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Answers to the Frequently Asked Questions

The Stats

• Full Name: Samuel Kent Harris
• Birthdate: June 4th, 1961- (He's a Gemini)
• Height: 5'8"
• Weight: 165 lbs. (give or take... I think he's lost some weight lately)
• Eye Color: Hazel Brown or Green (depends on mood and surrounding color)
• Born in Cushing, Oklahoma; Raised in Sand Springs, OK
• Has one younger brother, Matt (also very talented)
• Sam returned to Los Angeles in the fall of 2001 after several years in New York.
• Sam rescued a Shepherd mix pup from the animal shelter named Zach and more recently another dog named Emma

 

Favorites

• Favorite Color: "Blue, but it depends on my mood"
• Favorite Flower: Stargazer Lilies and Red Roses (who doesn't love red roses?)
• Favorite Movies: "To Kill a Mockingbird"(also Sam's favorite book), "Singing In The Rain", "A Star Is Born"(with Garland)
• Favorite Play: "The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe" by Jane Wagner
• Favorite Foods: "a medium rare chili burger with cheese, followed by a pint of Ben & Jerry's New York Super Fudge Chunk ice cream and some Pepto Bismol."

 

Through the Years

Sam first performed at age 2... he's a natural. His first stage musical was "South Pacific" at age 5 and he did a dramatic play "Dark at the Top of the Stairs" at age 10.

When Sam was 15 he left home to perform at Six Flags Over St. Louis to sing and dance. The next year he worked at Opryland in Nashville. He finished high school through correspondence courses, staying in Nashville to perform and work with Nashville Repertory as an actor.

At age 18 Sam moved to Los Angeles and attended UCLA studying theatre(what else?) for 2 years. It was there that he met Bruce Newberg and together they wrote a musical "Hurry! Hurry! Hollywood!" which was produced by UCLA. It was during his second year at UCLA that he won the Frank Sinatra Pop Vocal Award! This prompted Sam to leave UCLA and pursue singing. He sang anywhere and everywhere for lousy money and little glory, but he was doing what he loved.

Sam and Bruce collaborated again in 1983 on a TV sitcom pilot "Down to Earth" which was bought by Ted Turner and aired on TBS. Sam and Bruce were contracted to write the first 13 episodes and the show went on to air for 4 years on the cable station. Sam also created a concert/theatre piece during this time called "Out of Control". He performed it in a small theatre on Melrose and adopted the oversized tux and high-top tennis shoes look which he carried on to Star Search. In the fall of 83 Sam was approached by the scouts for the new show Star Search. He was rejected after his first audition... but luckily for us 2 people kept pushing and he was scheduled as the competitor on the 4th show. Once there, he didn't leave! He won a spectacular 13 weeks in a row and then the semi finals and of course the finals! By the end of the season, Sam was a staple in many homes. He was swept away in a whirlwind of sudden fame (for which, he had worked and prepared for years).

Sam released his first album "Sam Harris" in 1984 on the Motown label and played to a sold out crowd at Carnegie Hall.

In 1985 Sam did a concert tour, television appearances and started writing for his second album.

Motown released his second album "Sam-I-Am" in 1986 which featured many songs written by Sam and his brother, Matt. Sam also produced this project. The Sam Harris Club was started. Sam began rehearsals for a new musical "Little Mighty" in New York... unfortunately the show needed a lot of work before it would be ready for Broadway.

Sam left Motown in 1987 and took a breather to decide where to go next. He started writing, music as well as screenplays. He played a sold-out month at Ashford and Simpson's 20/20 club (originally sheduled for only a week!) He also performed at New York's famed Rainbow and Stars and began work on a new musical play "Hard Copy".

In 1989 Sam starred in "Hard Copy" which ran for 6 months in Los Angeles. Sam won Drama Logue Awards for writing and acting in "Hard Copy" in which he played 6 characters and did regular rewrites to keep it current, since it was set at an all night news stand. Sam is hoping to bring this show back to the stage someday.

During the years of 1990-1992 Sam made a name for himself in theatre on the west coast. He starred in productions of "Jesus Christ Superstar", "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" and "Cabaret". He returned to Rainbow and Stars for another hit engagement and developed a song and dance review called "Different Hats" which played at the Pasedena Playhouse. He also travelled to London for his concert debut. Sam also directed a full scale version of "Hurry! Hurry! Hollywood!" in La Mirada, Ca and took it to Broadway to seek backing for a possible Broadway run (some day soon this show will be on a Broadway stage).

Sam returned to the London stage in 1993 with Broadway legend Barbara Cook and then began rehearsals for "Grease!" and his Broadway debut.

The year 1994 was the one so many of us had waited for! "Grease!" did a 4 month pre-Broadway tour and then opened on Broadway in May. Sam received wonderful reviews and ovations from the crowds. We also got a delightful double CD set "Standard Time/Different Stages" which was produced and arranged by Peter Matz. Sam left "Grease!" in the fall and by December was in rehearsals for the lead role in Andrew Lloyd Webber's touring production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat". (Hurray!! Sam would be in a city near us soon!!!)

Sam was seen by over a million people as Joseph in the Broadway National Tour during the years of 1995 and 1996. The show played in more than 40 cities and performed over 400 shows! America rediscovered Sam and many long-time fans had the first chance to see him perform live and meet him. At the end of the tour Sam bought a brownstone in New York City and began making it a home. In July, he shared the stage at the Rainbows and Stars with Broadway superstar Laurie Beechman for a 2 week engagement for which they received a MAC(Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs) Award. In late August he was called upon to take the stage as "Joseph" once more, filling in for an ailing Donny Osmond. He stepped in with only a day's rehearsal for a six week stint in the Livent production in Boston and Detroit.

Sam again made a name for himself on Broadway in "THE LIFE" in 1997. He received numerous theatre nominations for his role, including a Tony Nomination!! He also signed a deal for a re-release of his "Standard Time" CD with an added track and nation-wide distribution.

Sam is currently finishing work on his new CD "Revival" which is set to be released in early 1999.  Sam will also be starring as Al Jolson in 'The Jazz Singer' on Broadway in 1999. Keep your eyes here and on the Official Sam Harris Website for more info.

Questions, comments or suggestions?? Please contact the author: Dianne

This page updated Sept. 30, 1998

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