Jay Harrington
Harrington III (born November 15, 1971), professionally known as Jay Harrington, is an American actor and director. He is known for his role as the title character in the ABC sitcom Better Off Ted (2009–2010), and as Sgt. David "Deacon" Kay in S.W.A.T. from 2017 to 2025.
Also recorded as James H. Harrington III
Jay Harrington

FOX8 · S.W.A.T. | Jay Harrington Alex Russell | Season 1 at 0:25, cropped, brightened · CC BY 3.0
- Name
- Jay Harrington
- Birth Name
- James H.
- Born
- 15 November 1971
- Birthplace
- Wellesley, Massachusetts, U.S.
- Occupation
- Actor, director
- Education
- Syracuse University
- Nationality
- United States
- Languages
- English
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Documentary summary
Harrington III (born November 15, 1971), professionally known as Jay Harrington, is an American actor and director. He is known for his role as the title character in the ABC sitcom Better Off Ted (2009–2010), and as Sgt. David "Deacon" Kay in S.W.A.T. from 2017 to 2025.
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wikidata · Q1139296 · wikipedia · Jay Harrington
In this article
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Jay Harrington • Birth Name — James H. Harrington III • Born — 15 November 1971 • Birthplace — Wellesley, Massachusetts, U.S. • Occupation — Actor, director • Education — Syracuse University
Early life
Early life
Harrington was born and raised in Wellesley, Massachusetts to Judy and Terry Harrington. He has two brothers, actor Adam and Matt. As a child, his family spent summers on Cape Cod up the road from The Harwich Junior Theater. He attended Wellesley High School and then studied theater at Syracuse University.
Career
Career
Harrington has been featured as Dr. Simon O'Keefe on the WB drama Summerland, FBI Special Agent Paul Ryan on FOX's short-lived The Inside, and Steve on NBC's version of Coupling. He appeared in a recurring role on the police drama series The Division. He has also had roles on A.U.S.A., The Shield, Time of Your Life, Private Practice, and Burn Notice. In 2006, Harrington began appearing as Dr. Ron McCready on the series Desperate Housewives. He starred as Ted Crisp in the comedy series Better Off Ted from March 2009 to January 2010. He had a recurring role in Season 4 of the TV Land comedy series Hot in Cleveland. In 2014, he co-starred on the short-lived USA Network comedy series Benched. In 2017, he had a guest role on Suits as Mark Meadows, Donna's ex-boyfriend. He starred as Sergeant II David "Deacon" Kay on S.W.A.T., based on the 1975 television series and 2003 movie of the same name, and was a series regular for all eight seasons. Harrington has appeared in films such as American Reunion (with his character again – like in Desperate Housewives – being called "Dr. Ron"), Whatever It Takes, Anywhere but Here, Catalina Trust, A Little Inside, and Partner(s). He has also performed on stage, starring as Jack in Boy's Life and appearing in the off-Broadway productions Barefoot in the Park and Tony and Tina's Wedding, Harrington is an avid sports fan who plays in the Entertainment League, a private celebrity basketball league (formerly the NBA-E League), and skates for a local amateur ice hockey team.
Television
Television
• Year — Show — Role — Notes • 1998 — Pacific Blue — Mitch — 1 episode • 1998 — The Pretender — Det. Maxwell — 1 episode • 1999 — Nash Bridges — Scott — Episode: "Gimme Shelter" • 2001 — Star Trek: Voyager — Ravoc — Episode: "Workforce Part 2" • 2002 — The Shield — Tom Ross — 1 episode • 2003 — Coupling — Steve Taylor — Main role • 2004 — Without a Trace — Will Sterling — Episode: "Life Rules" • 2004 — Las Vegas — Cole Helmsley — 1 episode • 2004–2005 — Summerland — Simon — Recurring role • 2005 — Ghost Whisperer — Mark — Episode: "Ghost Bride" • 2005 — The Inside — Paul Ryan — Main role • 2005–2006 — Desperate Housewives — Dr. Ron McCready — 7 episodes • 2008–2009 — Private Practice — Wyatt Lockhart — 5 episodes • 2009 — Burn Notice — Erik Luna — Episode: "Shot in the Dark" • 2009–2010 — Better Off Ted — Ted — Main role • 2012–2014 — Hot in Cleveland — Alec — Recurring role • 2014 — Benched — Phil Quinlan — Main role • 2016 — Code Black — Dr. Leo Fields — 3 episodes • 2017 — Suits — Mark Meadows — Recurring role (season 7) • 2017–2025 — S.W.A.T. — Sergeant II David "Deacon" Kay — Main role
Director
Director
• Year — Show — Notes • 2023–2025 — S.W.A.T. — Episodes: "All That Glitters", "Allegiance", "Open Season"
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Only places the record itself states, plotted where the house gazetteer settles their coordinates. Nothing is inferred from a name or a nationality.
Jay Harrington was born at Wellesley.
Birthplace
Wellesley.
Birth place
Film
• Year — Title — Role — Notes • 1999 — Anywhere But Here — Waiter • 1999 — A Little Inside — Ryan McGillian • 2000 — Whatever It Takes — Cop • 2000 — Octopus — Special Agent Roy Turner • 2011 — A Monster in Paris — Emile — Voice role • 2012 — American Reunion — Dr. Ron • 2015 — Turkey Hollow — Ron Emmerson
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Ellis, Carolyn S. "Wellesley and Weston Grads Find Success on the West Coast", WellesleyWeston Online, 14 August 2009.
- 2.Herbert, Geoff. "Actors Taye Diggs, Jay Harrington celebrate Syracuse University homecoming", Syracuse.com, 5 October 2013. Last accessed 11 April 2016.
- 3.Kang, Esther. S.W.A.T. Finally Comes to an Explosive End After Cancellation Drama: How Shemar Moore's Team Bid Farewell in Series Finale. People.com. May 16, 2025.
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Citations
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Secondary witness
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 15 August 2026.
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