Celebrity Info
He’s best known for his iconic role as Leon Kowalski in the 1982 sci-fi classic Blade Runner, a performance that truly put him on the map. Over the years, he built an impressive filmography with standout appearances in films like Southern Comfort, Showdown, and the visually stunning The Fifth Element, among many others. Before he became a familiar face on screen, he honed his craft by studying theatre at San Diego State University—a solid foundation that helped shape his career. Born into a family deeply rooted in cinema, he’s the son of Jimmy and Ida Mae James, who owned movie theaters, and he spent his early years growing up in Beaumont, California. His personal life saw a significant change when his marriage to Maxine James ended in divorce back in 1996. Throughout it all, he’s remained a respected figure in Hollywood, with each role adding depth to his legacy.
He was mostly known for taking on supporting roles throughout his career, but there was one standout moment that truly put him in the spotlight — he actually took the lead in a movie. That film? A late 1980s thriller called The Horror Show, which remains a notable entry in his filmography. It wasn’t his most frequent role type, but when he did step into the lead, it made an impression. Yeah, he may have spent much of his time playing secondary characters, but that one starring role definitely showed what he was capable of. And honestly, The Horror Show still comes up whenever fans talk about his career highlights.
