Leonard Harris: The Life and Career of a Versatile Actor, Critic, and Author

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Leonard Harris (September 27, 1929 – August 28, 2011) was an American actor, critic, and author. Despite having a very short career as a film actor, he is known for his developed roles as Senator Charles Palantine in the film Taxi Driver (1976) and the mayor in Hero at Large (1980).

Leonard Jerome Harris was born in Bronx County on September 27, 1929. He graduated from City College and served in the Army at Fort Dix during the Korean War. In 1961 he married Mary Ann Wurth. From his marriage to Mary they had two children: Sarah and David Harris. Leonard and Mary divorced in 1973. He also had homes in Stanfordville, New York State, and West Palm Beach, Florida.

Leonard Harris began his career writing obituaries and book reviews for the Hartford Courant in 1958. In 1966 he became cultural critic for WCBS-TV in New York City; a position he held until 1974. Leonard went on to publish three novels and later in his career he also worked as a television writer. In the late ’80s and early ’90s, he served on the Tony Awards Nominating Committee.

Leonar Harris also played the mayor in the 1980 romantic comedy, Hero at Large. His first novel was The Masada Plan, which novelist Meyer Levin called in The New York Times Book Review “gripping, fast-paced, and designed for experts.” A fourth novel was published after his death.

Leonard Harris died on August 28, 2011 in Hartford, Connecticut, at the age of 81, due to complications from pneumonia.

Filmography[editar]

Movie[editar]

Television[editar]

Year Title Role Notes 1967 Eye on art Narrator Documentary series

Episode: “The Walls Fall Down”

1973 What’s my line? Himself 1 episode

Bibliography[editar]

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