Jul 21, 1978

San Francisco, California

Graduated from South High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota in June of 1996, then attended SUNY in Purchase, New York. By April of 1997, he was offered the role of Michael Fitzgerald in the short-lived American television series "Cracker" (1997). Josh started off doing small plays and national commercials, but is beginning to break into the big-screen movie business with his starring role in Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998).<br/>

Chosen as one of Teen People Magazine's "21 Hottest Stars Und... ... (read more...) er 21." [1999]<br/>

Born in San Francisco but grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota.<br/>

Auditioned for Remember the Titans (2000).<br/>

Started a production company, Roulette Entertainment, with Elden Henson (Elden Ratliff).<br/>

Has three younger siblings: Jessica, Jake, and Joe.<br/>

He was caught supposedly robbing a Dairy Queen when he was 16 (he and his friends were actually making a short film).<br/>

He went to high school with actress Rachael Leigh Cook.<br/>

Was raised for the most part by his father, Daniel, and stepmother, Molly. His mother moved back to San Francisco after divorcing his father.<br/>

Josh also attended Cretin-Derham Hall in St. Paul Minnesota before attending South High School.<br/>

Josh was in a production of Tom Sawyer, he played the part of Huckleberry Finn.<br/>

Moved back to Minnesota (March 2002).<br/>

Quit football in high school because of an injured left knee.<br/>

One of Teen People's 25 Hottest Stars under 25 (2002).<br/>

One of People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People (2002).<br/>

Was scheduled to speak at a political rally in support of Senator Paul Wellstone the weekend the Senator was killed along with 7 others in a plane crash. On October 26th, 2002 (the day after the Senator's death), Hartnett appeared at a peace rally in St. Paul, Minnesota and spoke a few words in remembrance.<br/>

Was set to star as Clark Kent/Superman in Wolfgang Petersen's Batman vs. Superman, but the project has been delayed until after Brett Ratner's X-Men film.<br/>

Is a vegetarian.<br/>

Josh is of of Swedish descent.<br/>

Was voted Bliss magazines 3rd sexiest male.<br/>

Dated his childhood sweetheart Ellen Fenster. They had been together for a number of years and about a year ago, they bought a $2.5 million mansion together in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In February 2004 the two decided to go their separate ways.<br/>

Was set to play the role of Tino in Deuces Wild (2002) but dropped out when he won the role of Danny Walker in Pearl Harbor (2001). The Tino role eventually went to James Franco.<br/>

Was considered for the role of Evan Treborn in The Butterfly Effect (2004).<br/>

Director Sofia Coppola directed both Josh and his girlfriend Scarlett Johansson, but not in the same movie. Scarlett was in Coppola's Lost in Translation (2003) and Josh starred in The Virgin Suicides (1999).<br/>

Is of Irish ancestry.<br/>

Is a huge jazz fan.<br/>

The film "Hero Wanted" was originally conceived as a starring vehicle for Josh Hartnett.<br/>

Personal Quotes:<br/>

"I've had my heart broken, and it's not fun. But I'd rather have my heart broken than break someone else's heart."<br/>

"I always wanted to get out (in the world) and see what was here... what defines me is wanderlust."<br/>

"It's hard for me to work closely with a girl and not completely fall in love with her as a person." (interview in Feb 2002 issue of 'Teen People'.<br/>

"Making people laugh is hard, especially for someone who is not happy."<br/>

On moving out of L.A.: "I didn't want to get sucked up in the madness. Flitting around from club to club and girl to girl is no way to live."<br/>

"We're all on a journey. The average American switches professions four times. I'm lucky to be in a business where I can change the character I am playing every couple of months."<br/>

That whole idea of American film being different from European film is nonsense. It all depends on what kind of American film you're looking at. There's a giant stretch of American films being made. Plus there are different types of French movies. You know, people would say that Luc Besson's movies are American ... so you go, 'Well, he's French'. Or that Wicker Park is an American film, but [the director] Paul McGuigan's Scottish, so ... where are we talking about here? Is it all about where the money comes from, 'cos the money for this one comes from Europe. It can't be that. Is it the star? Then where do you put Russell Crowe? For me film is film and it doesn't have to do with borders or any of that sort of thing."<br/>

"I'm trying to choose scripts by character. I'm not so worried about creating a career. I want to create good roles, because ...I want to be the best actor I can be."<br/>

"I try my hardest not to have any plans. It drives the people in my life crazy. But I try to spend the majority of my time back home".<br/>

"Usually, when I meet a really pretty girl, right off the bat I start to feel pretty insecure."<br/>

(February 2003) Has been offered the role of Clark Kent/Superman several times by Brett Ratner and Warner Bros. for their 2004 film, but he does not want to commit to a long-term contract which would hold him to doing 3 Superman films in 10 years.<br/>

(August 2006) Auckland, New Zealand, filming 30 Days of Night.<br/>