Harry Hamlin

Harry Hamlin Headshot

Actor • Writer • Entrepreneur

Birth Date: October 30, 1951

Age: 72 years old

Birth Place: Pasadena, California

Spouses: Nicollette Sheridan, Lisa Rinna

Partners: Ursula Andress

With a résumé often overshadowed by his relationships with several Hollywood sex symbols, Harry Hamlin's acting career began promisingly and peaked with a hugely successful television series, but he ironically found its niche in the role of husband to a former soap opera star. After studying drama at Yale and earning his M.F.A. from San Francisco's American Conservatory Theater, Hamlin quickly made the leap to feature films, appearing in 1978's "Movie Movie," and nabbing the title role in the NBC miniseries "Studs Lonigan" (1979). He made a splash with the special effects-laden feature "Clash of the Titans" (1981), and went on to major stardom as part of a stellar ensemble on one of the biggest TV series of the 1980s, "L.A. Law" (NBC, 1986-1994). However, poor choices in both projects and women ultimately relegated Hamlin to sub-par direct-to-video fare and serving as fodder for the tabloids, respectively. Oddly enough, it was his celebrity marriage to onetime soap opera star Lisa Rinna that allowed Hamlin to once again enjoy both his offscreen life and the spotlight as one-half of a celebrity couple to a degree he had not known in well over a decade.

Born on Oct. 30, 1951, in Pasadena, CA, Hamlin attended the Flintridge Preparatory School in nearby La Cañada before continuing on to the prestigious boarding academy, The Hill School in Pottstown, PA. At the University of California, Berkley, Hamlin enrolled in the school's theater program only after the courses for his intended major were filled, but was soon enamored with the stage and chose to seriously pursue an acting career. In 1972, much to the dismay of his family, Hamlin transferred to Yale University where he earned a B.A. in drama in 1974. A scholarship to the American Conservatory Theater brought him back West to San Francisco, where Hamlin's real transformation into an actor occurred in the Advanced Actor Training Program. There, Hamlin starred in a production of "Equus," attracting the attention of director Stanley Donen, and receiving his M.F.

A in acting in 1976. That year, he was awarded a Fullbright Scholarship, but turned it down after landing his first feature film role as naïve boxer Joey Popchick in Donen's nostalgic comedy "Movie Movie" (1978), starring alongside the likes of George C. Scott and Red Buttons. Barely out of college, Hamlin was already off to a promising Hollywood start.

Around this time, Hamlin began a four-year relationship with original "Bond Girl," Ursula Andress, with whom he would father a son, Dmitri, in 1980. The couple remained a favorite subject of the gossip columns throughout their May-September romance. On television, Hamlin won the title role in the miniseries "Studs Lonigan" (NBC, 1979), for which the young actor received favorable notices. With "King of the Mountain" (1981), Hamlin won his first leading role in a feature film. Unfortunately, the tale of illegal street racing on Mulholland Drive stalled at the box office. Hamlin's next feature, however, would secure him a place in the hearts of fantasy-loving fanboys for decades to come. As the mortal Perseus in the Greek mythology adventure epic "Clash of the Titans" (1981), Hamlin would once again share screen time with film legends such as Laurence Olivier and Burgess Meredith, in addition to girlfriend Ursula Andress, who, naturally, took the role of Aphrodite. His bare-chest-laden exposure in "Clash of the Titans" resulted in more feature offers, but 1982's "Making Love" proved to be a poor follow-up choice. Directed by Arthur Hiller, the drama focused on a loving husband (Michael Ontkean) suddenly realizing he is in love with another man (Hamlin) and the resulting emotional turmoil as he struggles to tell his wife (Kate Jackson). For all its good intentions, less-than-accepting audiences stayed away in droves, effectively killing Hamlin's movie career.

After one more stab at the big screen in the box office bomb "Blue Skies Again" (1983), Hamlin returned to television with two more literary-inspired miniseries, "Master of the Game" (CBS, 1984), based on the Sidney Sheldon melodrama, and "James A. Michener's 'Space'" (CBS, 1985). In a continuing theme, Hamlin's personal life would continue to outshine his career. His relationship with aging sex symbol Andress had ended a few years earlier, and in 1986 Hamlin married actress Laura Johnson, a regular on the primetime soap "Falcon Crest" (CBS, 1981-1990). It was a tumultuous romance that would end in a messy divorce a few years later, once again salaciously covered in the tabloids. Suddenly, everything changed for Hamlin when he was cast as the brooding, intense attorney, Michael Kuzak, on the breakout hit series "L.A. Law" (NBC, 1986-1994). The show became the prototype for what would be a mainstay of episodic television - the legal drama. Hamlin's character was considered the show's moral lynchpin. With his chiseled good looks and onscreen chemistry with co-star Susan Dey, Hamlin's popularity exploded overnight, culminating in him receiving the dubious honor of being named People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" in 1987. The personal and professional upswing would not last, however, when, shortly after his ugly split from Johnson, Hamlin chose to exit the vehicle that had made him a household name, leaving the cast of "L.A. Law" in 1991.

