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Jonathan Harris

Jonathan Harris

Actor · Died November 3, 2002, aged 87 · The Bronx, New York, USA

Jonathan Harris (born Jonathan Daniel Charasuchin; November 6, 1914 - November 3, 2002) was an American character actor whose career included more than 500 television and movie appearances, as well as voiceovers. Two of his best-known roles were as the timid accountant Bradford Webster in the television version of The Third Man and the fussy villain, Dr. Zachary Smith, of the 1960s science-fiction series Lost in Space. Near the end of his career, he provided voices for the animated features A Bug's Life and Toy Story 2. Acting was Harris's first love. At age 24, he prepared a fake résumé and tried out for a repertory company at the Millpond Playhouse in Long Island, New York and appeared in several of this troupe's plays, prior to landing a spot in the company. In 1942, Harris won the leading role of a Polish officer in the Broadway play The Heart of a City. Adopting a Polish accent, he advised the producers that his parents were originally from Poland. In 1946, he starred in A Flag Is Born, opposite Quentin Reynolds and Marlon Brando. In 1990, Harris reunited with the cast of Lost in Space in a filmed celebration of the 25th anniversary of the series' debut, at an event attended by more than 30,000 fans. Harris made a number of other convention appearances with other cast members of Lost in Space, including a 1996 appearance at Disney World.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
November 6, 1914
Died
November 3, 2002 (aged 87)
From
The Bronx, New York, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
25 on Motif · 63 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28Down 32% in 30 days

What are Jonathan Harris' films like?

Across their 7 Motif titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
38%
Morality
26%
Self
18%
Survival
10%
Society
8%
Family bonds2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption2 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship2 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 4 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 3 · Serious 0 · Dark 1

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 0 · Stylized 4 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 1 · Charged 2 · Intense 1

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 2 · Shifting 2 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 0 · Some laughs 3 · Funny 1

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 2 · Even-paced 2 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 4 · Engaged 0 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 4 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

4 analyzed roles
Trickster
1 of 4
Shadow
1 of 4
Shapeshifter
1 of 4
Mentor
1 of 4

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Joyful
6
Tense
2
Thrilling
2
Absurd
1
Warm
1
Other
4

How their films linger

Feel-good6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy6
  • Ambiguous1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Jonathan Harris' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 16 of their 25 Motif titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Disney+ (7).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Jonathan Harris' titles on Motif; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Motif score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

63 credits, 25 with a Motif page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • The Pixar Story(2007)

    as Manny (voice) (archive footage)

    Motif score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Hubert's Brain (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2001)

    as The Professor (voice)

  • Al Lewis: Forever Grandpa (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2000)

    as Dr. Zachary Smith (archive footage)

  • Buzz Lightyear of Star Command (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 2 episodes · as Era (voice)

  • Toy Story 2(1999)

    as The Cleaner (voice)

    Motif score: 98th percentile of all films

  • A Bug's Life(1998)

    as Manny (voice)

    Motif score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Toonsylvania (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 21 episodes · Actor

  • Channel Umptee-3 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 13 episodes · as Stickley Rickets (voice)

  • The Angry Beavers(1997)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Motif score: 54th percentile of all shows

  • Superman: The Animated Series(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Julian Frey (voice)

    Motif score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Quack Pack(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Professor Henry Villanova (voice)

    Motif score: 37th percentile of all shows

  • Freakazoid!(1995)

    Show 6 episodes · as Professor Jones (voice)

    Motif score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • Spider-Man: The Animated Series(1994)

    Show 2 episodes · as Miles Warren / The Professor (voice)

    Motif score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Problem Child (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 13 episodes · as (voice)

  • Darkwing Duck(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as Phineas Sharp (voice)

    Motif score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • The Adventures of Don Coyote and Sancho Panda(1990)

    Show 13 episodes · Actor

    Motif score: 23rd percentile of all shows

  • Happily Ever After(1989)

    as Sunflower (voice)

    Motif score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Visionaries: Knights of the Magical Light (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 13 episodes · Actor

  • Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night(1987)

    as Grumblebee (voice)

    Motif score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Witches, Warlocks & Wizards (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1986)

    as Host

  • Rainbow Brite and the Star Stealer(1985)

    as Count Blogg (voice)

    Motif score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • $weepstake$ (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · as Granger

