Jerry Hardin

Jerry Hardin (born November 20, 1929) is an American actor. Hardin has appeared in film and television roles, including the character nicknamed Deep Throat in The X-Files. He has guest starred in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Voyager. He amassed over 100 appearances in film and television and over 75 theatrical credits. They include The Rockford Files, Roots: The Gift, The Golden Girls, Sliders, Cujo (1983), Big Trouble in Little China (1986), Wanted: Dead or Alive (1987), Little Nikita (1988), The Firm (1993).

Early life and education Hardin was born in Dallas, Texas on November 20, 1929. His father was a rancher, and Jerry spent his youth actively involved with his local church and performing in school plays. He attended Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, on a scholarship before going on to study at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, graduating with an Acting (RADA Diploma) in 1953. He spent several years in London before returning to the United States to begin acting in New York, performing in regional theatre for twelve years.

Career Hardin began acting on television in the 1950s, mostly in character roles. He amassed over 100 appearances by the early 1990s, in addition to more than 75 theatrical credits by the early 1960s. His television appearances include roles in the 1976 western series Sara, The Rockford Files, Roots: The Gift, Miami Vice, Family Ties, The Golden Girls, World War III, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Voyager, JAG, Sliders, and Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Hardin appeared in such films as Thunder Road (1958), Our Time (1974), Wolf Lake (1978), Chilly Scenes of Winter (1979), 1941 (1979), Reds (1981), Missing (1982), Tempest (1982), Honkytonk Man (1982), Cujo (1983), Mass Appeal (1984), Warning Sign (1985), Big Trouble in Little China (1986), Let's Get Harry (1986), Wanted: Dead or Alive (1987), Little Nikita (1988), The Milagro Beanfield War (1988), Blaze (1989), The Hot Spot (1990), The Firm (1993).

Deep Throat His role in 1993's The Firm won Hardin the attention of television writer Chris Carter, who cast him in the recurring role of Deep Throat in the series The X-Files. After filming the character's death in the first season finale, "The Erlenmeyer Flask", Hardin was toasted with champagne, and told by Carter that "no one ever really dies on X-Files.

Personal life Hardin is married, with two children. His wife Diane (née Hill) is an acting coach. Despite Hardin's claim that he "did my best to discourage my own children from doing it", his daughter Melora Hardin is also an actress, known for roles as Trudy Monk in Monk and Jan Levinson in The Office. His son worked for television network NBC.

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