Josh Hartnett

Josh Hartnett
Hartnett in 2014
Born
Joshua Daniel Hartnett

(1978-07-21) July 21, 1978
OccupationActor
Years active1997–present
Spouse
​
(m. 2021)​
Children4

Joshua Daniel Hartnett (born July 21, 1978) is an American actor. He began his career on ABC's drama series Cracker (1997–1998), after which he became known as a teen idol through starring parts in films such as Halloween H20: 20 Years Later, The Faculty (both 1998), The Virgin Suicides (1999), Pearl Harbor, O, Black Hawk Down (all 2001), and 40 Days and 40 Nights (2002).

Hartnett continued to work steadily throughout the 2000s, with a mix of leading and supporting roles in Hollywood Homicide (2003), Wicker Park (2004), Sin City (2005), The Black Dahlia, Lucky Number Slevin (both 2006), 30 Days of Night (2007), August (2008), and I Come with the Rain (2009). He experienced a career resurgence with his roles as Ernest Lawrence in Oppenheimer (2023), a serial killer in Trap (2024), and a family husband in Verity (2026).

On television, Hartnett portrayed Ethan Chandler on the Showtime fantasy series Penny Dreadful (2014–2016). He also appeared in an episode of Black Mirror (2023) and guest-starred in The Bear (2024–2026).

Early life and education

Joshua Daniel Hartnett was born on July 21, 1978,[1][2] in Saint Paul, Minnesota,[2] the eldest child of Daniel Thomas Hartnett, and Wendy Anne (née Kronstedt). He was raised by his father, a building manager and former guitarist for Al Green, and his stepmother, Molly, an artist.[3] He has three younger siblings.[4] Hartnett was raised Catholic,[5] attending Nativity of Our Lord Catholic School.[6] At Minneapolis South High School, he played football, but a knee injury forced him off the team when he was 16. He tried youth theater, acting in productions of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Guys and Dolls, and attracted attention from a talent scout. Originally interested in becoming a painter, he decided to pursue film acting while working in a video rental shop, where he became acquainted with films such as Trainspotting, 12 Monkeys, and The Usual Suspects.[7][8]

After graduating from high school in 1996, Hartnett moved to Purchase, New York, to attend the Conservatory of Theatre Arts & Film at the State University of New York at Purchase. He was expelled after writing a letter to the dean contending that the college's evaluation system stifled students' creativity.[7] At 19, he moved to Los Angeles at the recommendation of his manager, Nancy Kremer, who had previously helped him book television commercials.[9][10]

Career

Shortly after arriving in Los Angeles, he caught an improbable break, landing a part in the short-lived ABC drama Cracker. His first feature film was Halloween H20: 20 Years Later, in which he played the son of character Laurie Strode. Released on August 5, 1998, it performed well at the box office.

Hartnett developed a successful film career, appearing in The Faculty (1998), The Virgin Suicides (1999), and Black Hawk Down (2001). In 2001, he starred in the war drama Pearl Harbor. He was originally scheduled to play Tino in Deuces Wild but dropped out of the film. He also starred in O, an adaptation of William Shakespeare's Othello set in an American high school, playing Hugo, the film's version of Iago. In 2002, he starred in the romantic comedy 40 Days and 40 Nights.

In the early 2000s, Hartnett was approached several times to play the role of Clark Kent / Superman for a project originally helmed by Brett Ratner but always turned it down, not wanting to commit to a predicted ten-year role.[11][12] Hartnett said, "It just wasn't the kind of movie I wanted to do. I turned down other superhero roles as well." For Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and The Dark Knight Rises, Hartnett declined the role of Bruce Wayne, which went to Christian Bale.[7][13]

Hartnett was chosen as one of Teen People's "21 Hottest Stars Under 21" in 1999, Teen People's "25 Hottest Stars under 25", and one of People's "50 Most Beautiful People" in 2002. He was also voted Bliss magazine's "3rd Sexiest Male". During this period, he was marketed as a teen idol and a potential megastar; his unease with this public image led to his disillusionment with pursuing roles in high‑profile films.[7]

Hartnett's next films included Hollywood Homicide (2003), Wicker Park (2004), Mozart and the Whale (2005), Sin City (2005), and Lucky Number Slevin (2006). He followed these roles with the 2006 drama-mystery The Black Dahlia, in which he played a detective investigating the real-life murder of waitress Elizabeth Short. Hartnett had been cast five years earlier and remained committed to the film because he liked the subject matter.[14]

