He has a brother living in Norman, Oklahoma - where Ed attended the University of Oklahoma.

Credits acting for helping him get over his shyness as a young man.

Educated at Columbia University, New York.

Was set to star in the Danny Boyle's firefighter drama "Worcester Cold Storage" with Woody Harrelson, but the project never came to fruition.

In 1973, he moved to California and entered the California Institute of the Arts, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree.

He and Amy Madigan were married by a justice of the peace in Waxahachie, Texas during the filming of Places in the Heart (1984).

Often called "the thinking woman's sex symbol".

Received an honorary diploma from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2003.

Good friends with Fred Ward.

He says his most embarrassing moment was modeling tuxedos at the Oklahoma State Fair in 1971.

Originated the role of "Eddie" in the stage production of "Fool for Love" by Sam Shepard. He later worked with Shepard himself in The Right Stuff (1983) and then Shepard went on to succeed him in the film adaptation of the play.

Due to injuries he sustained while filming The Abyss (1989), he was almost unable to accept the role of Frankie Flannery in _State of Grace (1990)_.

Has appeared in 3 films based on Stephen King stories: Creepshow (1982), Needful Things (1993) and "The Stand" (1994) (mini).

Graduated from Tenafly High School in Tenafly, New Jersey.

An veteran stage actor, he made his European debut in Ireland in 2006 with Neil LaBute's Wrecks.

Son-in-law of John Madigan.

Was nominated for Broadway's 1986 Tony Award as Best Actor (Play) for "Precious Sons."

Has three films on the American Film Institute's 100 Most Inspiring Movies of All Time. They are: A Beautiful Mind (2001) at #93, The Right Stuff (1983) at #19, and Apollo 13 (1995) at #12.

To learn how to paint in Jackson Pollock's style and portray his art in the film, he had a studio built on his property and spent some time painting and working on Pollock pieces.

He won an Obie for "Fool For Love."

One of his favorite books is The Grapes Of Wrath.

His father was a singer with the Fred Waring chorus.

Daughter Lily Dolores Harris born on 3 May 1993.

Was named one of People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People (2001)