David Harbour reflects on a career that began on Broadway and expanded to television and film, and how the breakout success of Stranger Things reshaped his identity as an actor. Over the first 16 years of his acting path, Harbour built a solid resume that included major Broadway runs in The Invention of Love, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, and The Coast of Utopia. He also took on supporting roles on television in Pan Am and The Newsroom and appeared in feature films such as Quantum of Solace, State of Play, and The Equalizer. With Stranger Things, Harbour experienced a seismic shift that challenged and transformed what he believed he would become as an artist. The Netflix hit elevated him to global recognition and opened doors to a broader range of dramatic and genre work, while also changing the pace and pressures of his career. Harbour discusses how the role of Jim Hopper allowed him to probe darker, more nuanced terrain and simultaneously connect with a devoted fanbase. The experience is described as a turning point that altered his career trajectory, from stage work and supporting film roles to a visible lead presence in a cultural phenomenon. Today Harbour continues to balance film, television and theater, drawing on his rich training in live performance while embracing high profile projects that push his craft. For fans and aspiring actors, his journey highlights the transformative power of a breakout role and the importance of versatility across stages and screens.