**John Harkins** (1930-1999) was an American actor, known for his long career as a character actor, especially in supporting film roles. Harkins was distinguished by his portrayal of characters who were often authoritative, intelligent, and at times enigmatic or ambiguous.

He typically played roles such as lawyers, doctors, judges, academics, or officials. His style was characterized by a subtle intensity and an incisive presence, which lent depth to his characters. Among his most memorable appearances are Dr. Allenby in *Being There* (1979), Chief Prosecutor James Rosen in *Absence of Malice* (1981), and the Dean of the Law School in *Reversal of Fortune* (1990). He also appeared in films such as *Birdy* (1984) and *See No Evil, Hear No Evil* (1989). His ability to embody figures of power or intellect made him a recognizable and esteemed face in the Hollywood landscape.