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Justin Henry
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Justin Henry
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Justin Henry (born May 25, 1971) is an American actor and businessman, known for playing Billy Kramer in the 1979 film Kramer vs. Kramer, a debut role which earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor nomination at just eight years old. To date, he remains the youngest Oscar nominee in any category. The performance later earned him a spot (No. 80) on VH1's list of 100 Greatest Kid Stars. Most of his film and television credits came as a child or teenager, although he has continued acting as an adult.[1]

Key Information

Early life and education

[edit]

Justin Henry was born in Rye, New York, the son of Michele (née Andrews), a real estate agent, and Clifford Henry, an investment adviser.[2] He was educated at Brunswick School, an all-boys college-preparatory private day school located in Greenwich, Connecticut, followed by Skidmore College, a private liberal arts college in Saratoga Springs, New York, where he earned a B.A. in psychology in 1993.[3]

Career

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Acting career

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Henry began his acting career in Kramer vs. Kramer (1979), which was released to widespread praise and won the Academy Award for Best Picture.[4] For his performance as Billy Kramer, a young boy dealing with his parents' separation, he was nominated for the Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor[4][5] (making him the youngest person to ever be nominated for an Academy Award or Golden Globe) and won the Young Artist Award for Best Leading Young Actor in a Feature Film.[6]

His next role was in a 1983 episode of the American television series Fantasy Island.[7] On the big screen, Henry appeared in the Brat Pack film Sixteen Candles (1984), as Mike, one of main character Samantha's siblings.[citation needed] Henry also played the son of a married couple played by Don Johnson and Susan Sarandon in the film Sweet Hearts Dance (1988). In this role, critic Janet Maslin called him a "large and amusingly sullen teenager".[8]

After graduation, Henry's next widely seen performance was in 1997, as a medical student in a two-episode role during the fourth season of ER.[7] He starred opposite Ally Sheedy, Jason David Frank and Brian O'Halloran in the mockumentary The Junior Defenders, which was filmed that same year but released direct-to-video in 2007.[9]

Business career

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Henry co-founded the Slamdunk Film Festival in 1998.[10] He continues to make occasional appearances in film and television.[7]

Filmography

[edit]
Film
Year Title Role Notes
1979 Kramer vs. Kramer Billy Kramer
1983 Tiger Town Alex
1984 Sixteen Candles Mike Baker
1985 Martin's Day Martin
Double Negative
1988 Sweet Hearts Dance Kyle Boon
1996 Andersonville Tyce
1997 ER Med Student James Sasser Season 4 Episodes 4 and 5
2003 My Dinner with Jimi Howard Kaylan
Finding Home Prescott
2004 Lost Chester Gould
2007 The Junior Defenders Jimmy Fletcher
2008 My Own Worst Enemy Dr. Rafe Castle Season 1 Episode 2
2010 Brothers & Sisters Dr. Lewis Season 4 Episode 21
2014 Reaper Caine
2019 On Cinema Himself "The New On Cinema Oscar Special" special

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Organization Work Category Result Ref.
1980 52nd Academy Awards Kramer vs. Kramer Best Supporting Actor Nominated [4]
David di Donatello Awards Special David Won [11]
37th Golden Globe Awards Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture Nominated [5]
New Star of the Year – Actor Nominated
2nd Young Artist Awards Best Leading Young Actor in a Feature Film Won [6]

