William Jackson Harper

William Jackson Harper (born February 8, 1980) is an American actor. He stars as Chidi Anagonye on the NBC comedy The Good Place. 2Early life William Fitzgerald Harper was born on February 8, 1980, in Dallas, Texas. He graduated from the Santa Fe University of Art and Design in 2003. 2Career Harper made his Broadway debut in 2014, cast as James Harrison and Stokely Carmichael in All the Way. From 2009–2011, Harper starred in the PBS children's series The Electric Company. In 2016, Harper was cast on the NBC comedy The Good Place. Before landing the role, he considered quitting acting. Harper did not learn about the show's real premise until after he was cast. His performance has received critical prais