His 2007 roles included Resurrecting the Champ and the graphic novel-based 30 Days of Night, in which he played a small-town sheriff. Hartnett described the second film as "supernatural, but kind of a western". He was going to play trumpet player Chet Baker in The Prince of Cool but left the project after disagreeing with the producer's ideas.[15]

Hartnett in 2011

In 2008, Hartnett played Charlie Babbit in the stage adaptation of Barry Morrow's film Rain Man at the Apollo Theatre in London's West End.[16] He starred in the Emporio Armani fragrance campaign, "Diamonds for Men", becoming the first male celebrity to represent Giorgio Armani Beauty.[17] He has appeared on magazine covers including Cosmogirl, Details, Entertainment Weekly, Girlfriend, Seventeen, Vanity Fair, GQ, and Vman, and in magazines such as Vogue, Elle, People, Glamour, In Touch, and InStyle.[18][19]

In 2009, Hartnett produced the music video for Kid Cudi's "Pursuit of Happiness".[20] During this period, he acted in several direct-to-DVD and international films that received negative reviews, including August (2008), I Come with the Rain (2009), Bunraku (2010), Girl Walks into a Bar (2011), Stuck Between Stations (2011), The Lovers (2013), Parts per Billion (2014), and Wild Horses (2015). In 2013, he was a guest of honor on Off Plus Camera.[21]

In 2014, he was cast as Ethan Chandler in the Gothic horror series Penny Dreadful,[22] which was filmed in Dublin and other locations in Ireland.[23] His character was later revealed to be Lawrence Talbot / the Wolfman. In 2017, he performed in Atsuko Hirayanagi's independent film Oh Lucy!, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. That year, he also starred in and produced the survival film 6 Below: Miracle on the Mountain, which received negative reviews. He continued acting in smaller films that were received negatively, including The Ottoman Lieutenant (2017), She's Missing (2019), Inherit the Viper (2019), Valley of the Gods (2019), and Ida Red (2021).

In 2020, he portrayed Canadian journalist Victor Malarek in the crime drama Target Number One. Hartnett appeared in Guy Ritchie's Wrath of Man (2021) in a supporting role before Ritchie cast him in Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre (2023).[24] In January 2022, Hartnett was cast as Ernest Lawrence in Nolan's Oppenheimer (2023).[25] In July 2022, he joined the sixth season of Black Mirror.[26][27]

In 2024, he starred in M. Night Shyamalan's thriller Trap, playing Cooper Abbott, a serial killer, known as "the Butcher".[28] Between 2024 and 2025, Hartnett played Frank in the third season of The Bear. In December 2024, he joined the cast of Verity, the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's 2018 novel.[29]

In 2025, Hartnett starred in the action film Fight or Flight, playing a mercenary tracking a target on a plane.[30]

Personal life

Hartnett began a relationship with English actress Tamsin Egerton in 2012.[31] They have four children.[32] The couple married in November 2021.[33] They live in Hampshire, England.[34]

Speaking about fame, Hartnett said: "I know what it's like to be in that whole world. I was up there for a couple of years, and it was uncomfortable. I think trying to stay at the top is a shortcut to unhappiness." He took a 15-month break from acting, saying: "I spent a bit of time really thinking about whether this was the right thing for me."[35]

In September 2025, Hartnett was hospitalized after a car crash in Canada. The vehicle he was in collided with a police patrol car in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.[36]

Activism

Hartnett has been involved in various causes. In 2007, he took time out from filming to support the Global Cool's green lifestyle campaign.[15]

In 2011, Hartnett became one of several celebrities attached to USAID and the Ad Council's FWD campaign, an awareness initiative tied to that year's East Africa drought. He joined Uma Thurman, Chanel Iman, and Geena Davis in TV and Internet ads to "forward the facts" about the crisis.[37]

In 2012, Hartnett joined Barack Obama's campaign in Minnesota, appearing at events such as the Minnesota Greater Together Youth Summit before formally endorsing the President on the campaign's official YouTube channel.[38] He and Minneapolis Mayor R. T. Rybak also appeared at the University of Minnesota's McNamara Alumni Center for an Obama Q&A in April.[39]

