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Jon Tenney
Jon Tenney
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Jonathan Frederick Tenney[1] (born December 16, 1961) is an American actor. He played Special Agent Fritz Howard in TNT's The Closer and continued in its spin-off Major Crimes.

Key Information

Early life

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Tenney was born in Princeton, New Jersey. His mother, Dr. Lillian Sandra Baum, was a psychiatrist, and his father, Frederick Haworth Tenney, was a research physicist.[2] His maternal grandparents were Polish Jewish immigrants, while his paternal forebears were of English ancestry.[1][3] He received his B.A. degree from Vassar College in 1984,[4] where he majored in drama and philosophy. He later attended The Juilliard School's Drama Division as a member of Group 19 (1986–1990).[5]

Career

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Tenney made his acting debut in a touring production of Mike Nichols' The Real Thing. He worked steadily on and off-Broadway, and in regional theater. At New York City, his stage credits include Biloxi Blues, The Substance of Fire and The Heiress.[6] He began working on television, starring in a number of short-lived series, including Steven Bochco's Brooklyn South, Kristin Chenoweth's sitcom Kristin, and guest appearances on Cybill, Will & Grace, Murphy Brown, Spenser: for Hire and Get Real. Series with Tenney as a regular were canceled on all four major networks.[7]

From 2005 to 2012, Tenney played Special Agent Fritz Howard, the husband of Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson (Kyra Sedgwick) in TNT's The Closer. For the 4th season of Lifetime's The Division in 2004, he played Hank Riley. When The Closer ended he continued to act in its spin-off, Major Crimes, from 2012 to 2018, with Howard becoming an LAPD deputy chief in the third season.[8] Later, he portrayed Dr. Simon Craig, a love interest of Nora Walker (Sally Field) in Brothers & Sisters.[9] In 2013, he starred with Rebecca Romijn in TNT's King & Maxwell, as Sean King, a former Secret Service agent and lawyer who works as a private investigator.[10] The series was canceled after one season. In 2014, he was cast in a recurring role on Shonda Rhimes' drama series Scandal.[11]

Tenney appeared in several films, including the villainous CEO of Benbrook Oil Company in Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home and the friend of Alex Whitman (Matthew Perry) in Fools Rush In.[12] He also starred in small roles for some films, including Tombstone, Beverly Hills Cop III, Nixon, Music from Another Room and the 2009 horror film remake of The Stepfather.[13] He also appeared in John Cameron Mitchell's film, Rabbit Hole.[14] He portrayed Martin Jordan in the 2011 superhero film Green Lantern.[15]

Personal life

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From 1994 to 2003, Tenney was married to Teri Hatcher, with whom he has a daughter, Emerson Rose Tenney.[16][17] He married producer Leslie Urdang on June 16, 2012.[18]

Filmography

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Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1991 Guilty by Suspicion Shopper Husband
1993 Watch It Michael
1993 Tombstone Johnny Behan
1994 Beverly Hills Cop III Levine
1994 Lassie Steve Turner
1995 Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home John Milner
1995 Nixon Reporter #1
1996 The Phantom Jimmy Wells
1996 The Twilight of the Golds Rob Stein
1997 Fools Rush In Jeff
1997 Lovelife Alan
1998 Homegrown Helicopter Pilot
1998 Music from Another Room Eric
1998 With Friends Like These... Dorian Mastandrea
1999 Advice from a Caterpillar Suit
2000 You Can Count on Me Bob Steegerson
2002 Buying the Cow Andrew Hahn
2009 The Stepfather Jay
2010 Legion Howard Anderson
2010 Rabbit Hole Rick
2011 Green Lantern Martin Jordan
2011 Hide Away The Divorced Man
2013 As Cool As I Am Bob
2014 The Best of Me Harvey Collier
2015 Love the Coopers Dr. Morrissey
2018 The Seagull Dorn
2019 I See You Greg Harper

