Jonathan Daniel Charasuchin, later known as Jonathan Harris, was born on November 6, 1914. He was an American character actor with a remarkable career spanning over 500 television and movie appearances, as well as numerous voiceovers.
Harris's most notable roles were those of Bradford Webster, a timid accountant in the television adaptation of The Third Man, and Dr. Zachary Smith, a fussy villain in the 1960s science-fiction series Lost in Space. Towards the end of his career, he lent his voice to animated features such as A Bug's Life and Toy Story 2.
Acting was Harris's true passion, and at the age of 24, he created a fake résumé and auditioned for a repertory company at the Millpond Playhouse in Long Island, New York. He successfully secured a spot in the company and went on to appear in several plays.
In 1942, Harris landed the leading role of a Polish officer in the Broadway play The Heart of a City. To perfect his Polish accent, he informed the producers that his parents were originally from Poland. A year later, he starred in A Flag Is Born alongside Quentin Reynolds and Marlon Brando.
In 1990, Harris reunited with the cast of Lost in Space to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the series' debut at an event attended by over 30,000 fans. He continued to make convention appearances with other cast members, including a 1996 appearance at Disney World.
Jonathan Harris passed away on November 3, 2002, leaving behind a legacy of over 500 television and movie appearances, as well as a significant impact on the world of animation.
