**Hardman, Karl** (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, March 22, 1927 – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, September 22, 2007) was an American actor and film producer, primarily known for his iconic role in George A. Romero's cult horror film *Night of the Living Dead* (1968).

In Romero's masterpiece, Hardman played Harry Cooper, a stubborn, irascible, and deeply pragmatic character, whose controversial leadership and frequent clashes with protagonist Ben formed a dramatic focal point of the film. Although not a professional actor, his raw and realistic acting style lent Cooper a memorable intensity, making him a genre icon.

After *Night of the Living Dead*, Hardman appeared in minor roles in other productions, such as *Santa Claws* (1996), but his film career remains inextricably linked to his performance as Harry Cooper, which helped define the prototype of the flawed hero/antagonist in modern horror.