The family arrived in Philadelphia, and Harry took no time in becoming a one of the most popular members of his “high school gang.” School over, he went on to earn a degree in mechanical engineering from Drexel University, Philadelphia, and by 1979 had acquired an American citizenship. In 1980, his professional career got off the blocks when he took up a consultant engineer’s assignment in the aerospace defense industry. He also became a Licensed California Professional Engineer and Registered Mechanical Engineer and obtained a General Contractor’s License. He also realized that at some point he would need wings to soar, literally, and went to become a General Aviation Licensed Private Pilot.

But acting is where his heart was. California’s theater culture allowed him to blossom as an actor. He took lessons, attended workshops. And soon Harry Sidhu who loved the stage from a young age got his break to be a part of Hollywood plays! Annie get your gun, Indian wants the Bronx, Last Train to Pakistan, An American daughter-in-law, The Millionaires, were among the plays in which he featured. He became an easily recognizable face. As Harry started getting noticed in theater, offers for cameo roles in television started pouring in. He became a part of popular TV shows such as A Team, Mac Gyver and Capitol. The big league was waiting. Not content in getting typecast in ethnic roles in the USA, Harry made his move to Bollywood, and became a part of Do Yaraon Ki Yari alongside the likes of Navin Nischol, Mazhar Khan and Shoma Anand. The movie did fairly well. Several modeling assignments followed. The one with Embassy cigarettes brought Harry Sidhu maximum mileage—for four years he remained the face of the tobacco firm.