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1986 Spenser: For Hire Garrett Episode: "Shadowsight"
1988 Alone in the Neon Jungle Todd Hansen Television film
1989 Murphy Brown Josh Silverberg Episode: "The Brothers Silverberg"
1990–1991 Equal Justice Peter Bauer 25 episodes
1993 Tales from the Crypt Alex Episode: "Half-Way Horrible"
1993 Crime & Punishment Det. Ken O'Donnell 6 episodes
1995 Almost Perfect Adams / Tony Madden 2 episodes
1996 Good Company Will Hennessey 6 episodes
1996 Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Lt. Ching 2 episodes
1996 Cybill Jack 2 episodes
1997 The Outer Limits Aidan Hunter Episode: "Bits of Love"
1997–1998 Brooklyn South Patrol Sgt. Francis 'Frank' Xavier Donovan 22 episodes
1999–2000 Get Real Mitch Green 22 episodes
2001 Kristin Tommy Ballantine 13 episodes
2001 Will & Grace Paul Truman Episode: "Moveable Feast"
2004 The District Dan Lustig Episode: "Family Values"
2004 Without a Trace Mr. Benjamin Palmer Episode: "Bait"
2004 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Charlie Macklin Episode: "Formalities"
2005-2012 The Closer FBI Special Agent Fritz Howard 109 episodes
2009 American Dad! Father Carrington / Lawyer #2 / Man (voices) 3 episodes
2009–2010 Brothers & Sisters Dr. Simon Craig 5 episodes
2012 The Newsroom Wade Campbell 3 episodes
2012–2016 Major Crimes FBI Special Agent/LAPD deputy chief Fritz Howard 23 episodes
2013 King & Maxwell Sean King 10 episodes
2014–2016 Scandal Andrew Nichols 15 episodes
2015 Hand of God Nick Tramble 5 episodes
2017 Longmire FBI Agent Vance 1 episode
2017 Story of a Girl Ray Lambert Television film
2020 Next Special Agent Brian Farrell 1 episode
2022 The Lincoln Lawyer Mickey Haller Sr 1 episode
2022 And Just Like That... Peter 3 episodes

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Jon Tenney, born Jonathan Frederick Tenney on December 16, 1961, in , is an American actor and director renowned for his extensive work in television, film, and stage productions. Raised by a mother and a research physicist father, Tenney developed an early interest in acting, performing in school plays by third grade and studying acting formally thereafter. He earned a B.A. in drama and philosophy from in 1984 before attending The Juilliard School's Drama Division, where he honed his craft through rigorous theater training. His professional debut came in a touring production of ' The Real Thing, marking the start of a career that spanned hundreds of stage performances, including notable Broadway and roles in plays like and . Tenney's television breakthrough arrived with recurring guest spots on soaps like and procedurals such as Spencer: For Hire in the 1980s, followed by short-lived series leads before his defining role as FBI Fritz Howard in TNT's (2005–2012), for which he received five SAG Award nominations alongside star . He reprised the character as Deputy Chief Fritz Howard in the spin-off Major Crimes (2012–2018), solidifying his association with the franchise. Other prominent TV roles include Vice President Andrew Nichols on ABC's (2012–2018), private investigator Sean King in the short-lived (2013), and recent appearances as Mickey Sr. in Netflix's (2022–present), Tom Woods in the miniseries 88 (2024), and Congressman Russell in Prime Video's (2024). In film, Tenney has delivered memorable supporting performances, including as Bob in the critically acclaimed drama (2000), the villainous Traxler in Tombstone (1993), and roles in comedies like Fools Rush In (1997) and action films such as (1994) and (2011). He has also directed episodes of series like and Major Crimes, showcasing his versatility behind the camera. On a personal note, Tenney was married to actress from 1994 to 2003, with whom he shares a daughter, Emerson Rose Tenney (born 1997); he has been married to producer since 2012.

Early life

Family background

Jon Tenney was born on December 16, 1961, in . His father, Frederick Haworth Tenney, worked as a research physicist in the department at , while his mother, Dr. Lillian Sandra Baum, was a . Tenney is the youngest of four children. The Tenney household provided a rich cultural environment that nurtured Tenney's early interests in the . His father, an enthusiast of and , actively participated in community musicals with local theater groups, such as those at the in Princeton, and the family often sang together, including in barbershop quartets. These dynamics exposed Tenney to performance from a young age, sparking his passion for ; by third grade, he was hooked after participating in a school play, and at age nine, he began studying at a local theater program.

