Actor Devin Harjes, known for his television roles in “Boardwalk Empire,” “Daredevil” and “Gotham,” died Tuesday, May 27, at Mount Sinai West hospital in New York City. He was 41.
Harjes died from complications related to cancer after being diagnosed with the disease in February, according to his representative. The actor’s death was announced Saturday through multiple entertainment industry publications.
Born July 29, 1983, in Lubbock, Texas, Harjes developed a love for animals and grew up around horses. He initially pursued his passion for animal care before discovering acting during his college years. After studying acting, he moved to New York City to launch his professional career, beginning with student films, off-Broadway productions and independent cinema projects.
Harjes made his television debut in 2011 portraying real-life boxer Jack Dempsey in two episodes of HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire.” The role served as his breakthrough into mainstream television, leading to subsequent appearances across multiple popular series.
In the comic book adaptation genre, Harjes portrayed Oscar, a nurse at Rikers Island, in Marvel’s “Daredevil” and played Clyde, a bank security guard, in DC’s “Gotham.” His television credits expanded to include guest appearances on “Blue Bloods,” “Orange Is the New Black,” “Elementary” and “FBI.”
His most prominent recurring role came as Pete Baylor in nine episodes of NBC’s “Manifest” during the show’s second and third seasons. Harjes portrayed one of the so-called “Meth Heads” whose storyline helped main characters unpack mythological elements of the series. His performance garnered praise from viewers, with fans noting his ability to convey the character’s emotional depth.
Harjes’ film work included starring roles in “The Forest Is Red” and “Boyz of Summer,” both released in 2012. His performance in “The Forest Is Red” earned him best actor recognition at Italy’s Tolentino International Film Festival, while his work in “Boyz of Summer” received an honorable mention for best supporting actor at the Long Island International Film Expo.
In 2017, Harjes appeared alongside Nicholas Hoult and Sarah Paulson in “Rebel in the Rye,” a biographical film about author J.D. Salinger. His additional film credits included “When the Shadow Falls” and “Surprise Surprise, Mr. Conovy.”
Beyond acting, Harjes maintained an active lifestyle as a dedicated martial arts student and regular gym attendee. His obituary noted that he often joked about his fitness routine being safer than his childhood experiences with horses.
Industry colleagues remembered Harjes fondly following news of his death. Antonio DiFonzo wrote on Facebook that Harjes was “an amazing actor and friend” who constantly strived for improvement and dedicated his heart and soul to every project.
His representative, David Williams, described Harjes as an artist of great conviction who never gave less than 100 percent to any role. Williams noted that Harjes was generous, kind, understanding and devoted to his family and friends, with a particular talent for connecting with animals.
Filmmaker Debra Markowitz expressed her condolences on social media, describing Harjes’ death as occurring far too young. The sentiment was echoed across the entertainment industry as news of his passing spread.
Harjes maintained residences in multiple locations, splitting his time between the Rocky Mountains, West Texas, and Hell’s Kitchen in New York City. His connection to diverse environments reflected his versatile background spanning rodeo culture and urban theater.
The actor is survived by his parents, Randy and Rosanne Harjes; his sister, Trish Harjes, and her husband, Justin Kelley; his nephews, Tristin and Sawyer Kelley; his nieces, Rory and Charly Kelley; his ex-wife and fellow “Gotham” actress, Shiva Shobitha; and his cat, Maude.
In lieu of flowers, Harjes’ family requested donations be made to TKC Blessings in his name. The nonprofit organization provides academic and social emotional support to children in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, supporting scholarships for young people pursuing careers in the arts.
