Biography
Originally from Bergenfield, New Jersey, Harry developed a passion for movies early on, transforming his backyard into a film studio where he shot numerous Super 8 action and horror films. By age 17, he had earned the New Jersey Institute of Technology's Film Award, presented by the legendary director Otto Preminger.
Harry then moved to Hollywood and launched a stand-up comedy act at the renowned Comedy Store. He quickly gained recognition in the comedy scene, headlining in Las Vegas and other major venues nationwide. He was highly sought after as an opening act for stars such as Gloria Estefan, Liza Minnelli, The Beach Boys, the Pointer Sisters, Chuck Berry, and Rodney Dangerfield.
Rodney Dangerfield showed Harry great respect by featuring him in two of his HBO specials. Harry’s love for film paid off when he co-wrote and co-produced three of Dangerfield’s movies: "Ladybugs" for Paramount Pictures, "Meet Wally Sparks" for Trimark, and "My Five Wives," co-starring Andrew Dice Clay and SNL’s Molly Shannon, for Artisan. In all three projects, Harry collaborated closely with the legendary director Sidney Furie throughout the filmmaking process.
In 2001, Harry made his feature directorial debut with "The 4th Tenor," a romantic opera comedy starring Rodney Dangerfield and Robert Davi, released by Warner Bros. He followed this with "Back by Midnight" in 2002, a prison comedy featuring Randy Quaid, Kirstie Alley, Harland Williams, Dangerfield, and a cast of colorful comedians.
In 2004, Warner Brothers and Franchise Pictures hired Harry to write and direct the family comedy "Funky Monkey" (also known as "Hairy Tale"). The film stars Matthew Modine, Jeffrey Tambor, Roma Downey, Tommy Davidson, and a karate-skilled chimpanzee. Harry also directed "Cloud 9," a sexy beach volleyball comedy written and produced by Al Ruddy, the Oscar-winning producer of "The Godfather" and "Million Dollar Baby." The film stars Burt Reynolds, D.L. Hughley, and Gabrielle Reece.
Harry served as executive producer and co-writer for "Funny Money," a wild farce starring Chevy Chase, Penelope Ann Miller, Armand Assante, Chris McDonald, and Robert Loggia. The film premiered at the 2006 Aspen Comedy Arts Festival. He transitioned to the horror genre by directing "Soul’s Midnight," a gothic vampire tale starring Armand Assante and produced by Oscar-winning producer Gray Frederickson ("The Godfather Part II," "Apocalypse Now"). This was followed by the award-winning teen supernatural thriller "Fingerprints," featuring a young cast including Leah Pipes ("Sorority Row"), Kristin Cavallari ("Laguna Beach"), Josh Henderson ("Desperate Housewives," "Dallas"), Andrew Lawrence, Lou Diamond Phillips, and Sally Kirkland. Currently, Harry is executive producer and showrunner on "The Jadagrace Show" and recently completed producing "Sleeping Around," a sexy comedy starring Jessie P. Bradford ("Bring It On," "Swimfan"), Michael McKean ("Best in Show," "A Mighty Wind"), Tammin Sursok ("Pretty Little Liars"), Bryan Callen ("The Hangover"), and Wendi McLendon-Covey ("Bridesmaids").
Acting is another of Harry’s accomplishments. Since moving to Hollywood, he has appeared in various films and television shows. He secured a featured role in Francis Ford Coppola's romantic comedy "Peggy Sue Got Married," starring Kathleen Turner and Nicolas Cage, where he was cast as a member of Nicolas Cage’s singing group alongside fellow comedian Jim Carrey. He also appeared opposite Demi Moore in the sci-fi cult film "The Seventh Sign" and wrote himself small roles in "Ladybugs" and "Meet Wally Sparks."
In 1988, after only a few years in the industry, NBC chief Brandon Tartikoff signed Harry to a network development deal, which resulted in several TV pilots, including a spin-off from the hit series "Family Ties.