Education

Tenney earned a degree in drama and philosophy from in 1984. Following his undergraduate studies, he enrolled in the Drama Division at The Juilliard School as a member of Group 17 (1984–1985). His training at Juilliard ended after his first year when director cast him in the national touring production of Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing (1985), marking his professional acting debut.

Career

Theater and early work

Jon Tenney launched his professional acting career on stage, debuting in the national touring production of Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing, directed by , in 1985 while still enrolled as a graduate student in the drama division at the . This opportunity marked his first paid role and prompted him to temporarily interrupt his Juilliard studies to join the tour. Following the tour, Tenney transitioned to New York theater, serving as an understudy for multiple roles, including Eugene Morris Jerome, in the Broadway production of Neil Simon's starting in 1985. In the late 1980s, Tenney built experience through and Broadway understudy work, including a supporting role in the off-Broadway premiere of Barbara Lebow's A Shayna Maidel at the in 1987, where he portrayed a family member in a story of reuniting. He also understudied in the short-lived Broadway Sweet Sue opposite and that same year. During this apprenticeship period, Tenney appeared in numerous regional theater productions across the , honing his craft in what he later described as "hundreds" of plays. Entering the early 1990s, Tenney continued off-Broadway with the role of Joey, a troubled son, in John Patrick Shanley's family drama Beggars in the House of Plenty at Manhattan Theatre Club's Stage II in 1991, earning praise for his portrayal of generational conflict amid economic hardship. As his stage career stabilized, Tenney began transitioning to screen work with initial television guest appearances, including the role of Josh Silverberg in an episode of Murphy Brown in 1989. He followed with minor film cameos, such as a shop customer in Guilty by Suspicion (1991) and a reporter in Nixon (1995), marking his gradual shift toward more prominent on-camera roles.

Television roles

Jon Tenney began his television career with supporting roles in the mid-1990s, including a recurring part as Dr. Adam Stephens on the family drama from 1995 to 1996, appearing in five episodes. He followed this with a lead role as Patrol Sgt. Francis "Frank" Xavier Donovan on the police drama from 1997 to 1998, starring in all 22 episodes of the series. Tenney achieved his breakthrough in television with the role of Fritz Howard on TNT's from 2005 to 2012, appearing in all 109 episodes as the FBI liaison and eventual husband to Deputy Chief (). His performance as the grounded, supportive figure earned him five Screen Actors Guild Award nominations for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series between 2006 and 2011, shared with the cast. Tenney reprised the role in the spin-off Major Crimes from 2012 to 2018, appearing in 29 episodes as Howard, who transitions to LAPD Deputy Chief. In 2013, Tenney starred as former Secret Service agent Sean King in the TNT procedural King & Maxwell, leading the series alongside Rebecca Romijn across all 10 episodes before its cancellation after one season. He then took on a recurring role as Vice President (later President) Andrew Nichols on ABC's Scandal from 2014 to 2016, appearing in 15 episodes as a politically ambitious figure entangled in White House intrigue. Tenney continued with guest and recurring appearances in the 2020s, including Brian Farrell in a 2020 episode of Fox's neXt, a tech thriller about AI dangers. He played Peter, a brief romantic interest for (), in three episodes of Max's in 2021. In 2022, he portrayed Mickey Haller Sr., the estranged father of the protagonist, in recurring capacity across seasons of Netflix's . More recently, Tenney appeared as Congressman Russell in three episodes of Prime Video's in 2024, a modern adaptation of the film exploring elite college scandals. He is set to co-star opposite in the upcoming MGM+ comedy series American Classic in 2025.