References

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Bibliography

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Justin Henry

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Justin Henry (born May 25, 1971) is an American actor and media professional best known for his debut role as Billy Kramer in the 1979 drama film , which earned him an Academy Award nomination for at the age of eight, making him the youngest nominee in any competitive category in Oscar history. Born in , to Clifford Henry, an investment adviser, and Michele Henry, a , Henry had no prior experience when he was cast in after being discovered by a casting director neighbor. The film, directed by and starring and , depicted a contentious and custody battle, with Henry's portrayal of the conflicted child central to its emotional core; it won Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director, , and Best Supporting Actress. For his performance, Henry also received a Golden Globe nomination for – Motion Picture and won the Golden Globe for New Star of the Year – Actor, along with a in 1981. Following his breakthrough, Henry appeared in several films during the 1980s, including (1983), (1984) as a high school student, (1986), and Martin's Day (1985), where he played a boy who befriends an escaped . He also took on television roles, such as in the Disney special (1983) and episodes of (1983). After earning a degree from in 1993, Henry continued acting sporadically into the 1990s and 2000s, with credits including the medical drama ER (1997), the indie film Finding Home (2003), and guest spots on My Own Worst Enemy (2008) and Brothers & Sisters (2010). In the late , Henry shifted focus toward business, co-founding the Slamdunk Film Festival in 1998 to promote independent cinema. By the early 2000s, he transitioned into , working at a company considered a precursor to and specializing in distribution; as of 2025, he serves as a executive in media strategy and finance. Despite his reduced acting roles, Henry's early acclaim remains a benchmark for child performers in Hollywood.

Early life and education

Family background and childhood

Justin Henry was born on May 25, 1971, in , a suburb of . He is the son of Michele Henry, a , and Clifford (Cliff) Henry, an investment adviser and portfolio manager for J.C. Penney. The family resided in a modern Westchester Colonial house in , sharing the home with pets including a named Chipper, a cat, and fish. Henry grew up with an older sister, Tabbatha, who was 11 years old in 1979 and had a small in as the daughter of one of the characters, though her scenes were largely edited out. The family dynamics were notably positive in terms of his relationship with his father, which played a in his early life experiences. While specific influences from his parents' professions on his interests are not documented, the stable suburban environment in provided a typical childhood setting for outdoor play and social activities. During his early years, Henry attended a local public school in , where he was in by late 1979 and had recently earned an "A" on a math test. His childhood interests included reading dinosaur books, building model ships, collecting stuffed animals, and playing games like , soccer, and football with friends. At age seven, without any prior experience, he was discovered for his debut when casting scouts visited his ; his principal recommended him, leading to an audition among 200 children in , where he was selected for his strong personality, intelligence, and ability to improvise.

Academic pursuits

Henry attended Brunswick School, an all-boys college-preparatory private day school in , for his secondary education. There, he balanced his burgeoning acting career with academics, managing filming commitments alongside his during his formative years. Following high school, Henry enrolled at in , where he pursued a degree in . He temporarily retired from acting to focus on his studies, earning a in in 1993. During his college years, Henry deliberately avoided drama or theater courses, emphasizing a traditional academic experience disconnected from his early fame. In later reflections, Henry has highlighted the value of his education in fostering personal growth beyond the entertainment industry, crediting it with providing a grounded perspective after his childhood stardom. This pursuit of higher education, influenced by his family's commitment to a balanced upbringing, allowed him to develop independently while pausing his professional acting endeavors.

Professional career

Acting roles

Justin Henry's acting career began at the age of seven when he was cast as Billy Kramer, the young son caught in a contentious , in the 1979 film . Selected through an extensive talent search that involved interviews with 725 children across 26 New York-area schools, Henry impressed casting directors during his audition by demonstrating a natural rapport with his own father, which aligned with the character's emotional needs. His performance opposite and earned him a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the , making him the youngest nominee in any competitive category at age eight—a record that stands to this day. This debut instantly established Henry as a prominent , though he had no prior professional experience. Following , Henry appeared in several 1980s films, including (1983), (1986), and television roles such as the Disney special (1983). As a teenager, he continued to take on supporting roles in coming-of-age films that showcased his versatility. In 1984, he portrayed Mike Baker, the mischievous younger brother of Molly Ringwald's character, in John Hughes's , contributing to the film's portrayal of suburban teen dynamics. The following year, he starred as the titular Martin in Martin's Day, playing a runaway boy who forms an unlikely bond with his kidnapper, played by , in a dramatic exploration of trust and redemption. By 1988, at age 17, Henry appeared as Kyle Boon, the son of a strained small-town couple, in , opposite and , marking one of his final major teen roles before pursuing higher education. Transitioning to adulthood proved challenging for Henry, who intentionally stepped back from acting after high school to attend , prioritizing a normal childhood over constant industry demands and rejecting numerous offers in the process. He returned sporadically in the and 2000s with smaller film roles, such as in the 2007 family action comedy The Junior Defenders, where he played Jimmy, a mentor figure to young superheroes. On television, his most notable adult appearance was a two-episode guest spot as medical student James Sasser in season four of ER in 1997, highlighting his shift toward ensemble medical dramas. Later projects included the 2010 episode of Brothers & Sisters as Dr. Lewis, the 2014 Reaper as Caine, and a 2022 episode of Tulsa King as Wade, reflecting periods of reduced activity amid the difficulties many former child stars face in securing substantial adult parts.