Filmography

Film

Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released
YearTitleRoleNotes
1998Halloween H20: 20 Years LaterJohn Tate
The FacultyZeke Tyler
1999The Virgin SuicidesTrip Fontaine
2000Here on EarthJasper Arnold
2001Black Hawk DownSSG Matt Eversmann
Blow DryBrian Allen
OHugo Goulding
Pearl HarborDanny Walker
Short6GianniCompilation of six cinematic shorts
Town & CountryTom Stoddard
200240 Days and 40 NightsMatt Sullivan
2003Hollywood HomicideK. C. Calden
Zéro UnThe NeighborCompilation of ten cinematic shorts produced by Luc Besson
2004Wicker ParkMatthew Simon
2005Mozart and the WhaleDonald Morton
Sin CityThe Salesman / The Lady Killer
Stories of Lost SoulsThe Neighbor
2006The Black DahliaDwight "Bucky" Bleichert
Lucky Number SlevinSlevin Kelevra
2007Resurrecting the ChampErik Kernan
Stories USAGianni
30 Days of NightEben Oleson
2008AugustTom SterlingAlso producer[40][41][42][43][44]
2009I Come with the RainKline
2010BunrakuThe Drifter
2011Girl Walks into a BarSam Salazar
Stuck Between StationsPaddy
2013The LoversJames Stewart / Jay Fennel
2014Parts per BillionLen
2015Wild HorsesKC Briggs
The Long HomeN/AUnreleased
2017Oh Lucy!John Woodruff
The Ottoman LieutenantJude
6 Below: Miracle on the Mountain[45]Eric LeMarqueAlso producer
2019She's MissingRen
2020Inherit the ViperKip Riley
Target Number OneVictor MalarekAlso known as Most Wanted
Valley of the GodsJohn Ecas
2021Wrath of ManDave "Boy Sweat" Hancock
Ida RedWyatt Walker
2023Operation Fortune: Ruse de GuerreDanny Francesco
OppenheimerErnest Lawrence
2024TrapCooper Abbott
2025Fight or Flight Lucas Reyes[30]
2026Verity †Jeremy CrawfordPost-production
TBAWhite Lies †Jack FreemanPost-production

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1997–1998CrackerMichael FitzgeraldMain role
2002Saturday Night Live Himself (host)Episode: "Josh Hartnett/Pink"
2008T TakesJoshWeb series
2014–2016Penny DreadfulEthan Chandler / Lawrence Talbot / the WolfmanMain role
2015; 2019Drunk HistoryClark GableEpisode: "Miami"
Joachim Neumann Episode: "Love"
2020Die HartJosh Hartnett4 episodes
Paradise LostYates ForsytheMain role
2021Exterminate All the Brutes[46]White ManMiniseries; main role
2022The Fear IndexAlexander Hoffmann Miniseries; main role
2023Black MirrorDavid RossEpisode: "Beyond the Sea"
2024–2026The BearFrank3 episodes
2026BelowCalvin PenneyMain role (miniseries)

Stage

YearTitleRoleNotes
2008Rain ManCharlie BabbittApollo Theatre
The 24 Hour PlaysMain ManAnnual fundraiser at The Old Vic theater involving actors, writers and directors creating and presenting a series of six plays in a day[47]

Music videos

YearTitleArtistNotes
1999"Playground Love"AirThe Virgin Suicides soundtrack
2001"There You'll Be"Faith HillPearl Harbor soundtrack
2010"Pursuit of Happiness"Kid CudiProducer

Awards and nominations

Year Association Category Work Result Ref.
1999 Blockbuster Entertainment Awards Favorite Male Newcomer Halloween H20: 20 Years Later Nominated
MTV Movie Awards Best Breakthrough Male Performance Halloween H20: 20 Years Later Nominated
Saturn Awards Best Performance by a Younger Actor The Faculty Nominated
2000 Teen Choice Awards Choice Breakout Star Here on Earth Nominated
2001 Teen Choice Awards Choice Movie Actor Pearl Harbor Nominated
2002 MTV Movie Awards Best Male Performance Pearl Harbor Nominated
Razzie Award Worst Screen Couple (with Ben Affleck) Pearl Harbor Nominated
Phoenix Film Critics Society Award Best Acting Ensemble (shared with the cast) Black Hawk Down Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Choice Action Movie Actor Black Hawk Down Nominated
Choice Chemistry (shared with Shannyn Sossamon) 40 Days and 40 Nights Nominated
ShoWest Award Male Star of Tomorrow — Won
2006 Milan International Film Festival Award Best Actor (tied with Peter Falk)[48] Lucky Number Slevin Won
2007 GQ Magazine Germany GQ Männer des Jahres (GQ Men of the Year) — Won [49]
2008 Teen Choice Awards Choice Horror Movie Actor 30 Days of Night Nominated
WhatsOnStage Awards The Dewynters London Newcomer of the Year Rain Man Won [50]
2009 21st Century Leaders Awards Outstanding Environmentalist — Won [51]
2010 Ischia Global Film & Music Festival Ischia International Arts Academy Acting Award — Won [52]
2017 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards Best TV Actor Penny Dreadful Nominated [53]
2023 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Oppenheimer Won [54]
Critics' Choice Movie Awards Best Acting Ensemble Oppenheimer Won
Satellite Awards Best Cast – Motion Picture Oppenheimer Won

