Steve James (actor)

Infobox actor
name = Steve James

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caption =
birthdate = February 19, 1952
birthplace = New York City, New York
deathdate = December 18, 1993 (aged 41)
deathplace = Burbank, California
occupation = Film, television actor

Steve James (February 19, 1952 – December 18, 1993) was an American actor. He starred mostly in low-budget action films such as the "American Ninja" series, "The Delta Force" (1986), "The Exterminator" (1980), and "Enter the Game of Death" (1978). James also starred as Kung Fu Joe in the 1988 comedy/spoof "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka".

Biography

James was born and raised in New York City. His uncle was James Wall, who played Mr. Baxter on the children's television series "Captain Kangaroo". He attended C.W. Post College as an Arts and Film major. Upon graduating, he became involved in stage work and TV commercials. James started his film career off as a stuntman for such New York based film productions as "The Wiz", "The Warriors", and "The Wanderers".

James was also close friends with actor Michael Dudikoff (the two met while shooting "American Ninja") and director William Friedkin, who described him as "One of the most nicest, toughest and professional actors I've ever worked with."

Steve James died of pancreatic cancer in Burbank, California, at age 41. His last role was in the pilot for the TV series "M.A.N.T.I.S.". The pilot first aired on Fox just a few weeks after his death. Eulogies at James' funeral service were delivered by Sidney Poitier and director-writer S.C. Dacy. He was buried in Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

Filmography

Movies

* "" (1994) .... Marcus/Drew Washington
* "Weekend at Bernie's II" (1993) .... Henry
* "The Player" (1992) .... Himself
* "McBain" (1991) .... Eastland
* "Mister Johnson" (1990) .... Aliu
* "Street Hunter" (1990) .... Logan Blade
* "" (1989) .... Curtis Jackson
* "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka" (1988) .... Kung Fu Joe
* "Hero and the Terror" (1988) .... Robinson
* "Johnny Be Good" (1988) .... Coach Sanders
* "" (1987) .... Curtis Jackson
* "Hollywood Shuffle" (1987) (as Steve W. James) .... Hood #3
* "Avenging Force" (1986) .... Larry Richards
* " [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091713/ Behind Enemy Lines] " / "P.O.W. the Escape" (1986) .... Johnston
* "The Delta Force" (1986) .... Bobby
* "To Live and Die in L.A." (1985) .... Jeff Rice
* "American Ninja" (1985) .... Curtis Jackson
* "Weird Science" (1985) (uncredited) .... Guy at Table
* "Mask" (1985) .... Hospital Intern
* "Fatal Vision" (1984) (TV) .... U.S. Marshal
* "The Brother from Another Planet" (1984) .... Odell
* "Vigilante" / "Street Gang" (1983) (as Steve W. James) .... Ptl. Gibbons
* "The Soldier" (1982) .... Soldier's Force member #2
* "Times Square" (1980) (as Steve W. James) .... Dude
* "The Exterminator" (1980) .... Michael Jefferson
* "Enter the Game of Death" (1980)
* "The Mouse and the Woman" (1980) .... Union Man
* "The Warriors" (1979) .... Baseball Fury
* "Bruce Vs. Black Dragon" (1977)
* "The Land That Time Forgot" (1975) .... First Sto-Lu
* "The Education of Sonny Carson" (1974) (uncredited)

Television

* "M.A.N.T.I.S." (1994) (pilot) .... Antoine Pike
* "Riverbend" (1990) .... Major Samuel Quentin
* "Pee-wee's Playhouse" (1989) TV Episode .... Derek
* "" (1988) .... Bud Raines
* "C.A.T. Squad" (1986) .... Bud Raines
* "Moonlighting"; episode "Symphony in Knocked Flat" (1986) .... Mohammed "Boogaloo" Brown
* "The Atlanta Child Murders" (1985) (mini-series) .... Policeman #1
* "Muggable Mary, Street Cop" (1982) .... Park Slasher-Rapist
* "Arthur Hailey's Hotel"; episode "Love and Honor" (1985) .... Kaz
* "All My Children" (1970) .... Guard Pinkston (1984)
* "The Dukes of Hazzard"; episode "Danger on the Hazzard Express" (1984) .... Carney
* "T.J. Hooker"; episode "Night Vigil" (1984).... Coach Cassius Isley

tunts

* "The Brother from Another Planet" (1984) (stunt coordinator)
* "Hanky Panky" (1982) (stunts)
* "Fighting Back" (1982) (stunts)
* "Ragtime" (1981) (stunts)
* "Wolfen" (1981) (stunts)
* "Fort Apache the Bronx" (1981) (stunts) (uncredited)
* "The Exterminator" (1980) (fight consultant)
* "He Knows You're Alone" (1980) (stunts)
* "Dressed to Kill" (1980) (stunts)
* "The Wanderers" (1979) (stunts)
* "Oliver's Story" (1978) (stunts)
* "The Wiz" (1978) (stunts) (uncredited)
* "The Education of Sonny Carson" (1974) (stunts)

Writer

*"Street Hunter" (1990)

External links

*imdb name | id=0416944| name=Steve James
*amg name|2:217596|Steve James