Steve Harris (actor)

Steve Harris (born December 3, 1965) is an American actor best known for his portrayal of Eugene Young on the legal drama The Practice. He also played Detective Isaiah "Bird" Freeman on the NBC drama Awake.

Early life
He was born in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Mattie, a housewife, and John Harris, a bus driver. He is the older brother of actor Wood Harris. He attended St. Joseph High School in Westchester, IL, a private school known for developing star athletes. Steve was a running back. He then played linebacker for Northern Illinois University, where he studied drama. His athletic career was cut short due to a torn ligament in his ankle.

Career
He has done voice work for the animated television show The Batman as Ethan Bennett. He appeared on Law & Order and earlier had a role in Homicide: Life on the Street's pilot. In 2006, he appeared in the now-cancelled TV series Heist. He also appeared in an episode of Grey's Anatomy. He appeared in several episodes of New York Undercover. He has appeared in a number of films including; Quarantine, Tyler Perry's Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Bringing Down The House, The Rock, The Mod Squad, Takers, and Minority Report''

Harris will star in actress Regina King's directorial debut Let The Church Say Amen which will be adapted from ReShonda Tate Billingsley's 2005 best selling novel. The film is scheduled to premiere on BET in 2013.

He appeared in the TNT show Legends, which aired on TNT from August 13, 2014 to December 28, 2015, playing Nelson Gates, the boss of troubled FBI agent Martin Odum (Sean Bean).

Awards
He was nominated six times for an NAACP Image Award for his work on The Practice and won in 2004.
 * 1999 Emmy: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series - Nominee
 * 2000 Emmy: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series - Nominee
 * 2000 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series - Nominee
 * 1999 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series - Nominee
 * 1998 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series - Nominee

Personal life
He has played basketball on various teams in the NBAE League.