Jay Harrington Explained

Jay Harrington
Birthname:James H. Harrington III
Birth Date:15 November 1971
Birth Place:Wellesley, Massachusetts, U.S.
Occupation:Actor
Height Ft:6
Alma Mater:Syracuse University

James H. Harrington III, professionally known as Jay Harrington, (born November 15, 1971) is an American actor. He is known for his role as the title character in the ABC sitcom Better Off Ted in 2009–2010, and since 2017 as Sgt. David "Deacon" Kay in S.W.A.T.

Early life

Harrington was born and raised in Wellesley, Massachusetts to Judy and Terry Harrington. He has two brothers, actor Adam and Matt. As a child, his family spent summers on Cape Cod up the road from The Harwich Junior Theater. He attended Wellesley High School[1] and then studied theater at Syracuse University.[2]

Career

Harrington has been featured as Dr. Simon O'Keefe on the WB drama Summerland, FBI Special Agent Paul Ryan on FOX's short-lived The Inside, and Steve on NBC's version of Coupling. He appeared in a recurring role on the police drama series The Division. He has also had roles on A.U.S.A., The Shield, Time of Your Life, Private Practice, and Burn Notice.

In 2006, Harrington began appearing as Dr. Ron McCready on the series Desperate Housewives. He starred as Ted Crisp in the comedy series Better Off Ted from March 2009 to January 2010. He had a recurring role in Season 4 of the TV Land comedy series Hot in Cleveland. In 2014, he co-starred on the short-lived USA Network comedy series Benched. In 2017, he had a guest role on Suits as Mark Meadows, Donna's ex-boyfriend. He currently stars as Sergeant II David "Deacon" Kay on S.W.A.T. based on the 1975 television series and 2003 movie of the same name.

Harrington has appeared in films such as American Reunion (with his character again – like in Desperate Housewives – being called "Dr. Ron"), Whatever It Takes, Anywhere but Here, Catalina Trust, A Little Inside, and Partner(s). He has also performed on stage, starring as Jack in Boy's Life and appearing in the off-Broadway productions Barefoot in the Park and Tony and Tina's Wedding, Harrington is an avid sports fan who plays in the Entertainment League, a private celebrity basketball league (formerly the NBA-E League), and skates for a local amateur ice hockey team.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1999Anywhere But HereWaiter
1999A Little InsideRyan McGillian
2000Whatever It TakesCop
2000OctopusSpecial Agent Roy Turner
2011A Monster in ParisEmile
2012American ReunionDr. Ron
2015Turkey HollowRon Emmerson

Television

!Year!Show!Role!Notes
1998Pacific BlueMitch1 episode
1998The PretenderDet. Maxwell1 episode
1999Nash BridgesScottEpisode: "Gimme Shelter"
2001RavocEpisode: "Workforce Part 2"
2002The ShieldTom Ross1 episode
2003CouplingSteve TaylorMain role
2004Las VegasCole Helmsley1 episode
2004–2005SummerlandSimonRecurring role
2005Ghost WhispererMarkEpisode: "Ghost Bride"
2005The InsidePaul RyanMain role
2005–2006Desperate HousewivesDr. Ron McCready7 episodes
2008–2009Private PracticeWyatt Lockhart5 episodes
2009Burn NoticeErik LunaEpisode: "Shot in the Dark"
2009–2010Better Off TedTedMain role
2012–2014Hot in ClevelandAlecRecurring role
2014BenchedPhil QuinlanMain role
2016Code BlackDr. Leo Fields3 episodes
2017SuitsMark MeadowsRecurring role (season 7)
2017– PresentS.W.A.T.Sergeant II David "Deacon" KayMain role

Notes and References

  1. Ellis, Carolyn S. "Wellesley and Weston Grads Find Success on the West Coast", WellesleyWeston Online, 14 August 2009.
  2. Herbert, Geoff. "Actors Taye Diggs, Jay Harrington celebrate Syracuse University homecoming", Syracuse.com, 5 October 2013. Last accessed 11 April 2016.