In 1995, Harris portrayed Watergate figure E. Howard Hunt in the Oliver Stone biopic "Nixon", and received his first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor nomination for his performance as NASA Apollo Mission Control Director Gene Kranz in "Apollo 13". In 1996, Harris starred in and executive produced the television adaptation of "Riders of the Purple Sage". That same year, he returned to Broadway as Major Steve Arnold in the Ronald Harwood play "Taking Sides". In 1998, his co starring role in "The Truman Show" earned him a second nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, and a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture win.