William Jackson Harper Biography: Girlfriend, Height, Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Awards, Films

William Fitzgerald Harper, also known as William Jackson Harper, is an American actor and playwright widely recognised for his thoughtful performances in television, film, and theatre.

He rose to prominence playing the indecisive philosopher Chidi Anagonye in the acclaimed NBC sitcom The Good Place, a role that earned him an Emmy nomination and a devoted following.

Harper has also built a respected stage career with notable Off-Broadway and Broadway credits, including his own play Travisville, and has appeared in films such as Midsommar and Dark Waters.

Quick Facts

• Full Name: William Fitzgerald Harper
• Stage Name: William Jackson Harper
• Born: 8 February 1980
• Age: 46 years old
• Birthplace: Dallas, Texas, United States
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Actor, Playwright
• Height: 1.73 m
• Parents: Mr Harper and Mrs Harper
• Siblings: 1
• Spouse: None
• Partner: Ali Ahn
• Children: None
• Relationship: Dating
• Net Worth: $4 million

Early Life and Education

William Fitzgerald Harper was born on 8 February 1980 in Dallas, Texas. He grew up in Garland, Texas, after his family moved there.

His parents are Mr Harper and Mrs Harper; his father later battled and passed away from leukaemia, while his mother encouraged his early interest in drama by enrolling him in classes to help him overcome shyness.

He has one sister, though her name is unknown. Harper attended Lakeview Centennial High School in Garland and graduated from the College of Santa Fe in 2003 with a focus on performing arts. His ethnicity is African American, and his religion is Christianity.

Career

William Jackson Harper began his career in theatre after college, taking on stage roles in New York while also landing early television appearances.

He had supporting parts in series such as Law & Order: Criminal Intent and a regular role on the PBS children’s show The Electric Company.

His Broadway debut came in 2014 when he portrayed civil rights activist Stokely Carmichael in All the Way, opposite Bryan Cranston.

These early opportunities helped him build a solid reputation in the New York theatre scene, where he balanced acting with developing his writing.

Harper gained major recognition in 2016 when he was cast as Chidi Anagonye in The Good Place, a role that showcased his comedic timing and emotional range across four seasons.

The performance brought him critical acclaim, an Emmy nomination, and wider fame. Around the same time, he took on film roles in projects such as Dark Waters and Midsommar, demonstrating his versatility across both dramatic and horror genres.

He also continued playwrighting, with his play Travisville premiering in 2019, and earned awards, including an Obie Award for Performance and an Outer Critics Circle Award for his stage work.

William Jackson Harper has established a strong presence across stage, screen, and television. His recent credits include appearances in The Morning Show, Elsbeth, and various theatre productions, as well as voice and producing work.

Through consistent, layered performances and his contributions as a playwright, he has earned respect in the industry while advocating for more nuanced portrayals of Black characters.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @williamjacksonharper
• Facebook Handle: Unknown
• Twitter Handle: Unknown

Personal Life

William Jackson Harper has been in a long-term relationship with actress Ali Ahn since around 2012, after the two met in the New York theatre scene and starred together in an outdoor production of Romeo and Juliet.

The couple keeps a relatively low profile but frequently supports each other at premieres, red carpets, and events, such as the Tony Awards. They are not married and have no children.

Filmography

• Midsommar (2019)
• Dark Waters (2019)
• We Broke Up (2021)
• Death to 2021 (2021)
• Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)
• The Good Place (2016–2020) – Chidi Anagonye (main role)
• Love Life (2021)
• The Morning Show (2025)
• Elsbeth (2025)
• All the Way (Broadway, 2014)
• Travisville (playwright, 2019)

Net Worth

William Jackson Harper has an estimated net worth of around $4 million.

His income primarily comes from acting roles in television series like The Good Place, film appearances, theatre performances on Broadway and Off-Broadway, and his work as a playwright.