubs and attests that he personally knew the gangster who was the basis for John Malkovich’s character “Teddy KGB” in the 1998 film Rounders.
Path to Hollywood
From 1994 to 1997, Harbour performed with The Theater at Monmouth at Cumston Hall in Monmouth, Maine, where he acted in Shakespearian productions such as The Tempest, Much Ado About Nothing, The Winter’s Tale, and Hamlet. He began acting professionally on Broadway in 1999, in the revival of The Rainmaker. He made his television debut that year on the television show Law & Order, playing a waiter. He appeared again in 2002 in an episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, playing a child murderer. He had the recurring role of MI6 agent Roger Anderson in the ABC series Pan Am. In 2005, he was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance as Nick in the revival of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?. Harbour is also known for his role as CIA Agent Gregg Beam in Quantum of Solace, as Shep Campbell in Revolutionary Road, and as Russell Crowe’s source in State of Play. He also received praise for his role as spree killer Paul Devildis in a 2009 episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent. His other film credits include Brokeback Mountain, The Green Hornet, End of Watch, and Between Us. In 2013, he had a small role of a head doctor in the television series Elementary. From 2012 to 2014, he also had the recurring role of Elliot Hirsch in The Newsroom.
David Harbour Career
Early Career (1994–2013)
Harbour’s career began in theater, where he honed his craft before transitioning to television and film. His early work included various stage productions and television roles that gradually built his reputation in the industry. Notable performances during this time included his role in the revival of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, which earned him a Tony Award nomination. He also appeared in films such as Quantum of Solace and Revolutionary Road, showcasing his versatility as an actor.
Breakthrough (2014–Present)
In 2014, Harbour played the recurring character of Dr. Reed Akley in the first season of the historical drama series Manhattan. In 2015, he was cast as Chief Jim Hopper in the Netflix science fiction horror series Stranger Things. For that role, he has received nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2017 and 2018, and the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film in 2018. He won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in 2017 along with the rest of the cast. Harbour starred as the title character in the superhero reboot film Hellboy in 2019. He most recently portrayed Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Black Widow in 2021, and reprised the role in Thunderbolts in 2025. He also had starring roles in the Christmas action comedy film Violent Night in 2022, and in the Neill Blomkamp sports film Gran Turismo in 2023 based on the PlayStation video game series.
Notable Works and Milestones
David Harbour’s signature work includes his role in Stranger Things, which has become a cultural phenomenon. His performances have garnered critical acclaim, leading to multiple award nominations and a dedicated fan base. He has successfully transitioned from theater to television and film, showcasing his range as an actor across various genres.
David Harbour Award Nominations
Throughout his career, David Harbour has received several nominations for prestigious awards, including the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series and the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film. His work in Stranger Things has been particularly recognized, contributing to his reputation as a talented actor in the industry.
David Harbour Awards Won
David Harbour has won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series for his role in Stranger Things. This recognition highlights his contributions to the success of the series and his ability to work collaboratively within an ensemble cast.
David Harbour Family
David Harbour was born to Kenneth and Nancy Harbour. He has been married to English singer-songwriter Lily Allen since September 7, 2020, although reports indicate that they have separated as of December 2024.
Personal Life
Harbour has had relationships with Alison Sudol and Julia Stiles prior to his marriage to Lily Allen. He has openly discussed his struggles with alcoholism and mental health, having been diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age 26. Harbour enjoys watching Let’s Plays and speedruns of old video games and is a fan of the NHL’s New York Rangers.
