Michael Harney
Born: 1956-03-27 in The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA
Known For: Acting
Biography
Michael Harney is an American actor of film, television, and theater recognized for his gritty, grounded screen presence and extensive background in dramatic roles. Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, he spent years honing his craft under legendary acting teachers William Esper and Phil Gushee at The Neighborhood Playhouse, later running his own acting studio and directing numerous theater productions in New York. Transitioning to screen work, Harney became a ubiquitous television fixture known for memorable recurring and regular roles, most notably starring as Corrections Officer Sam Healy in the hit Netflix series Orange Is the New Black (for which he won multiple SAG Awards), Detective Mike Roberts in NYPD Blue, Steve Fields in HBO's Deadwood, and Detective Mitch Ouellette in Weeds. In addition to his prolific television resume—which includes appearances in True Detective, Unsolved, and Project Blue Book—he has delivered strong supporting performances in major feature films such as Erin Brockovich, Ocean's Thirteen, Widows, and Bradley Cooper's A Star Is Born.
Filmography
2026
- One Spoon of Chocolate as Sheriff McLeoud
2025
- The Better Sister as Arty
2024
- NCIS: Origins as Richard Kowalski
- Interior Chinatown as Chief Walden
- Space Command Redemption as Anson Kemmer
2023
- The Iron Claw as Bill Mercer
- Hello Tomorrow! as Sal
2020
- FBI: Most Wanted as Ken Weldon
- The Banker as Melvin Belli
- Interrogation as Mr. Russell
- Deputy as William Hollister Sr.
2019
- For All Mankind as Jack Broadstreet
- Doom Patrol as RJ Steele
- Project Blue Book as Hugh Valentine
2018
- A Star Is Born as Wolfie
- Widows as Fuller
- Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G. as Lieutenant Paul Larson
2017
- Kevin (Probably) Saves the World as Karl Gilmore
2016
- Lethal Weapon as Mike Ramos
- Bad Hurt as Ed Kendall
- Soy Nero as Seymour
2015
- Chicago Med as Dr. Ron Unger
2014
- True Detective as Steve Geraci
2013
- Orange Is the New Black as Sam Healy
2011
- Suits as Joe Henderson
2010
- The Defenders as Detective Hank Smith
- Salvation Road as Douglas Moorland
2009
- NCIS: Los Angeles as LAPD Detective Frank Scarli
2008
- Raising the Bar as Robert Dougherty
- The Onion Movie as Line-Up Detective
2007
- Saving Grace as Jerry Carver
- Life as John Garrity
- Ocean's Thirteen as Blackjack Pit Boss
- Captivity as Bettiger
2005
- Criminal Minds as Pat Mannan
- Numb3rs as U.S. Marshal
- Weeds as Det. Mitch Ouellette
2004
- Deadwood as Steve
2002
- Without a Trace as Detective Roberts
2001
- Crossing Jordan as John Morrissey
- The Division as Bob Willets
- Warden of Red Rock as Henry Masters
2000
- Strong Medicine as Edward Duke
- Boston Public as Mr. Pierce
- Erin Brockovich as Pete Jensen
- Sonic Impact as Captain Mark Travis
1999
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as Detective Donald Torres
- Millennium Man as Lt. Col. Brody
- The '60s as Tom Gryzbowski
1998
- Brimstone as Det. Charlie Hirrsh
1997
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer as Xander's Father
- The Practice as Walt Frazier
- The Visitor as Warden Burke
- Turbulence as Marshal Marty Douglas
- Nightman as Mr. Krueger
1996
- Nash Bridges as Jerry Stevens
- Profiler as Mike Caldare
- Gone in the Night as Richard Daley Jr.
1994
- ER as Mr. Stehly
- Chicago Hope as Chuck Lutsky
- Touched by an Angel as Carl
- Viper
- Italian Movie as Mike
1993
- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as Chadwick
- Diagnosis: Murder as Kurt Vaughn
- NYPD Blue as Mike Roberts
1990
- Law & Order as Aaron Packard
1986
- L.A. Law as Howard Justin