Steve James (actor)

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Steve James
Born February 19, 1952
New York City, New York
Died December 18, 1993(1993-12-18) (aged 41)
Burbank, California
Occupation Film, television actor
Website
http://www.ninjastevejames.com/

Steve James (February 19, 1952 – December 18, 1993) was an American actor, stuntman and martial artist. He starred mostly in action films such as the American Ninja series, The Delta Force (1986), The Exterminator (1980), and Enter the Game of Death (1978). James also portrayed Kung Fu Joe in the 1988 comedy/spoof film I'm Gonna Git You Sucka, and its 1990 television pilot spinoff Hammer, Slammer, & Slade.

Contents

[edit] Biography

Steve James was born and raised in New York City. His father was trumpet player, Hubie James. His uncle was James Wall, who played Mr. Baxter on the children's television series Captain Kangaroo. His godfather was Joe Seneca who, among many roles, played Danny Glover's father in Silverado. Joe Seneca was instrumental in Steve becoming interested in action films as he took him to movies on 42nd Street when he was a child. He graduated from Power Memorial Academy in 1969, then 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.

Steve was married to Christine Pan James in Hawaii. During their honeymoon, he was cast by Margaret Doversola for a role on Raven which was being shot in Hawaii on the old Magnum, PI studio lot.

Steve was close friends with director William Friedkin, who described him as "One of the nicest, toughest and professional actors I've ever worked with." Steve and his friend and co-writer John A. Gallagher were in the process of writing several scripts as well as working on a comic book superhero character with another friend.

[edit] Personal life

On December 18, 1993, James died of cancer of unknown origin in his home in Burbank, California at age 41. He is survived by his wife, Christine Pan James and his daughter from a previous marriage, Debi James. His wife is a writer and actor, his daughter a model and singer.

His last roles were in the feature film Bloodfist V: Human Target with Don "The Dragon" Wilson and 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. He was also scheduled to star as Jax Briggs in 1995's Mortal Kombat until his death. Eulogies at Steve's funeral service were delivered by Sidney Poitier (as his wife Chris was employed by Mr. Poitier), his father Hubie James, his friend John A. Gallagher and Christine Pan James. His urn resides on the mantle of his wife's and his home in Burbank, California.[1]

[edit] Filmography

[edit] Movies

[edit] Television

[edit] Stunts

[edit] Writer

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://www.ninjastevejames.com/media/stevejamesbio.pdf

[edit] External links

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