Jonathan Harris biography. American character actor of stage and film (2025)

American character actor of stage and film Date of Birth: 06.11.1914Country: USA

Content:

1. Jonathan Harris: An American Character Actor
2. Early Life and Education
3. Acting Career
4. Personal Life and Legacy

Jonathan Harris: An American Character Actor

Jonathan Harris, an iconic American theater and film actor, is best known for his roles as the timid accountant Bradford Webster in the TV series "The Third Man" and the comedic villain Zachary Smith in the sci-fi series "Lost in Space." Towards the end of his career, Harris often lent his voice to animated characters, including the praying mantis Manny in "A Bug's Life" and the janitor Jerry in "Toy Story 2."

Early Life and Education

Jonathan Karasuhin, the second of three children, was born on November 6, 1914, in the Bronx, New York, to a family of poor immigrants with Russian-Jewish and Polish roots. At the age of 12, he started working at a pharmacy to earn extra money. Although his family was not wealthy, his father made an effort to take his children to the theater to listen to opera, in order to broaden their cultural horizons. Young Jonathan was captivated by these experiences. He worked hard to eliminate his Bronx accent and learned to imitate the English pronunciation. This rich voice with a noticeable British accent would later become his trademark.

In school, Jonathan excelled in English, Latin, history, and enthusiastically studied romantic poetry and, of course, Shakespeare. He did not have many friends, except for his girlfriend Gertrude Bregman, whom he married in 1938 and remained with for the rest of his life. They had a son named Richard in 1942. In 1932, at the age of 17, Jonathan legally changed his surname from Karasuhin to the more familiar Harris, although he was hesitant to tell his parents about it. He studied pharmacology at university, graduating in 1936, and worked in several pharmacies, but his love for the stage prevailed.

Acting Career

Two years later, Jonathan forged his resume and landed a job at a repertory theater on Long Island. He appeared in several productions before joining The Red Company. In 1942, Harris received his first leading role in the Broadway play "The Heart of a City," and in 1946, he delivered an outstanding performance in "A Flag Is Born" alongside Quentin Reynolds and Marlon Brando. In 1949, he made his television debut on "The Chevrolet Tele-Theatre," where he was frequently invited as a guest actor. Harris was also the first to have his name mentioned in the credits in this way. It would be easier to list popular TV shows of the 1950s and 60s in which Jonathan did not appear, rather than those in which he did. From 1959 to 1965, he played one of the main roles in the series "The Third Man." His character, Bradford Webster, an eccentric and timid assistant to the main protagonist, appeared in 73 out of 77 episodes. Half of the episodes were filmed in London, and the other half in Hollywood.

From 1963 to 1965, Jonathan starred in the comedy series "The Bill Dana Show," playing Mr. Phillips, a pompous hotel manager who constantly clashes with his clumsy Mexican bellboy (Bill Dana). From 1965 to 1968, Harris portrayed Dr. Zachary Smith in "Lost in Space." The character was deceitful, cowardly, and clearly villainous, yet so vibrant, lively, and memorable that Jonathan became the star of the show, with the plot of the third season revolving mainly around his character. While this role brought him tremendous popularity, it also led to him being typecast as a villain in future roles. Harris also worked extensively as a voice actor. His distinctive voice can be heard in many animated characters, including "Darkwing Duck," "A Bug's Life," "Toy Story 2," "Problem Child," "Happily Ever After," "Buzz Lightyear of Star Command," and others.

Personal Life and Legacy

Despite being a popular and sought-after actor, Jonathan always found time for his hobbies. He enjoyed cooking, reading, traveling, and watching movies. He attended operas and played the piano himself. He had a passion for painting, took care of his garden, and even knew how to knit. However, his greatest passion was his family. In late 2002, Harris and the rest of the cast of "Lost in Space" were preparing to film a two-hour movie called "Lost in Space: The Journey Back Home." However, just before production was set to begin, Harris was hospitalized due to back pain, which turned out to be a symptom of heart problems.

Jonathan Harris passed away on November 3, 2002, in Encino, California, from thrombosis, just three days before his 88th birthday.

Actor