Business ventures

Following his early acting career, Justin Henry co-founded the Slamdunk Film Festival in 1998 alongside Keith Spiegel, John Peterson, and Cabot Orton, an event held concurrently with the from 1998 to 2003 to showcase independent films that might otherwise be overlooked, initially to promote projects like the founders' Groupies. Since 2000, Henry has transitioned into a professional role in , working in marketing and for companies and agencies in the area. Early in this shift, he was employed by a company that served as a precursor to , where he specialized in distribution. This expertise has continued to define his career, allowing him to balance occasional acting opportunities with business pursuits that leverage his understanding of media storytelling. As of 2025, Henry remains actively involved in the digital media sector, serving in for a firm focused on media solutions and currently working with a company that develops broadcast-enabling systems emphasizing and narrative content. His entrepreneurial activities extend to producing and directing smaller independent projects, which have complemented his selective return to on-screen roles by providing creative outlets in the evolving digital landscape. In a June 2025 , Henry reflected on the 's adaptation to digital advancements, stating, "In the digital age too I feel that the has done a good job navigating the rise of and digital movie making. That directly is something I take a big part in and am deeply involved with," highlighting his ongoing contributions to the field's transformation.

Notable works

Film appearances

Justin Henry's feature film debut came in 1979 with the role of Billy Kramer in , directed by . He next appeared as Mike Baker in (1984), directed by John Hughes. In 1985, Henry portrayed Young Alec in , directed by George Bloomfield. Also in 1985, he portrayed Martin in Martin's Day, directed by Alan Gibson. Henry played Kyle Boon in Sweet Hearts Dance (1988), directed by Robert Greenwald. He took on the role of Prescott in Finding Home (2003), directed by Rob Wiser. In the same year, Henry appeared as Howard Kaylan in My Dinner with Jimi (2003), directed by Bill Fishman. Henry portrayed Bobbi in The Junior Defenders (2007), directed by Keith Spiegel. Later credits include Matt in Slaughter Creek (2012), directed by Ben Dulay. His most recent feature film role was Lobo the Wolf in Sex Terrorists on Wheels (2019), directed by Stefan Ruf.

Television and other media

Henry's television career began in the 1980s with a guest role as Andy in the episode "What's the Matter with Kids?/Island of Horrors" of Fantasy Island (1983). In the same year, he appeared in the Disney Channel TV movie (1983), where he portrayed Alex, a young fan who inspires an aging player. In the mid-1990s, he appeared in the TNT miniseries Andersonville (1996), playing the role of Tyce, a young Union soldier imprisoned in a Confederate camp during the Civil War. His most notable small-screen guest role came in 1997 on ER, where he played medical student James Sasser across two episodes: "When the Bough Breaks" and "Good Touch, Bad Touch." Henry continued with episodic television in the 2000s, including the TV movie Lost (2004) as Chester Gould, a character involved in a kidnapping plot. In 2008, he guest-starred as Dr. Rafe Castle in the episode "The Choice" of the series My Own Worst Enemy. He followed this with a role as Dr. Lewis in the 2010 episode "Where There's Smoke..." of ABC's Brothers & Sisters. Later appearances include recounting personal supernatural experiences as himself on (2013). Most recently, Henry appeared as Wade in the premiere episode "Go West, Old Man" of Paramount+'s (2022). Beyond acting, Henry co-founded the Slamdunk Film Festival in 1998 alongside Keith Spiegel and John Peterson, an alternative event held annually in , during the from 1998 to 2003, focusing on independent shorts and features.