The intent for leaving a No. 1 program was invariably to go on to bigger and better projects, however, the decade that followed was anything but stellar for Hamlin. In 1991, he married for a second time to yet another primetime soap vixen, Nicollette Sheridan of "Knots Landing" (CBS, 1979-1983). It did not last, and by 1993 the couple was divorced quite acrimoniously, to the delight of tabloid editors. In fact Hamlin took the split exceptionally hard, particularly after his bombshell ex took up with singer Michael Bolton almost immediately. Over the course of the 1990s, the former TV heartthrob appeared in an uneven string of direct-to-video erotic thrillers like "Under Investigation" (1993); television movies of a similar vein, "Her Deadly Rival" (CBS, 1995); and failed attempts at headlining another episodic series, "Movie Stars" (The WB, 1998-2000). Still, there was one bright spot in this otherwise faith-shaking period for Hamlin.

Shortly after rebounding from his breakup with Sheridan, he began dating Lisa Rinna, another actress known for her roles on daytime and primetime soaps, particularly "Days of our Lives" (NBC1965- ) and "Melrose Place (Fox, 1992-99), respectively. Apparently, the third time was a charm for Hamlin, as the couple married in 1997 and produced two daughters, Delilah and Amelia. Art imitated life, when Hamlin and Rinna took on recurring roles as a celebrity couple on the critically acclaimed crime-drama "Veronica Mars" (UPN, 2004-07). After cheering on Rinna from the sidelines the previous season, Hamlin strutted his stuff in 2006 as a celebrity cast member on season three of "Dancing with the Stars" (ABC, 2005- ). However, his less than graceful moves failed to impress, and he was voted off much earlier in the competition than his wife. In 2009, Hamlin made a brief appearance in the torturous murder mystery "Harper's Island" (CBS, 2008-09). The following year, the low-key Hamlin and the extroverted Rinna capitalized on the interest in their celebrity marriage with the launch of a reality series "Harry Loves Lisa" (TV Land, 2010). Balancing out the good with the bad was the break in and burglary of the couple's Sherman Oaks boutique clothing store twice within the span of a week in early October 2010. Hamlin returned to more credible television work with brief arcs on the military drama "Army Wives" (Lifetime 2007-2013) and the American adaptation of the black comedy "Shameless" (Showtime 2011- ). In 2013, he joined the cast of the Emmy-winning drama "Mad Men" (AMC 2007-15) as the straitlaced ad executive Jim Cutler, who clashes with the partners of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce when his agency suddenly merges with theirs.

