Jon Michael Hill is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as Detective Marcus Bell in the CBS series Elementary (2012–2019) and Detective Damon Washington in the ABC series Detroit 1-8-7 (2010–2011).

Life and career

Hill played football and the saxophone during his high school years before focusing on pursuing an acting career, attending a summer drama program at Northwestern University. graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. While at the university, he appeared in stage productions of King Lear, Six Degrees of Separation and Ain't Misbehavin'.

Hill played the role of Puck in the 2007 Shakespeare in the Park production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. In 2009, Hill was nominated for the Joseph Jefferson Award for Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play for The Tempest at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago, Illinois. In 2010, Hill was nominated for a Tony Award as Best Featured Actor in a Play in Superior Donuts opposite Michael McKean. In the same year, he began his role as Detective Damon Washington in the ABC police drama Detroit 1-8-7.

Hill's other television credits include Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Person of Interest, and Eastbound & Down. He then went on to star in the CBS series Elementary, wherein he played the role of Detective Marcus Bell. In 2018, he made his directorial debut with the Elementary episode "The Worms Crawl In, the Worms Crawl Out".

In 2025, Hill received his second Tony Award nomination for Best Actor for his role in the play Purpose. The play also won the Tony Award for Best Play.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2007The Last StainBrodskyShort film
2011Falling OvernightTroy
2015Standing8AbdulShort film
2016No Pay, NudityNew Kid
In the Radiant CityRichard Gonzalez
2018Pass OverMoses
WidowsReverend Wheeler
2020SanctuaryReggieShort film

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2010–2011Detroit 1-8-7Detective Damon WashingtonMain cast; 18 episodes
2011Law & Order: Special Victims UnitTre DavisEpisode: "Spiraling Down"
2012Eastbound & DownDarnell6 episodes
Person of InterestCurtisEpisode: "Wolf and Cub"
2012–2019ElementaryDetective Marcus Bell153 episodes; also director of "The Worms Crawl In, the Worms Crawl Out"
2020The Good FightJumaane JenkinsEpisode: "The Gang Is Satirized and Doesn't Like It"
2022The Accidental WolfEpisode: "Abyss"
2022–202361st StreetPastor Richards9 episodes
2024A Man in FullConrad HensleyMain cast

Stage

YearTitleRoleVenueRef.
2006The UnmentionablesEtienneRegional, Steppenwolf Theatre Company
2007A Midsummer Night's DreamPuckOff-Broadway, Delacorte Theatre
2008Kafka on the ShorePerformerRegional, Steppenwolf Theatre Company
2009The TempestPerformer
Superior DonutsFranco WicksBroadway, Music Box Theatre
2011The Hot L BaltimoreBill LewisRegional, Steppenwolf Theatre Company
2013Head of PassesCrier
2016ConstellationsRoland
2018Pass OverMosesOff-Broadway, Lincoln Center Theatre
2019True WestAustinRegional, Steppenwolf Theatre Company
2021Pass OverMosesBroadway, August Wilson Theatre
2022True WestAustinInternational, Galway International Arts Festival
2023The Refuge PlaysWalking ManOff-Broadway, New York Theatre Workshop
2024Leroy and LucyLeroyRegional, Steppenwolf Theatre Company
2025PurposeNazareth "Naz" JasperBroadway, Helen Hayes Theatre

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef.
2010Tony AwardBest Featured Actor in a PlaySuperior DonutsNominated
Outer Critics Circle AwardOutstanding Featured Actor in a PlayWon
Theatre World AwardWon
2019Lucille Lortel AwardOutstanding Actor in a PlayPass OverNominated
2025Tony AwardsBest Actor in a PlayPurposeNominated
Outer Critics Circle AwardOutstanding Featured Actor in a PlayNominated

External links