He is best known for starring on the Netflix original series Orange Is the New Black as Corrections Officer Sam Healy.

Born in New York City, Harney went on to study under acting teachers William Esper and Phil Gushee,[citation needed] both of whom studied and taught with Sanford Meisner for many years at The Neighborhood Playhouse School Of The Theater.

[3] Throughout Harney's television career, he has performed in numerous blockbuster films such as Erin Brockovich and Ocean's Thirteen.

Harney first worked with Orange Is The New Black creator Jenji Kohan on the Showtime original dark comedy Weeds, starring opposite Mary-Louise Parker as Detective Mitch Ouellette.

[4] Set in 1999, Bad Hurt chronicles Ed Kendall's (Harney) struggle with PTSD as a proud war veteran and father to son (Theo Rossi) and mentally ill adult daughter (Iris Gilad), and the challenges each of them face during the constant pursuit of maintaining a normal family dynamic.