Justin Henry Bio
Justin Henry is an American actor and businessman who first came to public attention as a child performer in the late 1970s. Born on May 25, 1971, in Rye, New York, he is best known for his debut role as Billy Kramer in the 1979 drama Kramer vs. Kramer. That early performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, and he remains the youngest Oscar nominee in any category as of 2025. Beyond his acting career, Henry has built a life in business, including co-founding a film festival while still in his twenties.
Early Life and Background
Justin Henry was born on May 25, 1971, in Rye, New York, a small city in Westchester County. He is the son of Clifford Henry, an investment adviser, and Michele Henry, née Andrews, who worked as a real estate agent. Growing up in a professional household in suburban New York gave him a stable upbringing that supported his early entry into the entertainment industry.
As a young boy in the late 1970s, Henry was drawn toward performing in much the same way many children are, through school plays and local auditions. Those early experiences led to his being cast in what would become his breakthrough role while he was still in elementary school. The casting process brought him to the attention of major filmmakers and set the course for the rest of his childhood and teen years.
Henry attended Brunswick School, an all-boys college-preparatory day school in Greenwich, Connecticut. He later enrolled at Skidmore College, a private liberal arts school in Saratoga Springs, New York, where he completed his studies and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology in 1993.
Path to Acting
Henry’s path into the film industry began in 1978, when he was only seven years old, through a series of auditions for a major studio project. The following year, at age eight, he was cast in Kramer vs. Kramer, the debut directorial feature of Robert Benton. The film was produced by Stanley R. Jaffe and released by Columbia Pictures, and Henry appeared alongside stars Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep.
The drama centered on a divorcing couple and their young son, a part that required Henry to convey serious emotional material at a very young age. Critics praised his natural screen presence, and the role immediately placed him among the most recognized child performers of his generation. That single film established him as a working actor and opened the door to other casting opportunities in Hollywood.
After his debut, Henry continued to balance school with a steady stream of small television and film roles throughout his teenage years. His early exposure to professional sets, working directors, and seasoned actors gave him a practical education that complemented his classroom learning.
Justin Henry Career
Early Career (1979–1983)
Henry’s early career was defined almost entirely by Kramer vs. Kramer, which was released in 1979 and went on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. His portrayal of Billy Kramer earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, making him, at age eight, the youngest nominee ever in any Academy Award category. He also received a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor and won the Young Artist Award for Best Leading Young Actor in a Feature Film for the same role.
Following that breakout, Henry took on smaller projects to continue building his résumé. In 1983, he appeared in an episode of the American television series Fantasy Island, marking his first on-screen work outside of his debut film. These early steps allowed him to remain active in the industry while still attending school.
Breakthrough (1984–1997)
In 1984, Henry appeared in the John Hughes-directed teen comedy Sixteen Candles, playing Mike, one of the siblings of the main character Samantha, played by Molly Ringwald. The film became a defining entry in the Brat Pack era of 1980s cinema and gave Henry a memorable supporting role in a major commercial hit. He continued working through the late 1980s with a part in the 1988 romantic comedy-drama Sweet Hearts Dance, in which he played the son of characters portrayed by Don Johnson and Susan Sarandon. The New York Times critic Janet Maslin described him in that role as a “large and amusingly sullen teenager,” reflecting his comfort with more mature characters as he grew older.
After finishing college, Henry returned to acting with a two-episode guest role in the fourth season of the long-running medical drama ER in 1997, where he played a medical student. That same year he also starred opposite Ally Sheedy, Jason David Frank, and Brian O’Halloran in the mockumentary The Junior Defenders. Though filmed in 1997, The Junior Defenders was not released until 2007, when it came out direct-to-video.
Notable Works and Milestones
Henry’s most lasting signature work is his debut performance in Kramer vs. Kramer, the role that defined his public image and earned him his historic Academy Award nomination. That same film brought him a Golden Globe nomination and a Young Artist Award win, an unusually strong collection of honors for a first-time performer. His appearance in Sixteen Candles further cemented his connection to one of the most beloved teen films of the 1980s.
Justin Henry Award Nominations
Justin Henry has received nominations from two of the most respected bodies in the film industry, both for his work in Kramer vs. Kramer. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor at just eight years old, a milestone that has never been surpassed in any Oscar category. He was also nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor for the same performance. Together, these nominations mark him as one of the most honored young performers in Academy history.
Justin Henry Awards Won
Henry won the Young Artist Award for Best Leading Young Actor in a Feature Film for his role in Kramer vs. Kramer. The award recognized his standout debut performance and remains the principal competitive win credited to his early career. Beyond that honor, his broader list of nominations and industry recognition has kept him connected to the legacy of his first film.
Justin Henry Family
Justin Henry was raised in Rye, New York, by his parents, Clifford Henry, an investment adviser, and Michele Henry, née Andrews, a real estate agent. He attended Brunswick School, an all-boys college-preparatory day school in Greenwich, Connecticut, before continuing his education at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology in 1993.
Personal Life
Henry has continued to pursue a career in business alongside his acting work. In 1998, he co-founded the Slamdunk Film Festival, a project that reflects his ongoing interest in independent film. He also makes occasional appearances in film and television, balancing professional work in business with selective return to the screen.