Film roles

Jon Tenney began his film career in the early 1990s with supporting roles in major studio productions, establishing himself as a reliable character actor capable of portraying authoritative or antagonistic figures. In the Western classic Tombstone (1993), he played Sheriff Johnny Behan, the corrupt lawman aligned with the Clanton gang, whose oily charm and political maneuvering heightened the film's tensions within its ensemble cast of historical figures. Behind the scenes, Tenney's portrayal required a fake mustache, as he was the only actor in the production clean-shaven due to commitments from a prior project, contrasting the real facial hair grown by stars like Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer. The film's ensemble dynamics, including Tenney's Behan as a foil to Wyatt Earp, contributed to its enduring popularity as a gritty retelling of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. The following year, Tenney took on the role of John Milner, the ruthless CEO of Benbrook Oil Company, in the family adventure Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home (1994), where his villainous pursuit of the Willy drove much of the plot's conflict against environmental themes. He also appeared as Levine, one of the bumbling Beverly Hills police officers outwitted by Eddie Murphy's , in the action-comedy (1994), adding to the franchise's satirical take on incompetence. These mid-1990s roles showcased Tenney's ability to embody slick antagonists or in high-profile blockbusters. In the romantic comedy Fools Rush In (1997), Tenney portrayed Jeff, the supportive best friend to Matthew Perry's Alex Whitman, providing grounded advice amid the cultural clashes and whirlwind romance with Salma Hayek's character. His television prominence, particularly from series like The Closer, later facilitated opportunities in bigger films, such as his turn as Martin Jordan, the heroic test pilot father of Ryan Reynolds' Green Lantern, in the 2011 superhero origin story Green Lantern, where the character's sacrificial death profoundly impacts the protagonist's arc. Tenney has also contributed to independent cinema, often in nuanced character parts that explore emotional depth. In the critically acclaimed drama (2000), he played Bob, the intermittent boyfriend of Laura Linney's single mother Sammy, whose well-intentioned but flawed presence underscores themes of family instability and personal growth. In the 2010 drama Rabbit Hole, directed by , Tenney portrayed Rick, a colleague offering quiet support to and Aaron Eckhart's grieving parents, contributing to the film's intimate examination of loss and recovery. In the 2018 film adaptation of Anton Chekhov's , directed by Michael Mayer, Tenney played the doctor Dorn, a philosophical figure in the ensemble led by and , adding depth to the story of and artistic ambition. He took a lead role as Greg Harper in the 2019 psychological thriller I See You, investigating a missing child while facing supernatural disturbances in his home, opposite . More recently, he appeared as the Pub MC in the whimsical romance (2020), a minor but lively role in the ensemble led by and , and as Tom Woods, a key figure in the tense psychological thriller 88 (2022), where his performance added layers to the story of isolation and revenge. These indie efforts highlight Tenney's range beyond mainstream fare, emphasizing subtle interpersonal dynamics over lead status.

Personal life

Marriages

Jon Tenney married actress on May 27, 1994, after meeting on a the previous year. The couple's union lasted nearly nine years, ending when Hatcher filed for divorce citing in March 2003. In public statements following the split, Hatcher attributed some marital strains to the lasting effects of childhood , which she revealed in a 2006 Vanity Fair interview as contributing to intimacy issues and emotional challenges during their relationship. Tenney remarried on June 16, 2012, to and theater executive Leslie Urdang, with whom he has maintained a stable partnership as of 2025. The couple met through professional circles in the entertainment industry and has kept their relatively private, avoiding major public controversies.

Family

Jon Tenney and his former wife welcomed their only child, daughter Emerson Rose Tenney, on November 10, 1997, in , . Emerson, now an aspiring actress and voice artist, has occasionally appeared in minor roles and maintains a close relationship with both parents. Following their 2003 divorce, Tenney and Hatcher established a co-parenting dynamic focused on their daughter's , navigating occasional custody challenges through legal means before resolving them amicably. This arrangement has allowed Emerson to benefit from active involvement from both parents in her life and career pursuits. Tenney's commitment to family is rooted in the values emphasized by his parents during his upbringing in Princeton, New Jersey, where stability and support were prioritized.

