Raw Details From Ed Harris' Past Expose Another Side Of The Actor's Life

Few Hollywood actors treat their craft as seriously as Ed Harris. "Seeing what happens when you rip yourself open is what your job is all about," he once explained. This chiseled star was always after something bigger, but as a teenager in his New Jersey town, it took him a while to figure things out. Fast-forward a couple of decades and he took the entertainment industry by storm, but his focus and intensity would take their toll on the beloved actor.

Son of the Suburbs

Edward Allen Harris was born on November 28, 1950, in Englewood, New Jersey, and raised in the suburb of Tenafly. The young man had a decent upbringing, but the city across the river was constantly calling his name. 

Like Father, Like Son

Before Ed was introduced to show business, his father had an old connection to the industry. He sang with the famous Frank Waring chorus for a bit, not knowing that his son would soon carry the torch.

Football Star

Even when he wasn’t acting, Ed was always the center of attention. When in high school he was a star football player, serving as team captain during his senior year. But those four years were ending, and it was time he thought of a next move. 

Ivy Leaguer

Ed’s sports skills earned him a spot at Columbia University, where he also competed as a star football player. He was new to the city and still getting a handle on being away from home, but all that would change before graduation. Something about being in New York made him realize another passion waiting to be fed...