The bald and slightly diminutive, affable character actor Evan Handler began his career in big-screen features with a handful of memorable portrayals in films such as the military actioner Taps (1981); the gentle, underrated coming-of-age dramedy Sweet Lorraine (1987); and Oliver Stone's gonzo anti-media orgy Natural Born Killers (1994). After 1996, Handler focused almost exclusively on television, with both guest and recurring roles on popular programs (Friends, 24, Lost) and short-lived series (Hot Properties, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip). He is perhaps best-known for his recurring role on Sex and the City (in seasons five and six) as Charlotte's divorce lawyer, Harry Goldenblatt, who ultimately won her heart and became her husband. In 2007, Handler joined David Duchovny and Natascha McElhone with a regular role as Hank Moody's (Duchovny) agent and best friend, Charlie, on the quirky Showtime series comedy Californication.
Off-camera, Handler remains active in the theater; he essayed respectable performances in such New York-based stage productions as I Hate Hamlet (1991), Big Al (1992), and Time on Fire (1993). ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
Family
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Brother: Lowell Handler. older
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Daughter: Sofia Clementina Handler. born on January 17, 2007; mother, Eliza Atti
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Father: Murry Handler.
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Mother: Enid Handler.
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Sister: Lillian Handler. older
Significant Others
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Wife: Elisa Atti. born c. 1970; engaged as of July 2003; married on October 12, 2003
Education
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The Juilliard School, New York
Milestones
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1981 Feature film debut in the military school drama, “Taps”
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1983 Played Eugene in Neil Simon’s “Brighton Beach Memoirs”
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1985 Was Matthew Broderick’s understudy in the Broadway production of “Biloxi Blues”; dropped out when he was diagnosed with cancer
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1985 Was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia
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1988 Underwent a bone-marrow transplant
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1989 Was declared cancer free
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1991 Quit the Broadway show “I Hate Hamlet” in mid-performance after his costar Nicol Williamson struck him with a sword
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1993 Presented his self-authored, autobiographical solo off-Broadway show, "Time On Fire," a critically acclaimed show detailing his fight with leukemia
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1994 Appeared in the Oliver Stone directed “Natural Born Killers”
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1996 Played one of the kidnappers in Ron Howard's film, “Ransom”
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1999 Played Shrug, the angst-ridden multi-millionaire on “It's Like, You Know...” (ABC)
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2000 Offered a critically-acclaimed performance as Larry Fine in the ABC tv-movie, “The Three Stooges”
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2001 Cast in a recurring role on the NBC political drama, “The West Wing”
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2002 Cast as Harry Goldenblatt, Charlotte's (Kristin Davis) divorce lawyer-turned love interest on the HBO series, “Sex and the City”
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2006 Cast as a disgruntled writer on "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" (NBC)
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Launched acting career as an intern at the Chelsea Theatre Center in New York City