Recognition and legacy

Awards and nominations

Henry's breakthrough performance as Billy Kramer in the 1979 film garnered significant recognition, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in 1980, making him the youngest nominee in any competitive category at age eight. This nomination highlighted his natural portrayal of a caught in a custody battle, establishing him as a prodigious talent in Hollywood. In addition to the Oscar nod, Henry was nominated for a Golden Globe Award in the New Star of the Year – Actor category at the 37th in 1980 for . He also received a nomination in the Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture category that year. For the same role, Henry won the Best Young Actor in a Major Motion Picture at the 2nd Youth in Film Awards (now known as the Young Artist Awards) in 1980. On the international stage, Henry was awarded a Special in 1980, recognizing his supporting performance in and affirming his appeal beyond American audiences. Later, in 2005, ranked Henry at No. 80 on its list of the 100 Greatest Kid Stars, acknowledging his enduring impact as a performer from the late and .

Cultural impact

Justin Henry holds the distinction of being the youngest actor ever nominated for an Academy Award in a competitive category, a record he set at age eight for Best Supporting Actor in (1979), and which remains unbroken as of 2025. This milestone has cemented his place in Hollywood history, often cited in discussions of child performers' potential and the Academy's recognition of young talent. In a June 2025 interview with InSession Film, Henry reflected on the challenges of child , noting the discomfort of public recognition at young ages like eight or ten, yet emphasizing the protective environment provided by co-stars such as and . He described his experience as allowing a balanced childhood amid highs and lows, crediting it for his personal growth into a "healthy guy" who avoided the tragic narratives common among former child stars. Henry expressed reluctance to subject his own three children to similar pressures, highlighting his evolution toward a more private family life. Henry's early success earned him the #80 spot on VH1's 2005 list of the 100 Greatest Kid Stars, a ranking that underscores his enduring status in retrospectives on child actors. His story has influenced broader perceptions of child performers in Hollywood, exemplifying how supportive production teams can foster positive outcomes and realistic portrayals of youth in dramatic roles, as noted in analyses of Oscar-nominated juveniles. This legacy continues to resonate in pop culture references, from episodes of to quiz shows like Jeopardy!, reinforcing the lasting impact of his work on views of child artistry.

References

  1. https://www.goldenglobes.com/person/justin-henry/
  2. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0377888/
  3. https://insessionfilm.com/interview-justin-henry-academy-award-nominee-for-best-supporting-actor-from-kramer-vs-kramer/
  4. https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-henry-1210943
  5. https://time.com/archive/6881751/cinema-the-kids-a-real-natural/
  6. https://www.nytimes.com/1979/12/28/archives/child-star-of-kramer-takes-role-in-stride-little-toughguy.html
  7. https://myrye.com/2025/04/ryegpt-people-of-note-billy-kramer-in-kramer-vs-kramer-actor-justin-henry/
  8. https://saratogaliving.com/skidmore-stars-remember-kid-kramer-vs-kramer/
  9. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0377888/bio/
  10. https://www.nydailynews.com/1996/02/25/this-justin-kramer-vs-kramer-kid-is-back/
  11. https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/pictures/sixteen-candles-cast-where-are-they-now/
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  14. https://www.moviemaker.com/slamdunk-conquers-the-world-2810/
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  33. https://tulsa-king.fandom.com/wiki/Go_West%2C_Old_Man
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  38. http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2005/06/09/vh1-names-gary-coleman-the-greatest-kid-star--18542/20050609vh101/
  39. https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/youngest-oscar-nominee-for-best-supporting-actor
  40. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0377888/awards/
  41. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0377888/trivia/
  42. https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20170214-why-the-oscars-need-to-recognise-child-actors
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