Jonathan Harris: Difference between revisions

From Battlestar Wiki, the free, open content Battlestar Galactica encyclopedia and episode guide
(rephrased)
(+ photo and caption)
 
(17 intermediate revisions by 6 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Star Data|
{{Cast Data
  image =  
| image = Jonathan Harris.jpg
| character= [[Lucifer]]  
| caption = Jonathan Harris at a convention on 17 September 1999.
| character= [[Lucifer]]
| series=TOS
| born_month= 11
| born_day= 06
| born_year= 1914
| death_month= 11
| death_day= 03
| death_year= 2002
| imdb= 0364893
| imdb= 0364893
| sortkey=Harris, Jonathan
}}
}}


[[Jonathan Harris]] is known by Battlestar Galactica enthusiasts as the actor who provided the voice of [[Lucifer]], the [[IL-series]] [[Cylon]] from the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|classic series]].  He is further recognized in the realm of science fiction as having portrayed Dr. Zachary Smith in [[wikipedia:Lost in Space|Lost in Space]].
'''Jonathan Harris''' (born '''Jonathan Charasuchin''' on November 6, 1914, died November 3, 2002) was an American actor.


He was born Jonathan Charasuchin on November 6, 1914 in the Bronx, New York.  Son of Jewish emigrés from Russia, Harris first worked in a pharmacy, and later earned a pharmacology degree at Fordham University. Changing careers to pursue acting, he changed his name and learned to speak without a strong Bronx accent.  
Harris is known by [[Original Series]] enthusiasts as the actor who provided the voice of [[Lucifer]], the [[IL-series]] [[Cylon]]. He may be best known as the villainous Dr. [[w:Zachary Smith|Zachary Smith]] in the TV series ''[[wikipedia:Lost in Space|Lost in Space]]''.


In 1938, he married Gertrude Bergman, to whom he would remain married for the duration of his life.  
Born in the Bronx, New York, the son of Jewish emigrés from Russia, Harris first worked in a pharmacy, and later earned a pharmacology degree at Fordham University. Changing careers to pursue acting, he changed his name and learned to speak without a strong Bronx accent. In 1938, he married Gertrude Bergman.  


Harris first appeared on Broadway with Heart of a City in 1942, and went on to perform over 100 plays.
Harris first appeared on Broadway with ''Heart of a City'' in 1942, and went on to perform over 100 plays. His first appearance on television was in 1948, which was then a live media, and he went on to make his film debut in ''Botany Bay'' in 1953.  


His first appearance on television was in 1948, which then was a live media, and made his film debut in Botany Bay in 1953.  
Harris returned to TV, appearing in one of his most recognizable roles on ''The Third Man'' as Harry Lime's manservant.  


Harris went back to television, appearing in one of his most recogizable roles on The Third Man as Harry Lime's manservant.  
In 1965, he first appeared in ''Lost in Space'' in the role of Dr. Zachary Smith.  Although Smith was originally cast as a one-shot character, after a stellar introductory appearance, he was made a recurring member of the cast. Smith's relationship with the show's robot is particularly memorable as are his endless putdowns of the machine with such phrases as "You bubble-headed booby!"  That Harris would later portray a robot in ''Battlestar Galactica'' is an obvious irony.


In 1965, he first appeared in Lost in Space in the role of Dr. Zachary Smith.  Although Smith was originally cast as a one-shot character, after a stellar introductory appearance he was made a recurring character.  Many of his one-liners he had previously used in the Bill Dana Show were reused in Lost in Space. An example would be his signature line: "Oh, the pain!"
Harris reprised his role as Dr. Smith in the one-hour TV special ''Lost in Space Forever'' in 1998. However, unlike his costars in the original show, he declined to make a cameo appearance in the motion picture version of ''Lost in Space'' that was released later that year.  


Although occasionally called upon for cameos and guest shots as villains (usually of the Dr. Smith type) Harris spent most of the remainder of his career as a voice actor, appearing in television commercials as well as animated television and features.
Although occasionally called upon for cameos and guest shots as villains (usually of the Dr. Smith type) Harris spent most of the remainder of his career as a voice actor, appearing in TV commercials as well as animated television and features.


