Justin Henry
American actor (born 1971)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Justin Henry (born May 25, 1971) is an American actor and businessman, known for playing Billy Kramer in the 1979 film Kramer vs. Kramer, a debut role which earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor nomination at just eight years old. As of 2025[update], he remains the youngest Oscar nominee in any category. The performance later earned him a spot (No. 80) on VH1's list of 100 Greatest Kid Stars. Most of his film and television credits came as a child or teenager, although he has continued acting as an adult.[1]
May 25, 1971
Justin Henry | |
|---|---|
| Born | Justin Henry May 25, 1971 Rye, New York, U.S. |
| Occupations | Businessman, actor |
| Years active | 1978–present |
| Known for | Billy Kramer in Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) |
Early life and education
Justin Henry was born in Rye, New York, the son of Michele (née Andrews), a real estate agent, and Clifford Henry, an investment adviser.[2] He was educated at Brunswick School, an all-boys college-preparatory private day school located in Greenwich, Connecticut, followed by Skidmore College, a private liberal arts college in Saratoga Springs, New York, where he earned a B.A. in psychology in 1993.[3]
Career
Acting career
Henry began his acting career in Kramer vs. Kramer (1979), which was released to widespread praise and won the Academy Award for Best Picture.[4] For his performance as Billy Kramer, a young boy dealing with his parents' separation, he was nominated for the Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor[4][5] (making him the youngest person to ever be nominated for an Academy Award or Golden Globe) and won the Young Artist Award for Best Leading Young Actor in a Feature Film.[6]
His next role was in a 1983 episode of the American television series Fantasy Island.[7] On the big screen, Henry appeared in the Brat Pack film Sixteen Candles (1984), as Mike, one of main character Samantha's siblings.[citation needed] Henry also played the son of a married couple played by Don Johnson and Susan Sarandon in the film Sweet Hearts Dance (1988). In this role, critic Janet Maslin called him a "large and amusingly sullen teenager".[8]
After graduation, Henry's next widely seen performance was in 1997, as a medical student in a two-episode role during the fourth season of ER.[7] He starred opposite Ally Sheedy, Jason David Frank and Brian O'Halloran in the mockumentary The Junior Defenders, which was filmed that same year but released direct-to-video in 2007.[9]
Business career
Henry co-founded the Slamdunk Film Festival in 1998.[10] He continues to make occasional appearances in film and television.[7]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Kramer vs. Kramer | Billy Kramer | |
| 1983 | Tiger Town | Alex | |
| 1984 | Sixteen Candles | Mike Baker | |
| 1985 | Martin's Day | Martin | |
| Double Negative | |||
| 1988 | Sweet Hearts Dance | Kyle Boon | |
| 1996 | Andersonville | Tyce | |
| 1997 | ER | Med Student James Sasser | Season 4 Episodes 4 and 5 |
| 2003 | My Dinner with Jimi | Howard Kaylan | |
| Finding Home | Prescott | ||
| 2004 | Lost | Chester Gould | |
| 2007 | The Junior Defenders | Jimmy Fletcher | |
| 2008 | My Own Worst Enemy | Dr. Rafe Castle | Season 1 Episode 2 |
| 2010 | Brothers & Sisters | Dr. Lewis | Season 4 Episode 21 |
| 2014 | Reaper | Caine | |
| 2019 | On Cinema | Himself | "The New On Cinema Oscar Special" special |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Organization | Work | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 52nd Academy Awards | Kramer vs. Kramer | Best Supporting Actor | Nominated | [4] |
| David di Donatello Awards | Special David | Won | [11] | ||
| 37th Golden Globe Awards | Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture | Nominated | [5] | ||
| New Star of the Year – Actor | Nominated | ||||
| 2nd Young Artist Awards | Best Leading Young Actor in a Feature Film | Won | [6] |