Hill Harper Biography: In His Own Words – Exclusive Video, News, Photos, Age

by Hailey SchipperApril 6, 2023, 8:46 pmDaily Digest, News, News Feed, U Bio >

Hill Harper is an American actor and author. He is known for his roles on Limitless and The Good Doctor and for his book, Letters to an Incarcerated Brother.

Hill Harper BIOGRAPHY: AGE, EARLY LIFE, FAMILY, EDUCATION

Hill Harper was born on May 17, 1966 (Hill Harper: Age 56) in Iowa City, Iowa to Harry and Marilyn Harper. Harper’s full name is Frank Eugene “Hill” Harper but he goes by Hill as a tribute to his grandparents. Harper started acting at seven years old.

In 1984 Harper graduated from Bella Vista High School. He went on to graduate from Brown University in 1988 with a bachelor’s degree in economics and sociology. In 1992 he graduated from Harvard Law School and received his Master of Public Administration degree.

While at Harvard, Harper was a full-time member of the most acclaimed black theater group in America, Boston’s Black Folks Theater Company. Also during this time, Harper befriended Barack Obama and played basketball with him.

Harper has received eight honorary degrees from schools like Westfield State College and Howard University.

HILL HARPER BIOGRAPHY: CAREER

Harper began his acting career in 1993 with the film Pumpkinhead II: Blood Wings. He continued to have small roles in movies like Get on the Bus (1996), The Nephew (1998) and He Got Game (1998). Harper starred in movies like Loving Jezabel (1999), In Too Deep (1999), Premium (2006) and This Is Not a Test (2008).

Harper started on the television screen with small roles in shows like Renegade, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, The Client, ER, and The Twilight Zone. His main roles included Live Shot, City of Angels, The Handler, CSI: NY, Covert Affairs, Limitless and The Good Doctor.

In 2008 Harper won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Dr. Sheldon Hawkes in CSI: NY.

HILL HARPER BIOGRAPHY: LETTERS TO AN INCARCERATED BROTHER

In response to an influx of letters from incarcerated individuals after the publication of Letters to a Young Brother, Harper wanted to write a book that would reveal the needs of incarcerated people. He wanted it to be powerful, moving and inspiring.

In an exclusive interview with uInterview, Harper discussed who the book is for. “The book isn’t just for folks who are actually in physical prisons. Many of us are in prisons that are not made of iron bars, that I hope the book will help set free,” he said. “It is written for anyone who feels stuck in any way. Sometimes we feel stuck in a job, in a career, by our parents or a relationship, or our kids, or by debt, credit card debt or mortgage debt.”

HILL HARPER BIOGRAPHY: THE GOOD DOCTOR

During the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, Harper, Christina Chang and Bria Henderson stopped by to chat with uInterview founder Erik Meers.

In an exclusive interview with uInterview, Harper discussed what it was like working as a doctor on set.

“Oh yeah, you know what, I’m very professional on the set of the show and I don’t do things that would take me out of my mode,” Harper joked with the two women disagreeing. “It’s not easy being Dr. Andrews on The Good Doctor, I have to stay in character the whole time. My character speaks something like this [deep voice], and it’s not easy to drop into this voice. No it’s fun, I love doing the show and I love working with these two amazing artists and it’s just you know we just have a good time.”

“When I’m in Dr. Andrews mode I’m so focused at how I present the medical dialogue,” Hill continued. “I say things like, I say we have to resect the catheter from the person’s catharsis and I say that there are different things that Dr. Andrews— because Dr. Andrews is the best surgeon on the show. No, it’s true, he’s the top surgeon on the show she’s the chief of surgery but he’s the most talented surgeon.”