Filmography

Film

Jon Tenney's feature film credits, listed chronologically, are as follows:
  • 1991: Guilty by Suspicion (Shopper Husband)
  • 1993: Watch It (Michael)
  • 1993: Tombstone (Johnny Behan)
  • 1994: Beverly Hills Cop III (Levine)
  • 1994: Lassie (Steve Turner)
  • 1995: Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home (John Milner)
  • 1995: Nixon (Reporter #1)
  • 1996: The Phantom (Jimmy Wells)
  • 1996: The Twilight of the Golds (Rob Stein)
  • 1997: Fools Rush In (Jeff)
  • 1997: Lovelife (Alan)
  • 1998: Homegrown (Helicopter Pilot)
  • 1998: Music from Another Room (Eric)
  • 1998: With Friends Like These... (Dorian Mastandrea)
  • 1999: Advice from a Caterpillar (Suit)
  • 2000: You Can Count on Me (Bob Steegerson)
  • 2002: Buying the Cow (Andrew Hahn)
  • 2009: The Stepfather (Jay)
  • 2010: Legion (Howard Anderson)
  • 2010: Rabbit Hole (Rick)
  • 2011: Green Lantern (Martin Jordan)
  • 2011: Hide Away (The Divorced Man)
  • 2013: As Cool as I Am (Bob)
  • 2014: The Best of Me (Harvey Collier)
  • 2015: Love the Coopers (Dr. Morrissey)
  • 2018: The Seagull (Dorn)
  • 2019: I See You (Greg Harper)
  • 2020: Wild Mountain Thyme (Pub MC)
  • 2022: 88 (Tom Woods)

Television

Tenney began his television career with guest appearances and supporting roles in the late 1980s and early 1990s. His early credits include a role as Janosz Feke in the TV series The Dirty Dozen (1988), appearing in 11 episodes. In 1990–1991, he portrayed assistant district attorney Peter Bauer in the legal drama Equal Justice, appearing in all 44 episodes alongside Sarah Jessica Parker. Tenney had a recurring guest role as Dr. Adam Kenner in Party of Five during the 1995–1996 season, appearing in 2 episodes. From 1995 to 1996, he starred as prosecutor Kevin Gaffney in the comedy Almost Perfect, which ran for 28 episodes. In 1996, Tenney played Will Hennessey in the short-lived family sitcom Good Company, appearing in 5 episodes. He recurred as Lt. Ching in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman from 1996 to 1997, in 3 episodes. Tenney starred as Sgt. Francis X. "Frank" Donovan in the police drama Brooklyn South (1997–1998), appearing in 22 episodes. From 1999 to 2000, he led the family drama Get Real as Mitch Green, father to a household of teenagers, in 22 episodes. In The Division (2001–2004), Tenney played Capt. Hank Riley in 22 episodes of the police procedural. Tenney achieved prominence with his role as FBI Special Agent Fritz Howard in The Closer (2005–2012), appearing in all 109 episodes as the husband of lead character Brenda Leigh Johnson. He provided the voice of CIA Chaplin in a 2009 episode of the animated series American Dad!. From 2009 to 2010, Tenney portrayed Dr. Simon Craig, a romantic interest for Kitty Walker, in 12 episodes of Brothers & Sisters. In 2012, he guest-starred as news anchor Wade Campbell in 4 episodes of The Newsroom. Tenney reprised Fritz Howard in the spin-off Major Crimes (2012–2018), appearing in 29 episodes, with the character promoted to LAPD Deputy Chief Johnson in later seasons. He played Vice President Andrew Nichols in Scandal from 2014 to 2016 (initially appearing in 2012), in 15 episodes. In 2013, Tenney starred as private investigator Sean King in the action series King & Maxwell, which ran for 10 episodes. From 2014 to 2017, he appeared as attorney Nick Tramble in 20 episodes of the Amazon series Hand of God. Tenney guest-starred as Chief Terry Guidry in 2 episodes of True Detective season 3 in 2019. Also in 2019, he played Daniel Davenport in 6 episodes of the limited series The Hot Zone. In 2021, Tenney portrayed Peter, a brief love interest for Carrie Bradshaw, in 3 episodes of And Just Like That... season 1. He recurred as Sr. in The Lincoln Lawyer (2022–2024), appearing in 3 episodes. In 2024, Tenney played Congressman Russell in 3 episodes of the Prime Video series . Tenney is set to appear in the upcoming MGM+ comedy series American Classic (2025), co-starring with and .

References

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