Born and bred in New York City, Perrineau studied dance with the Alvin Ailey Company before segueing to acting in his twenties. The eternally youthful-looking performer was already in his thirties when he won accolades for his portrayal of a wayward teen in the indie flick
Smoke. After tackling a number of TV guest roles and supporting film parts (always with a different hairstyle), he came to prominence as the philosophically minded, wheelchair-bound narrator of
Oz. Although Perrineau continued to appear in movies — including two installments of the
Matrix trilogy — television remained his medium, and in 2004 he made his biggest splash to date as a single father on
Lost.
Harold Perrineau Fast Facts:
- Changed last name of Williams to mother's maiden name Perrineau after joining the Screen Actors Guild, which already had a member named Harold Williams.
- Started his acting career in theater.
- Won an NAACP Image Award for his role in Topdog/Underdog in 2001.
- Nominated for Best Supporting Male for the Independent Spirit Award for his part in Smoke.
- Skilled in martial arts.
- Started taking swimming lessons on the location of Lost.
- Harold Perrineau Relationships:
- Aurora Robinson Perrineau - Daughter
- Brittany Robinson - Wife
- Wynter Aria Perrineau - Daughter
- College:
- Attended Shenandoah Conservatory, Winchester, VA
