James H. 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.
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.
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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 |
+ !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 | Ravoc | Episode: "" | |
2002 | The Shield | Tom Ross | 1 episode |
2003 | Coupling | Steve Taylor | Main role |
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 |
+ !Year !Show !Notes | ||
2023–2025 | S.W.A.T. | Episodes: "All That Glitters", "Allegiance", "Open Season" |
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