---
name: "William Jackson Harper"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/william-jackson-harper"
fi1m_id: "william-jackson-harper"
imdb_id: "nm2860379"
tmdb_id: 1410478
wikidata_id: "Q28133940"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "8 February 1980"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 6
average_fi1m_score: 74
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 6
updated: "2026-09-30T20:24:10.507559+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# William Jackson Harper

## Identity

William Jackson Harper

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/william-jackson-harper
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** william-jackson-harper
- **IMDb ID:** nm2860379
- **TMDB ID:** 1410478
- **Wikidata ID:** Q28133940
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Jackson_Harper, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q28133940, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2860379/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1410478

Actor. Born 8 February 1980 in Dallas, Texas, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 8 February 1980, Dallas, Texas, USA
- **Active:** 2016–present
- **Also known as:** William Fitzgerald Harper
- **Average Fi1m score:** 74, as actor, over 6 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 2010s 82 (3), 2020s 65 (3)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 77 to 75 across 5 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 1 at 60–79, 2 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 5 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 4, Comedy 2, Sci-Fi & Fantasy 2, Action 1, Adventure 1, Crime 1
- **Screen time:** 7 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $527m across 3 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Jackson_Harper, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q28133940, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2860379/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1410478

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*The Good Place*](https://film.one/tv/the-good-place.md) (84), [*Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania*](https://film.one/film/ant-man-and-the-wasp-quantumania.md) (54)
- **HBO Max:** [*Midsommar*](https://film.one/film/midsommar.md) (79)
- **Apple TV:** [*American Hostage*](https://film.one/tv/american-hostage.md) (56)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on William Jackson Harper

> William Jackson Harper makes anxious, intellectually driven characters easy to read through precise speech and physical detail. We rate his restraint, but would welcome more film roles that ask something other than indecision of him.

William Jackson Harper makes a character’s uncertainty audible in the care with which he speaks. There is similar precision in his physical acting, making inner conflict clear without much fuss. Chidi Anagonye in *The Good Place* (2016–2020) brought him wider recognition, and the anxious, intellectually driven man remains central to his screen identity. We value the restraint, though the frequency of those roles can make it harder to see what else a film might ask of him.

*Paterson* (2016), in which he plays Everett for Jim Jarmusch, is where we would start with the film work. Jarmusch makes ordinary days absorbing, with Adam Driver giving the quiet stretches plenty to watch. We were unexpectedly comforted by the attention paid to a bus driver’s working week. Harper has a supporting role here; the film is worth seeing without pretending it is primarily an occasion to watch him.

His subsequent film work includes Josh in Ari Aster’s *Midsommar* (2019), then Quaz in Peyton Reed’s *Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania* (2023). The latter is a much less persuasive reason to spend an evening with him. Its subatomic universe loses too much of the series’ small-scale appeal, and Jonathan Majors and Michelle Pfeiffer are its principal compensations. We would not recommend it on Harper’s presence alone, or treat its shortcomings as a judgement on his acting.

The stage work gives a fuller picture than those supporting film credits. In *Primary Trust* (2023), his Kenneth made complicated feelings clear through restraint; he followed it with Astrov in *Uncle Vanya* (2024). His ability to hold attention through extended monologues suggests he can sustain a scene without needing constant exchanges with an ensemble. The caveat is how readily anxiety has become the expected assignment. We would welcome a substantial film part that lets him get on with something other than worrying.

## Biography

William Jackson Harper is an American actor and playwright. Born William Fitzgerald Harper on 8 February 1980 in Dallas, Texas, he grew up in Garland and graduated from the College of Santa Fe in 2003. He began his career in theatre and chose his professional name when registering with Actors' Equity.

Harper is best known for portraying Chidi Anagonye in the NBC series *The Good Place* (2016–2020), for which he received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination. His film roles include Everett in *Paterson* (2016), Josh in *Midsommar* (2019), James Ross in *Dark Waters* (2019) and Quaz in *Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania* (2023). He has also appeared in *The Electric Company* (2009–2011) and written plays including *Travisville* (2018).