Credits

Mayfair Witches: Cast Diaries

Actor
Cortland Mayfair
Show
2024

In the Kitchen with Harry Hamlin

Host
Series
2023

In the Kitchen with Harry Hamlin

Producer
Series
2023

Live with Kelly and MarkStream

Guest
Talk
2023

Mayfair WitchesStream

Actor
Cortland Mayfair
Series
2023
43%

80 for BradyStream

Actor
Dan
Movie
2023
58%

Sherri

Guest
Talk
2022

Access Daily With Mario & Kit

Guest
Show
2022

Flowers in the Attic: The OriginStream

Actor
Mr. Winfield
Miniseries
2022

AMC+ Fan Experience

Self
Show
2021

GMA3: What You Need to Know

Guest
Show
2020

Bless the HartsStream

Guest Voice
Rod
Series
2019
82%

The Kelly Clarkson ShowStream

Guest
Talk
2019

Access Daily

Guest
Show
2019

Tamron Hall

Guest
Talk
2019

Today With Hoda & Jenna

Guest
Show
2019

SoulBlazing With Lisa Haisha

Guest
Show
2018

No Alternative

Actor
William Harrison
Movie
2018

Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez MurdersStream

Guest Star
Barry Levin
Docudrama
2017
64%

Daily Blast Live

Guest
Show
2017

Live with Kelly and Ryan

Guest
Talk
2017

The Unattainable Story

Actor
David
Movie
2017

ShooterStream

Guest Star
Series
2016

GravesStream

Guest Star
Jonathan Dalton
Series
2016
55%

Rebirth

Actor
Gabe
Movie
2016

Director's Cut

Actor
Godfrey Winters / Himself
Movie
2016

The Fourth Noble Truth

Actor
Aaron
Movie
2015

The Fourth Noble Truth

Executive Producer
Movie
2015

Bleeding Heart

Actor
Ed
Movie
2015

The Meddler

Actor
Movie
2015

RushStream

Guest Star
Series
2014
39%

MomStream

Guest Star
Fred
Series
2013

The Queen Latifah Show

Guest
Talk
2013

Bethenny

Guest
Show
2013

Immigrant

Actor
Deema
Movie
2013

Home & Family

Guest
Talk
2012

Dangerous Attraction

Actor
Richard Steele
Movie
2012

Holiday High School Reunion

Actor
Mr. Taylor
Movie
2012

Franklin & BashStream

Guest Star
Rick Paxton
Series
2011
61%

ShamelessStream

Guest Star
Lloyd 'Ned' Lishman
Series
2010
82%

The Talk

Guest
Talk
2010

Harry Loves LisaStream

Self
Reality
2010

Access Hollywood Live

Guest
Show
2010

Hollywood Uncensored

Guest
Show
2010

Hollywood Uncensored

Guest Star
Show
2010

You Lucky Dog

Actor
Jim Rayborn
Movie
2010

Watch What Happens Live With Andy CohenStream

Guest
Talk
2009

GleeStream

Guest Star
Walter
Series
2009
70%

Harper's IslandStream

Actor
Uncle Marty Dunn
Series
2009
65%

The Wendy Williams Show

Guest
Talk
2008

Strange Wilderness

Actor
Sky Pierson
Movie
2008

Mad MenStream

Guest Star
Jim Cutler
Series
2007
94%

Army WivesStream

Guest Star
Professor Chandler
Series
2007

The Better Show

Guest
Show
2007

Rachael Ray ShowStream

Guest
Talk
2006

Between the Lines With Barry Kibrick

Guest
Show
2006

Hot Properties

Guest Star
Show
2005

Veronica MarsStream

Guest Star
Series
2004
91%

Tavis Smiley

Guest
Talk
2004

Arrested DevelopmentStream

Self
Series
2003
75%

Good Morning, Miami

Guest Star
Show
2002

Disappearance

Actor
Jim Henley
Movie
2002

L.A. Law: The Movie

Actor
Michael Kuzak
Movie
2002

Shoot or Be Shot

Actor
Jack Yeager
Movie
2002

Live With Regis and Kelly

Guest
Show
2001

Sex, Lies & Obsession

Actor
Cameron Thomas
Movie
2001

Bratty Babies

Actor
Chad Norris
Movie
2001

Perfume

Actor
Hancock
Movie
2001

Roads to Riches

Actor
Dan Smith
Movie
2001

Curb Your EnthusiasmStream

Guest Star
Dino
Series
2000
92%

Quarantine

Actor
President Kempers
Movie
2000

Law & Order: Special Victims UnitStream

Guest Star
Chief Charles Patton
Series
1999
78%

Movie Stars

Actor
Reese Hardin
Show
1999

Silent Predators

Actor
Vic Rondelli
Movie
1999

Una Navidad En Aprietos

Actor
Tyler Madison
Movie
1998

Allie & Me

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Dustin Halaburton
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1998

The Hunted

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Doc Kovac
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1998

Frogs for Snakes

Actor
Klench
Movie
1998

Stranger in Town

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Jack
Movie
1998

Like Father, Like Santa

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Tyler Madison
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1998

Night Sins

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Chief Mitch Holt
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1997

Piège pour un flic

Actor
Movie
1997

Badge of Betrayal

Actor
Sheriff Dave Ward
Movie
1997

Night Sins

Actor
Chief Mitch Holt
Movie
1997

Ink

Guest Star
Show
1996

Access Hollywood

Guest
News
1996

The Celluloid ClosetStream

Actor
Movie
1996
97%

The Outer LimitsStream

Actor
Ford
Series
1995

OP Center

Actor
Show
1995

Her Deadly Rival

Actor
Jim Lansford
Movie
1995

Touched by an AngelStream

Guest Star
Series
1994

In the Best of Families: Marriage, Pride and Madness

Actor
Show
1994

Ebbtide

Actor
Jeff Warren
Movie
1994

Pasión Mortal

Actor
Movie
1994

The NannyStream

Guest Star
Series
1993

Investigaciones

Actor
Movie
1993

Poisoned by Love: The Kern County Murders

Actor
Steve Catlin
Movie
1993

Under Investigation

Actor
Detective Harry Keaton
Movie
1993

Save Me

Actor
Jim Stevens
Movie
1993

Libéralos del Mal: La Toma de Alta View

Actor
Movie
1992

Deliver Them From Evil: The Taking of Alta View

Actor
Richard Worthington
Movie
1992

Intenciones Criminales

Actor
Movie
1991

Deadly Intentions... Again?

