Actor, Director, Teacher

James’ distinguished career in film, television, and theater has spanned over 35 years. He has acted in well over a hundred films and TV shows and has performed on and Off Broadway and in regional theaters across the country.

Most recently he starred on Broadway opposite Bryan Cranston in the Tony Award winning drama, ‘All The Way’, and in the Pasadena Playhouse production of ‘The Great Leap’, He can be seen currently as the mad scientist, Dr. Knotts on the hit HBO series High and Mighty and the soon to be released ‘Pencil Town’ . He is best known to TV audiences playing Jim Walsh on the original ‘Beverly Hills 90210’.

His directing career has included several hours of episodic television including the award winning ABC drama, ‘Once And Again’ and ‘Beverly Hills 90210’. His documentary ‘Protecting The Possibilities’ won a CINE Golden Eagle award.

In Los Angeles theater, he has directed plays at the Pasadena Playhouse, IAMA Theatre, Ensemble Studio Theatre, The Matrix, Inside The Ford, Boston Court, and The Falcon.

Savoring the opportunity to teach throughout his career, James has led acting workshops at several studios in LA (including BGB) and at many universities including USC, UC San Diego, Cal State Fullerton, Stevens College, and the Lincoln Center Institute. He teaches his private workshops in Sherman Oaks and at the Pico Playhouse.

James began his training at Chicago’s Second City and received a BFA in drama from the Juilliard School. He has studied the Meisner Technique extensively with Janet Alhanti and Sandy Marshall.