DAVID HARBOUR

David Harbour: Full Name & Vital Stats

Birth Name: David Kenneth Harbour
Born: April 10, 1975 (age 50) 
Birthplace: White Plains, New York, USA

Education & Early Interest in Acting

Raised by parents who both worked in real estate, Harbour discovered acting after being deeply moved by Kenneth Branagh’s Henry V (1989). He attended Byram Hills High School in Armonk and graduated in 1997 from Dartmouth College, where he majored in drama and Italian and joined Sigma Phi Epsilon .

Broadway Beginnings & Early Screen Work

Harbour launched his professional career on Broadway in 1999 with The Rainmaker, earning a Tony Award nomination in 2005 for his performance in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? He made his television debut in Law & Order (1999), with varied roles including a recurring appearance on Pan Am and parts in Law & Order: SVU and Criminal Intent .

Film Career: Builds Across Genres

He appeared in notable films such as Kinsey (2004), War of the Worlds & Brokeback Mountain (2005), and as Gregg Beam in the James Bond thriller Quantum of Solace (2008). His dramatic depth was on display in Revolutionary Road and End of Watch, leading to roles in Suicide Squad and Black Mass .

Breakthrough Role: Stranger Things

Harbour shot to international fame as Chief Jim Hopper on Stranger Things (Netflix, 2016–present), earning two Primetime Emmy nominations, a Golden Globe nod, and a SAG ensemble award .

Superhero & Leading Film Roles

He stepped into the spotlight in Hellboy (2019) as the titular hero, portrayed the Red Guardian in Black Widow (2021), and reprised the role in Thunderbolts (2025). Other highlights include Violent Night (2022) and Gran Turismo (2023) .

Theatre & Accolades

Alongside his Broadway achievements, Harbour has acted in Shakespearean productions and received nominations for Tony, Emmy, and Golden Globe Awards. He also participated in The Coast of Utopia, Glengarry Glen Ross, and Merchant of Venice .

Beyond Acting: Personal Insights

Harbour has openly discussed his bipolar disorder diagnosis, shown resilience in his career journey, and attributes mentorship and intellectual curiosity—such as his college studies in Italian—as key to his grounded yet driven persona .

Current Projects & Ongoing Influence

Continuing as a central figure in Stranger Things, Harbour appears in MCU’s Thunderbolts (2025) and maintains a diverse portfolio across stage, screen, and genre—reflecting his versatility and enduring relevance