Harper made his Broadway debut in *All the Way* (2014) and received a Tony Award nomination for his performance in the 2024 revival of *Uncle Vanya*.

*Sources: imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org, variety.com.*

## On Fi1m (6)

- *American Hostage* (2026), Fi1m 56, as Ben Hairston — [page](https://film.one/tv/american-hostage.md)
- *Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania* (2023), Fi1m 54, as Quaz — [page](https://film.one/film/ant-man-and-the-wasp-quantumania.md)
- *The Underground Railroad* (2021), Fi1m 86, as Royal — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-underground-railroad.md)
- *Midsommar* (2019), Fi1m 79, as Josh — [page](https://film.one/film/midsommar.md)
- *Paterson* (2016), Fi1m 84, as Everett — [page](https://film.one/film/paterson.md)
- *The Good Place* (2016), Fi1m 84, as Chidi Anagonye — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-good-place.md)

## Complete filmography (40)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *American Hostage* (2026), series, as Ben Hairston — Fi1m 56, [page](https://film.one/tv/american-hostage.md)
- *The Life and Deaths of Wilson Shedd* (2026), Actor
- *A Man in Full* (2024), series, as Wes Jordan
- *Elsbeth* (2024), series, as Gary Pidgeon
- *Landscape with Invisible Hand* (2023), as Mr. Campbell
- *Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania* (2023), as Quaz — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/ant-man-and-the-wasp-quantumania.md)
- *The Resort* (2022), series, as Noah Reed
- *Death to 2021* (2021), as Zero Fournine
- *Dogs in Space* (2021), series, as Loaf (voice)
- *Inside Job* (2021), series, as Bryan Jacobsen / Bryan Bot (voice)
- *The Underground Railroad* (2021), series, as Royal — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-underground-railroad.md)
- *We Broke Up* (2021), as Doug
- *These Days* (2021), series, as Will
- *The Man in the Woods* (2020), as Buster Heath
- *David* (2020), as David
- *Blithe Spirit* (2020), as Charles Condomine
- *Love Life* (2020), series, as Marcus Watkins · Executive Producer
- *Stars in the House* (2020), series, as Charles Condomine
- *Dark Waters* (2019), as James Ross
- *The Morning Show* (2019), series, as Ben Rusch
- *Midsommar* (2019), as Josh — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/film/midsommar.md)
- *Lost Holiday* (2019), as Mark
- *Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan* (2018), series, as Xander
- *The Root of Happiness* (2018), as Will
- *We Win* (2018), as Ben
- *They Remain* (2018), as Keith
- *Paterson* (2016), as Everett — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/paterson.md)
- *The Good Place* (2016), series, as Chidi Anagonye — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-good-place.md)
- *How To Tell You're A Douchebag* (2016), as Jake Brown
- *The Breaks* (2016), as Stephen Jenkins
- *True Story* (2015), as Zak Rausch
- *That's What She Said* (2012), as Harry
- *Person of Interest* (2011), series, as Stroble — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/person-of-interest.md)
- *Unforgettable* (2011), series, as Arnold
- *All Good Things* (2010), as Moynihan's Assistant
- *30 Rock* (2006), series, as Rioter — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/30-rock.md)
- *American Dad!* (2005), series, as Nathaniel (voice), General Store Cashier (voice)
- *Law & Order: Criminal Intent* (2001), series, as Chayne Danforth
- *Law & Order* (1990), series, as Derek Waldron — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md)
- *Cry Wolf*, series, as Arthur

