Jerry Hardin, born in Dallas on November 20, 1929, is an American actor known for his long and prolific career as a character actor. Active for over five decades in film and television, he is internationally famous for the role of "Deep Throat" in the science fiction series *The X-Files*, a key character in the early seasons. He also portrayed memorable characters in other cult series, such as Samuel Clemens/Mark Twain in *Star Trek: The Next Generation* and Dr. Neria in *Star Trek: Voyager*. His filmography includes appearances in notable films by major directors, including *Reds* (1981), *Missing* (1982), *Cujo* (1983), and *The Firm* (1993). Specializing in roles of authoritarian or enigmatic figures, Hardin is praised for his solid screen presence, which has made him one of the most recognizable faces in the American television and film landscape.