References

  1. ↑ "Famous birthdays for July 21: Josh Hartnett, Juno Temple". United Press International. July 21, 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  2. 1 2 "Josh Hartnett". TVGuide.com. Archived from the original on September 12, 2015. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Josh Hartnett Biography (1978–)". July 23, 2008. Archived from the original on October 18, 2015. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
  4. ↑ Cooke, Rachel (April 21, 2002). "Hart throb". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Archived from the original on September 6, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  5. ↑ Silverman, Stephen M. (March 4, 2002). "No Joshin': Hartnett Can't Do It". People. Archived from the original on September 14, 2011. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  6. ↑ Hrbacek, Dave (February 1, 2012). "Principal knows her kids by name – all 759". The Catholic Spirit. Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Archived from the original on January 5, 2016. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Sanguino, Juan (May 26, 2021). "Why Josh Hartnett left Hollywood, and why he's back: "I decided to have a life"". EL PAÍS English. Archived from the original on August 16, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  8. ↑ Cooke, Rachel (April 21, 2002). "Hart throb". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Archived from the original on August 16, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  9. ↑ Lanum, Lorelei (2002). Josh Hartnett: American Idol. Touchstone. ISBN 978-0743242738.
  10. ↑ Cooke, Rachel (April 21, 2002). "Hart throb". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Archived from the original on August 16, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  11. ↑ Murray, Rebecca (June 17, 2010). "Interview with Josh Hartnett, From "Wicker Park"". movies.about.com. Archived from the original on March 30, 2012. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
  12. ↑ The MovieWeb Team (April 22, 2003). "Josh Hartnett up for SUPERMAN...again?". movieweb.com. Retrieved February 5, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  13. ↑ Bergeson, Samantha (July 20, 2023). "Christopher Nolan Clarifies Josh Hartnett Was Never Offered Batman Role: 'It Never Got That Far'". IndieWire. Archived from the original on August 16, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  14. ↑ Murray, Rebecca. "Exclusive Interview with The Black Dahlia Star Josh Hartnett". movies.about.com. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
  15. 1 2 "Global Cool is hot on carbon emissions". The Times. London. May 12, 2007. Archived from the original on June 12, 2011. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  16. ↑ "Rain Man Promo Trailer featuring Josh Hartnett and Adam Godley". WestEndTheatre. October 2008. Archived from the original on April 10, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
  17. ↑ "Armani signs Josh Hartnett for new fragrance campaign". Campaign. July 8, 2008. Archived from the original on August 16, 2024. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Magazine: 1997 – 2004". Lucky Number Josh. July 23, 2008. Archived from the original on February 16, 2012. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
  19. ↑ "Magazine: 2005 – 2007". Lucky Number Josh. July 23, 2008. Archived from the original on February 16, 2012. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
  20. ↑ "Kid Cudi Hooks Up With Drake, Josh Hartnett For New Video". MTV. Steven Roberts. November 30, 2009. Archived from the original on May 2, 2015. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  21. ↑ "Roland Joffe and Volker Schlondorff Lead Panels at Off Plus Camera 2013". Archived from the original on November 29, 2014.
  22. ↑ Moore, Debi (February 2, 2015). "Josh Hartnett Taps into His Dark Side in this Penny Dreadful Season 2". DC. Archived from the original on August 2, 2020. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  23. ↑ "Josh Harnett is in Dublin shooting scenes for Penny Dreadful – Dublin looks magnificent". evoke.ie. February 2, 2015. Archived from the original on February 3, 2015. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  24. ↑ "Jason Statham suits up for Guy Ritchie's Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre first look". EW. Archived from the original on August 16, 2024. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  25. ↑ "Everything We Know About Christopher Nolan's 'Oppenheimer' So Far". Variety. January 6, 2022. Archived from the original on August 16, 2024. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  26. ↑ Strause, Jackie (July 13, 2022). "Black Mirror Season 6 Casts Aaron Paul, Josh Hartnett, Zazie Beetz, Kate Mara and Paapa Essiedu". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 16, 2024. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