Actor
Charles Raynor
Movie
1991

Law & OrderStream

Guest Star
Series
1990

Deceptions

Actor
Nick Gentry
Movie
1990

The SimpsonsStream

Guest Voice
Himself
Series
1989
85%

Favorite Son

Actor
Senator Terry Fallon
Miniseries
1988

Laguna Heat

Actor
Tom Shephard
Movie
1987

La Vérité cachée

Actor
Movie
1987

L.A. LawStream

Actor
Michael Kuzak
Series
1986

L.A. Law

Actor
Movie
1986

L.A. Law

Actor
Michael Kuzak
Movie
1986

Space

Actor
Miniseries
1985

Maxie

Self
Movie
1985

Master of the Game

Actor
Anthony 'Tony' James Blackwell
Show
1984

The Hitchhiker

Actor
Show
1983

Blue Skies Again

Actor
Sandy
Movie
1983

Entertainment Tonight

Guest
News
1981

Clash of the TitansStream

Actor
Perseus
Movie
1981
64%

King of the Mountain

Actor
Steve
Movie
1981

Making Love

Actor
Bart McGuire
Movie
1981

Movie Movie

Actor
Joey Popchik
Movie
1978

Today

Guest
News
1952

News aboutHarry Hamlin

Harry Hamlin in 'In the Kitchen with Harry Hamlin: A Holiday Special'
Preview

‘In the Kitchen’: Harry Hamlin Reveals Julia Child Recipe He Makes Every Christmas Eve

Jacob Anderson and Sam Reid in 'Interview With the Vampire' (L); Alexandra Daddario in 'Mayfair Witches' (R)

Third Series in Anne Rice Immortal Universe in Development at AMC

Alexandra Daddario in 'Mayfair Witches'
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‘Mayfair Witches’ Finale: Inside Rowan’s Ending & What Her Choice Means

Alexandra Daddario in 'Mayfair Witches'

‘Mayfair Witches’ Gets Early Season 2 Renewal at AMC

Tongayi Chirisa (L) and Harry Hamlin (R) in 'Mayfair Witches'
Preview

How ‘Mayfair Witches’ Is Racing Towards Major Reveals & Shocking Finale (VIDEO)

Harry Hamlin in 'Mayfair Witches' Season 1
Q&A

‘Mayfair Witches’: Harry Hamlin Explains Cortland’s Self-Serving Motives With Deirdre

Harry Hamlin Lisa Rinna

Harry Hamlin Backs Lisa Rinna’s Choice to Leave ‘RHOBH’: ‘It’s Time’

'Mayfair Witches' star Alexandra Daddario
Review

Roush Review: ‘Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches’ Are Less Than Bewitching

Alexandra Daddario in 'Mayfair Witches'

‘Mayfair Witches’: See How Rowan’s Powers Work in All New Trailer (VIDEO)

The Cast of 'Mayfair Witches' at New York Comic Con - Jack Huston, Harry Hamlin, and Tongayi Chirisa
Preview

‘Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches’ Cast on Lasher’s ‘Presence’ and Filming in NOLA (VIDEO)

Alexandra Daddario in 'Anne Rice's Mayfair Witches'
Comic-Con

‘Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches’ Trailer & Premiere Date Revealed at NYCC (VIDEO)

Anne Rice's Mayfair Witches cast amc

‘Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches’: See Alexandra Daddario, Harry Hamlin & More in AMC Adaptation (PHOTOS)

Alexandra Daddario as Dr. Rowan Fielding - Mayfair Witches

‘Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches’ Cast: First Look at Alexandra Daddario, Harry Hamlin & More (PHOTOS)

Flowers In The Attic: The Origins - Max Irons and Jemima Rooper
Exclusive

Watch a Life-Changing Moment in Lifetime’s Horrific ‘Flowers in the Attic: The Origin’ (VIDEO)

Harry Hamlin attends the Nat Geo's The Hot Zone: Anthrax

Harry Hamlin to Star in ‘Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches’ on AMC

Review

Roush Review: An Anthrax Scare Depicted in a Tepid ‘Hot Zone’

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‘Flowers in the Attic’ Prequel Series ‘The Origin’ Ordered at Lifetime

Sela Ward as Margaret Graves in Graves

‘Graves’: Does Harry Hamlin’s Billionaire Have Designs on Sela Ward’s Margaret?