Harris reprised his role as Dr. Smith in the one-hour TV special Lost in Space Forever in 1998. However, unlike his costars in the original show he declined to make a cameo appearance in the motion picture version of Lost in Space that was released later that year.
Harris passed away on November 3, 2002 at the age of 87, in Encino, California. He is survived by his wife, Gertrude, and their son, Richard.  
 
Harris passed away on November 3, 2002 at the age of 88, in Encino, California. He is survived by his wife, Gertrude, and their son, Richard.  


==Notes==
==Notes==


Harris is the clearest connection of Battlestar Galactica to Lost in Space, however it should be noted that the daughter of his Lost in Space co-star June Lockhart later came to join the series, when [[Anne Lockhart]] joined the cast as [[Sheba|Lieutenant Sheba]].
* Harris is the only ''Lost in Space'' cast member to appear in the Original Series. However, [[Anne Lockhart]], daughter of Harris' ''Lost in Space'' co-star June Lockhart, later came to join the series as Lieutenant [[Sheba]].
 
==Links==
 
[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0364893/ Jonathan Harris on imdb.com]
 
[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Harris Jonathan Harris on wikipedia]
 
[http://skyscraper.fortunecity.com/binary/139/home.html Jonathan Harris - Master of Entertainment fan site]


[http://www.promisedplanet.com/jonathan_harris_dies_at_87.htm L.A. Times Obituary archived on Promised Planet]
==External links==
{{ext-wikipedia}}
* [http://skyscraper.fortunecity.com/binary/139/home.html Jonathan Harris - Master of Entertainment fan site]
* [http://www.promisedplanet.com/jonathan_harris_dies_at_87.htm L.A. Times Obituary archived on Promised Planet]

Latest revision as of 17:33, 6 November 2019

Jonathan Harris
Jonathan Harris
{{{credit}}}
Portrays: Lucifer
Date of Birth: November 06, 1914
Date of Death: November 03, 2002
Age at Death: 87
Related Media
@ BW Media


Jonathan Harris (born Jonathan Charasuchin on November 6, 1914, died November 3, 2002) was an American actor.

Harris is known by Original Series enthusiasts as the actor who provided the voice of Lucifer, the IL-series Cylon. He may be best known as the villainous Dr. Zachary Smith in the TV series Lost in Space.

Born in the Bronx, New York, the son of Jewish emigrés from Russia, Harris first worked in a pharmacy, and later earned a pharmacology degree at Fordham University. Changing careers to pursue acting, he changed his name and learned to speak without a strong Bronx accent. In 1938, he married Gertrude Bergman.

Harris first appeared on Broadway with Heart of a City in 1942, and went on to perform over 100 plays. His first appearance on television was in 1948, which was then a live media, and he went on to make his film debut in Botany Bay in 1953.

Harris returned to TV, appearing in one of his most recognizable roles on The Third Man as Harry Lime's manservant.

In 1965, he first appeared in Lost in Space in the role of Dr. Zachary Smith. Although Smith was originally cast as a one-shot character, after a stellar introductory appearance, he was made a recurring member of the cast. Smith's relationship with the show's robot is particularly memorable as are his endless putdowns of the machine with such phrases as "You bubble-headed booby!" That Harris would later portray a robot in Battlestar Galactica is an obvious irony.

Harris reprised his role as Dr. Smith in the one-hour TV special Lost in Space Forever in 1998. However, unlike his costars in the original show, he declined to make a cameo appearance in the motion picture version of Lost in Space that was released later that year.

Although occasionally called upon for cameos and guest shots as villains (usually of the Dr. Smith type) Harris spent most of the remainder of his career as a voice actor, appearing in TV commercials as well as animated television and features.

Harris passed away on November 3, 2002 at the age of 87, in Encino, California. He is survived by his wife, Gertrude, and their son, Richard.

Notes

  • Harris is the only Lost in Space cast member to appear in the Original Series. However, Anne Lockhart, daughter of Harris' Lost in Space co-star June Lockhart, later came to join the series as Lieutenant Sheba.

External links