Renny Harlin
Photo: TMDB

Director

Renny Harlin

Born
15 March 1959
Age
67 years old
Next birthday in
139 days
Zodiac sign
Pisces
Birthplace
Riihimäki, Finland
Credits
46

Born in Riihimäki, Finland, on March 15, 1959, Renny Harlin is a filmmaker whose work centers on directing, with a total of 46 credits. Movie fans may recognize his name from Die Hard 2 (1990), Cliffhanger (1993) and A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988). In that last film, he even shows up briefly as a student, though without on-screen credit.

Over the years, Harlin has also directed The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996), Deep Blue Sea (1999), Mindhunters (2004), The Covenant (2006) and Cleaner (2007). His TV work includes directing for the series White Collar (2009). The latest film on his list is The Legend of Hercules (2014). He served as its director and also took on a small uncredited role as Officer Linus.

Frequent co-stars

  • Samuel L. Jackson · 4 films together: The Beast, The Long Kiss Goodnight, Cleaner, Deep Blue Sea
  • Richard Brake · 3 films together: The Strangers: Chapter 3, The Strangers: Chapter 2, The Strangers: Chapter 1
  • Gabriel Basso · 3 films together: The Strangers: Chapter 3, The Strangers: Chapter 2, The Strangers: Chapter 1
  • Madelaine Petsch · 3 films together: The Strangers: Chapter 3, The Strangers: Chapter 2, The Strangers: Chapter 1
  • Ema Horvath · 3 films together: The Strangers: Chapter 3, The Strangers: Chapter 2, The Strangers: Chapter 1
  • Pedro Leandro · 2 films together: The Strangers: Chapter 3, The Strangers: Chapter 2

Nominations

  • Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Director (1991)

Career at a glance

First credit: Custody (1980) · Credits: 46

Roles played

  • The Beast (2026)The Beast2026 · Director
  • Deep Water (2026)Deep Water2026 · Ship Radio Dispatcher (voice)
  • Deep Water (2026)Deep Water2026 · Director
  • The Strangers: Chapter 3 (2026)The Strangers: Chapter 32026 · Director
  • The Strangers (2026)The Strangers2026 · Director
  • The Strangers: Chapter 2 (2025)The Strangers: Chapter 22025 · Director
  • The Strangers: Chapter 1 (2024)The Strangers: Chapter 12024 · Director
  • The Bricklayer (2023)The Bricklayer2023 · Director
  • Refuge (2023)Refuge2023 · Director
  • Reunion 3: Singles Cruise (2021)Reunion 3: Singles Cruise2021 · Director
  • The Misfits (2021)The Misfits2021 · Director
  • Bodies at Rest (2019)Bodies at Rest2019 · Director
  • Legend of the Ancient Sword (2018)Legend of the Ancient Sword2018 · Director
  • Skiptrace (2016)Skiptrace2016 · Director
  • The Legend of Hercules (2014)The Legend of Hercules2014 · Director
  • The Legend of Hercules (2014)The Legend of Hercules2014 · Officer Linus (uncredited)
  • Graceland (2013)Graceland2013 · Director
  • The Dyatlov Pass Incident (2013)The Dyatlov Pass Incident2013 · Director
  • 5 Days of War (2011)5 Days of War2011 · Director
  • Covert Affairs (2010)Covert Affairs2010 · Director
Show all (26 more)
  • White Collar (2009)White Collar2009 · Director
  • 12 Rounds (2009)12 Rounds2009 · Director
  • Cleaner (2007)Cleaner2007 · Director
  • Burn Notice (2007)Burn Notice2007 · Director
  • The Covenant (2006)The Covenant2006 · Director
  • Exorcist: The Beginning (2004)Exorcist: The Beginning2004 · Director
  • Mindhunters (2004)Mindhunters2004 · Director
  • Driven (2001)Driven2001 · Director
  • Driven (2001)Driven2001 · Replacement Driver
  • Deep Blue Sea (1999)Deep Blue Sea1999 · Director
  • Johtaja Uuno Turhapuro pisnismies (1998)Johtaja Uuno Turhapuro pisnismies1998 · Renny Harlin
  • The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)The Long Kiss Goodnight1996 · Director
  • Cutthroat Island (1995)Cutthroat Island1995 · Director
  • Cliffhanger (1993)Cliffhanger1993 · Director
  • Gladiaattorit (1993)Gladiaattorit1993 · Director
  • Raptori Moe! (1990)Raptori Moe!1990
  • The Adventures of Ford Fairlane (1990)The Adventures of Ford Fairlane1990 · Director
  • Die Hard 2 (1990)Die Hard 21990 · Director
  • A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988)A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master1988 · Director
  • A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988)A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master1988 · Student (uncredited)
  • Prison (1987)Prison1987 · Director
  • Born American (1986)Born American1986 · Man's Voice from Ship's Loudspeakers (uncredited) (voice)
  • Born American (1986)Born American1986 · Director
  • The Breakthrough (1981)The Breakthrough1981 · Police officer (uncredited)
  • Kohtauspaikka 331981 · Director
  • Custody1980 · Director

Images: TMDB · Posters belong to their respective copyright holders and are shown only to identify the work and for review purposes

Profile based on TMDB and Wikidata facts and checked against public sources. Career information only.