Richard Harmon
A Canadian actor who mastered the art of the compelling anti-hero, turning morally complex characters into fan favorites.
Born 1991 (age 35)·Canadian actor·Birthday: August 18·Millennials
Biography
Richard Harmon built a career on playing characters who live in the gray areas. The Vancouver-born actor cut his teeth with small, often intense roles in sci-fi and crime series like 'The Killing' and 'Continuum', showcasing a knack for portraying edgy, unpredictable figures. His breakthrough came as John Murphy on The CW's post-apocalyptic drama 'The 100'. Starting as a seemingly minor antagonist, Harmon, through sheer charisma and nuanced performance, transformed Murphy into the show's ultimate survivor—a morally flexible, deeply scarred, yet ultimately redeemable heart of the series over seven seasons. This role defined his specialty: finding the humanity and dark humor within flawed, sometimes unlikable, personas. He has since continued to gravitate toward complex leads in genre projects, proving that the most interesting heroes are often those who have walked a villain's path.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Richard was born in 1991, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Richard Was Born
The biggest hits of 1991
#1 Movie
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Best Picture
The Silence of the Lambs
#1 TV Show
Cheers
Richard's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1991Born
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1996Started school
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2004Became a teenager
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Could drive
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2009Could vote
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2012Turned 21
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2021Turned 30
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 35 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Portrayed the fan-favorite character John Murphy across all seven seasons of the series 'The 100'.
- Won a Leo Award for Best Lead Performance for his role in the film 'If I Had Wings'.
- Played a recurring role as Jasper Ames in the acclaimed crime drama 'The Killing'.
- Starred as Julian Randol in the Canadian sci-fi series 'Continuum'.
Did You Know?
His mother, Dawn, is a well-known acting coach in Vancouver, and his sister, Jessica, is also an actress.
He is a trained martial artist, holding a black belt in Taekwondo.
He originally auditioned for the role of Bellamy Blake on 'The 100' before being cast as Murphy.
He is an avid photographer and often shares his work on social media.
“I'm drawn to characters that are morally ambiguous and have a dark edge.”