  27. ↑ Strause, Jackie (June 16, 2023). "Josh Hartnett, Kate Mara on Their Lockdown-Inspired 'Black Mirror' and Why It's Set in an Alternate 1969". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 17, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  28. ↑ "'I didn't want to be swallowed up': actor Josh Hartnett on swapping Hollywood for Hampshire". The Guardian. July 28, 2024.
  29. ↑ Kit, Borys (December 21, 2024). "Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett Join Anne Hathaway in Adaptation of Colleen Hoover's Verity". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
  30. 1 2 Omotade, Lade (December 11, 2024). "Josh Hartnett's Hair Is Making a Statement in First 'Fight or Flight'". Collider. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  31. ↑ "Josh Hartnett and Tamsin Egerton welcome first baby". Closer. December 2, 2015. Archived from the original on September 6, 2024. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  32. ↑ Gibson, Kelsie (August 7, 2024). "Josh Hartnett's 4 Kids: Everything He's Said About Being a Dad". People. Retrieved August 20, 2026.
  33. ↑ Juneau, Jen (March 7, 2022). "Josh Hartnett Secretly Married Longtime Partner Tamsin Egerton in November". People. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  34. ↑ McGurk, Stuart (July 28, 2024). "'I didn't want to be swallowed up': actor Josh Hartnett on swapping Hollywood for Hampshire". The Guardian. Retrieved August 20, 2026.
  35. ↑ "He'll stay out of limelight" Archived June 14, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. Evening Chronicle. September 10, 2004. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
  36. ↑ "Josh Hartnett Hospitalized After Police Car Crash in Canada". E! Online. September 29, 2025. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  37. ↑ "Dr. Jill Biden Joins USAID and Ad Council to Debut FWD Campaign for the Crisis in the Horn of Africa" Archived July 13, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. PR Newswire. October 26, 2011.
  38. ↑ "Josh Hartnett helps out Team Obama". Politico. April 8, 2012.
  39. ↑ "Josh Hartnett Attempts to Panders to U of MN Youth - TCStarlight.com". TCStarlight.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 26, 2013.
  40. ↑ 2008 Online Film Guide, Sundance International Film Festival Archived January 1, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  41. ↑ The Festival – Films & Events Archived January 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Seattle International Film Festival
  42. ↑ 2008 Edition – Category Feature / Film Details Archived January 16, 2010, at the Wayback Machine, Brooklyn Film Festival Film Library
  43. ↑ History – Film Archive[link removed], Karlovy Vary International Film Festival
  44. ↑ "Bahamas Festival to close with Spike Lee's Miracle of St Anna". Screen Daily. Jeremy Kay. November 13, 2009. Archived from the original on September 22, 2012. Retrieved February 26, 2010.
  45. ↑ Tartaglione, Nancy (February 14, 2017). "Momentum Acquires U.S. Rights To '6 Below' Starring Josh Hartnett". Deadline. Archived from the original on November 30, 2020. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
  46. ↑ Hipes, Patrick (February 18, 2020). "Raoul Peck Teams With HBO On Colonialism Docuseries 'Exterminate All The Brutes'; Josh Hartnett To Topline Scripted Portions". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 14, 2022. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  47. ↑ "Hartnett is main man in Old Vic's 24 Hour Plays". London Evening Standard. Louise Jury. November 11, 2008. Archived from the original on November 20, 2010. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  48. ↑ "MIFF Film Festival Awards 2014 - Milano". Milan International Film Festival. Archived from the original on June 19, 2011. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  49. ↑ "GQ Männer des Jahres 2007 ceremony". Vanity Fair online. October 2007. Retrieved February 25, 2010.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  50. ↑ "Winners Announced in the Ninth Annual WhatsOnStage Awards". Whatsonstage.com Awards. Bandwidth Communications Ltd. 2009. Archived from the original on January 17, 2010. Retrieved February 22, 2010.
  51. ↑ "The 2009 Doha 21st Century Leaders Awardees". 21stcenturyleadersawards.org. October 30, 2009. Archived from the original on February 7, 2011. Retrieved February 22, 2010.
  52. ↑ "Josh Hartnett To Receive The 2010 Ischia Acting Awards". Absolute Josh Hartnett. June 26, 2010. Archived from the original on August 4, 2010. Retrieved July 5, 2010.
  53. ↑ "Never mind Oscar, here's the 2017 FANGORIA Chainsaw Awards Nominees Ballot!". FANGORIA®. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
  54. ↑ "The 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards". SAG-AFTRA. Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved February 25, 2024.

Further reading

  • Beresford, Bruce (2007). Josh Hartnett Definitely Wants to Do This, and Other Lies from a Life in the Screen Trade. HarperCollins. ISBN 978-0-7322-8439-8.
  • Matthews, Emma (2003). The Josh Hartnett Album. Plexus Publishing. ISBN 978-0-85965-324-4.
  • Lanum, Lorelei (2002). Josh Hartnett, American Idol. Touchstone. ISBN 978-0-7432-4273-8.