James (Ted) Harvey was born in Detroit, Michigan, within a family deeply rooted in the world of music, art, and performing arts. As the seventh of eight children, Ted's father, Don Harvey Sr., ran an art studio in Detroit, producing commercials and full-page print ads primarily for the Big Three Auto Makers of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Not only was Don a skilled drummer and trumpet player, but he was also a member of the Detroit Federation of Jazz Musicians, frequently hosting jam sessions in his studio. Moreover, he made movies featuring his children, mostly Westerns, within the family's sprawling home.
Ted's mother, Patricia, was a school teacher who also played piano and sang in various local Detroit bands. Ted began performing in community plays at the age of 12 and continued throughout his high school years. At 20, he became serious about acting, studying at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York.
Ted's passion for music extended beyond acting, as he fronted the rock band Mud Puppies in the late 1980s and early 1990s, writing the band's songs. During his time in the play "The Fool" at Los Angeles' MET Theater under the direction of James Gammon, Ted caught the eye of casting director Bonnie Timmerman, who invited him to audition for the movie HEAT. Ted was chosen to work with director Michael Mann in the casting process, helping to shape many of the scenes in the movie while rehearsing with Al Pacino, ultimately earning his first SAG job acting in the film.
After a return to San Francisco, Ted continued to work in theater and indie films, earning a reputation in the Bay Area as a professional and dynamic actor with unlimited range and a passionate approach to his craft. Following a brief hiatus for personal and family matters, Ted recommitted himself to a career in film.