## Gallery

- ![William Jackson Harper](https://film.one/media/person/21723/gallery-f8f9f59985c5.jpg) William Jackson Harper — aitchisons from United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b6/William_Jackson_Harper_at_the_2018_Comic-Con_International_%2842913092745%29_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Cast and crew of NBC's 'The Good Place' discuss the show in the Indigo Ballroom at the San Diego Hilton Bayfront Hotel during San Diego Comic Con on July 21, 20 (2018)](https://film.one/media/person/21723/gallery-e6a7978a3e60.jpg) Cast and crew of NBC's 'The Good Place' discuss the show in the Indigo Ballroom at the San Diego Hilton Bayfront Hotel during San Diego Comic Con on July 21, 20 (2018) — aitchisons from United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/18/%27The_Good_Place%27_cast_and_crew_visit_San_Diego_Comic_Con_for_a_panel_%2829947186688%29.jpg/1280px-%27The_Good_Place%27_cast_and_crew_visit_San_Diego_Comic_Con_for_a_panel_%2829947186688%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Cast and crew of NBC's 'The Good Place' discuss the show in the Indigo Ballroom at the San Diego Hilton Bayfront Hotel during San Diego Comic Con on July 21, 20 (2018)](https://film.one/media/person/21723/gallery-42a0c18131dc.jpg) Cast and crew of NBC's 'The Good Place' discuss the show in the Indigo Ballroom at the San Diego Hilton Bayfront Hotel during San Diego Comic Con on July 21, 20 (2018) — aitchisons from United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/72/%27The_Good_Place%27_cast_and_crew_visit_San_Diego_Comic_Con_for_a_panel_%2842913092745%29.jpg/1280px-%27The_Good_Place%27_cast_and_crew_visit_San_Diego_Comic_Con_for_a_panel_%2842913092745%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Cast and crew of NBC's 'The Good Place' discuss the show in the Indigo Ballroom at the San Diego Hilton Bayfront Hotel during San Diego Comic Con on July 21, 20 (2018)](https://film.one/media/person/21723/gallery-5aa0b022dd9a.jpg) Cast and crew of NBC's 'The Good Place' discuss the show in the Indigo Ballroom at the San Diego Hilton Bayfront Hotel during San Diego Comic Con on July 21, 20 (2018) — aitchisons from United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/88/%27The_Good_Place%27_cast_and_crew_visit_San_Diego_Comic_Con_for_a_panel_%2842913092835%29.jpg/1280px-%27The_Good_Place%27_cast_and_crew_visit_San_Diego_Comic_Con_for_a_panel_%2842913092835%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![William Jackson Harper](https://film.one/media/person/21723/gallery-da0832f771ba.jpg) William Jackson Harper — Image via TMDB
- ![Cast and crew of NBC's 'The Good Place' discuss the show in the Indigo Ballroom at the San Diego Hilton Bayfront Hotel during San Diego Comic Con on July 21, 20 (2018)](https://film.one/media/person/21723/gallery-6439f1965ac1.jpg) Cast and crew of NBC's 'The Good Place' discuss the show in the Indigo Ballroom at the San Diego Hilton Bayfront Hotel during San Diego Comic Con on July 21, 20 (2018) — aitchisons from United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/%27The_Good_Place%27_cast_and_crew_visit_San_Diego_Comic_Con_for_a_panel_%2842913095365%29.jpg/1280px-%27The_Good_Place%27_cast_and_crew_visit_San_Diego_Comic_Con_for_a_panel_%2842913095365%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Cast and crew of NBC's 'The Good Place' discuss the show in the Indigo Ballroom at the San Diego Hilton Bayfront Hotel during San Diego Comic Con on July 21, 20 (2018)](https://film.one/media/person/21723/gallery-8165dddd4c01.jpg) Cast and crew of NBC's 'The Good Place' discuss the show in the Indigo Ballroom at the San Diego Hilton Bayfront Hotel during San Diego Comic Con on July 21, 20 (2018) — aitchisons from United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/23/%27The_Good_Place%27_cast_and_crew_visit_San_Diego_Comic_Con_for_a_panel_%2843100194174%29.jpg/1280px-%27The_Good_Place%27_cast_and_crew_visit_San_Diego_Comic_Con_for_a_panel_%2843100194174%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/william-jackson-harper