  • Vega$ (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Battlestar Galactica (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 6 episodes · as Lucifer · as Lucifer (voice) · as Lucifer (voice) (uncredited)

  • Escapade (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1978)

    as Oz (uncredited) (voice)

  • Last of the Good Guys (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1978)

    as Dr. Cropotkin

  • Space Academy (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 15 episodes · Actor

  • Ark II (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · as Fagon

  • Monster Squad(1976)

    Show 1 episode · as The Astrologer

    Motif score: 26th percentile of all shows

  • Lost in Space (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1973)

    as Dr. Zachary Smith (voice)

  • My Favorite Martians (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 16 episodes · as Uncle Martin (voice)

  • Sanford and Son (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Funny Face (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Once Upon a Dead Man (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1971)

    as Mr. Wortzel

  • Night Gallery(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Prof. Nicholas Porteus

    Motif score: 85th percentile of all shows

  • Love, American Style (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Hollister · as Mr. Benjamin

  • Lancer (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1968)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Land of the Giants(1968)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Piper

    Motif score: 55th percentile of all shows

  • The Three Musketeers (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1968)

    Show 18 episodes · as Athos

  • Get Smart(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as The Ambassador

    Motif score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Lost in Space(1965)

    Show 83 episodes · as Dr. Zachary Smith

    Motif score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Bewitched(1964)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

    Motif score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • The Rogues (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Paul Duval

  • The Bill Dana Show (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 42 episodes · Actor

  • Outlaws (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Third Man (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 77 episodes · Actor

  • The Twilight Zone(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Doctor · as George Alfred

    Motif score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Bonanza(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Charles Dickens

    Motif score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • The Big Fisherman(1959)

    as Lysias

    Motif score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Catch Me If You Can! (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1959)

    as Lindström

  • Shirley Temple's Storybook(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Lord Karsch

    Motif score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • Zorro(1957)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

    Motif score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Telephone Time (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1956)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Climax! (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1954)

    Show 1 episode · as Fritz Weiser

  • King Richard II (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1954)

    as Exton

  • General Electric Theater (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1953)

    Show 1 episode · as Favier · as Fouresh · as Hong Kong Sam · as Trapollini

  • Botany Bay (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1952)

    as Tom Oakly

  • Omnibus (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1952)

    Show 4 episodes · as Courcelles · as Matey

  • The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet(1952)

    Show 1 episode · as Farnsworth

    Motif score: 51st percentile of all shows

  • Hallmark Hall of Fame (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1951)

    Show 1 episode · as Exton · as Legendre

  • Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1951)

    Show 1 episode · as Popeau

  • Lights Out (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1949)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Studio One (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1948)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Wetheril · as Lord James O'Brien · as Master of Ceremonies · as Mr. Dickinson

Career shape

Star power in the 88th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 63 titles from 1948 to 2007; peak year 1999.

Biggest box office

A Bug's Life (1998)

$363M worldwide

Highest rated

A Bug's Life (1998)

Motif 88th

Most popular right now

Lost in Space (1965)

Film career

19482007

Peak 1999 · their film career is on the way up. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 1965Screen debut· Lost in Space
  • 1985First film· Rainbow Brite and the Star Stealer

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting63 of 63: 63 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Motif score73rd

By decade

1940s2 · acting1950s16 · acting1960s10 · acting1970s14 · acting1980s5 · acting1990s12 · acting2000s4 · acting

Billing

usually 10th · top billed in 0% of 5 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Motif score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on Motif, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Jonathan Harris' films land?

Their typical Motif film has a Motif score in the 73rd percentile, the median of all 7; across a limited sample of 4 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 55th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

55thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 4

Approval · how many liked their films

64thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 4

Reach · how many have seen their films

70thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 4

Motif score across 25 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up11
  • 50th to 74th7
  • 25th to 49th5
  • Below 25th2

Shape of the crowd

12 of their 25 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved5
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser12
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed5

Most divisive · actor

Happily Ever After (1989)

87th percentile spread · 33% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Toy Story 2 (1999)

Motif 98th · 88% liked

Reviewers score the acting 71/100 in their films, across 4 reviewed titles; fans 78, detractors 46. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on Motif; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Motif score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their Motif titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Jonathan Harris work with?

People who share at least 2 of Jonathan Harris' Motif titles, grouped by what they did on them; Robby London shares the most, 2.

Writers

Actors

Editors

Producers