Harper was born in Iowa City, Iowa, the son of Harry Harper, a psychiatrist, and Marilyn Hill, who was one of the first black practicing anesthesiologists in the United States. He has been acting since the age of 7. Harper graduated from Brown University and also graduated with a J.D. from Harvard Law School, and a Master of Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. During his years at Harvard, he was a full-time member of Boston's Black Folks Theater Company, one of the oldest and most acclaimed black theater troupes in the country.
Although Harper obtained a JD and MPA, he chose to use neither and instead moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in 2009 by Westfield State College.
In January, 2008, he participated in Yes We Can, a music video supporting Barack Obama, produced by Will.I.Am. Harper is a member of the Obama for America National Finance Committee.
As of October 2009, Hill has made $7,900 to political candidates, exclusively to Democrats.
In the Fall of 2008, Harper was initiated as a brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity with his line brothers Dr. Naim Akbar of Florida State University and former NFL player LeMarcus Newman.
Harper endorsed the 10,000 Bookbags back to school backpack campaign to help local disadvantaged children with Urban Change Ministries founder Pastor Jay Cameron of the Life Center and R&B singer Ginuwine. Hill Harper has claimed that he is a fiscal conservative when he appeared on the Hannity Show on September 10, 2009.
In January, 2008, he participated in Yes We Can, a music video supporting Barack Obama, produced by Will.I.Am. Harper is a member of the Obama for America National Finance Committee.
As of October 2009, Hill has made $7,900 to political candidates, exclusively to Democrats.
In the Fall of 2008, Harper was initiated as a brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity with his line brothers Dr. Naim Akbar of Florida State University and former NFL player LeMarcus Newman.
Harper endorsed the 10,000 Bookbags back to school backpack campaign to help local disadvantaged children with Urban Change Ministries founder Pastor Jay Cameron of the Life Center and R&B singer Ginuwine. Hill Harper has claimed that he is a fiscal conservative when he appeared on the Hannity Show on September 10, 2009.
