Having garnered a Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture Acting Debut in the musical comedy “Movie Movie,” it is no wonder that Harry Hamlin has been steadily working in television, film, and stage for three decades. He appeared on AMC’s “Mad Men,” for which he garnered an Emmy nomination, recurred on Showtime’s “Shameless” as well as USA Network’s medical drama “Rush,” and made memorable guest appearances on the likes of “Mom,” “Glee,” Amazon’s “Salem Rogers,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” and “Franklin & Bash.”
He’s since filmed a kinky cameo in the thriller “Bleeding Heart” with Jessica Biel and Zosia Mamet, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, along with his film “Rebirth,” starred for director Penn Jillette’s Slamdance opener “Director’s Cut,” in Sundance’s New Frontiers virtual reality feature “Defrost,” and filmed an arc on USA Network’s “Shooter” with Ryan Phillippe.
Hamlin followed wife Lisa Rinna’s lead as a participant on ABC’s top-rated “Dancing with the Stars,” for which they also completed a nationwide tour. They next united in the Broadway revival of “Chicago” as Billy Flynn and Roxie Hart, and starred in their very own TV Land reality series “Harry Loves Lisa” that coincided with the launch of his Scribner memoir Full Frontal Nudity. He also portrayed gregarious Uncle Marty on the CBS murder mystery “Harper’s Island,” the debonair yet troublesome actor Aaron Echolls on the critically acclaimed “Veronica Mars,” lead the cast of the comedy series “Movie Stars,” and completed an arc on “Army Wives.”
Hamlin received an additional three consecutive Golden Globe nominations for his memorable role as attorney Michael Kuzak on Steven Bochco’s “L.A. Law.” The cast reunited some ten years later for a highly anticipated reunion movie. In the interim, Hamlin has starred in some two dozen telefilms and mini-series.
On the big screen, Hamlin appeared as Adam Sandler’s nature host rival in the FOX comedy “Strange Wilderness.” He previously starred as Perseus in the cult favorite “Clash of the Titans” with Sir Lawrence Olivier, in the ground-breaking and controversial “Making Love” about a gay relationship in the early-’80s, and the dramas “Immigrant,” “The Fourth Noble Truth” which took home honors at the Sonoma International Film Festival, and most recently, “The Meddler” with Susan Sarandon, Rose Byrne, and J.K. Simmons.
Equally impressive is his being honored as People Magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive,” an honor with which his actress wife undoubtedly agrees. The two reside in Los Angeles with their two daughters. He also has an older son with actress Ursula Andress.
Hamlin is a classically trained actor having received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Drama from Yale University, followed by a Master of Fine Arts in Acting from The American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco. He most recently received accolades for his star turn in the Los Angeles production of “One November Yankee.” When not continuing to hone his craft, he is an active environmentalist.