Jay Harik was born on May 17, 1960, in Beirut, Lebanon, as Jihad Elias Harik. In 1975, he fled his homeland due to the rapidly developing Civil War, with the support of his family. He initially thought he would only be away for a few weeks, but the reality soon set in that there would be no quick resolution.
Jay found an opportunity to move to America as a foreign exchange student and left behind his life, family, and friends in Lebanon. As a non-English speaking high school kid, he struggled to assimilate into American culture, which he found lively and sometimes cruel. After finishing his last two years of high school, he was accepted to Kalamazoo College, where he concentrated on Sculpture and Physics.
Jay then transferred to the University of Wisconsin, earning both his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees, specializing in Architecture. However, he soon discovered that his new career was not fulfilling, and he found relief from his workdays at improv clubs. He discovered his comedic talent and got involved in the city's improv scene, eventually auditioning for the Second City Training Center.
After a grueling process, Jay was accepted and became hooked on showbiz. He decided to give up his architectural practice and focus on acting, eventually training at various studios and theaters. His theater credits include numerous productions, such as "Away", "The Conduct of Life", "A Man with Connections", and many others.
On July 4, 1997, Jay packed his car and headed to Hollywood, where he has since worked on various television shows, including "ER", "Malcolm in the Middle", "Two and a Half Men", and "24". He has also appeared in several films, such as "Little Athens", "What's New, Jersey", "Death and Taxis", and "The Sum of All Fears".
In 2005, Jay was part of the theatrical production of "Stuff Happens," by Sir David Hare, playing an ensemble of 10 different characters. He delivered the final monologue, closing the show.
