Steve James (actor)

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Steve James
Born February 19, 1952
New York City, New York
Died Script error: The function "death_date_and_age" does not exist.
Burbank, California
Occupation Film, television actor
Website http://www.ninjastevejames.com/

Steve James (February 19, 1952 – December 18, 1993) was an American actor, stunt performer 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.

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 1970, 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 stunt performer for such New York based film productions as The Wiz, The Warriors, and The Wanderers. He also practiced martial arts and was an expert in Fu Jow Pai, a system in Tiger Claw Kung Fu.

Steve was married to Christine Pan James in Hawaii. During their honeymoon, he was cast for a role on Raven which was being shot in Hawaii on the old Magnum, P.I. studio lot.[citation needed]

Personal life and death

On December 18, 1993, James died of pancreatic cancer[1] 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 widow is a writer and actor, his daughter a model and singer.[citation needed]

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 widow, 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 home in Burbank, California.[2]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role
1994 M.A.N.T.I.S. Antoine Pike
Bloodfist V: Human Target Marcus/Drew Washington
1993 Weekend at Bernie's II Henry
1991 McBain Eastland
Mister Johnson Aliu
1990 Riverbend Major Samuel Quentin
Street Hunter Logan Blade
Hammer, Slammer, & Slade Kung Fu Joe
1989 Riverbend Maj. Samuel Quentin
American Ninja 3: Blood Hunt Curtis Jackson
1988 I'm Gonna Git You Sucka Kung Fu Joe
Johnny Be Good Coach Sanders
Hero and the Terror Robinson
C.A.T. Squad: Python Wolf Bud Raines
1987 American Ninja 2: The Confrontation Curtis Jackson
Hollywood Shuffle Hood #3 (as Steve W. James)
1986 C.A.T. Squad Bud Raines
Avenging Force Larry Richards
Behind Enemy Lines (a.k.a. P.O.W. the Escape) Johnston
The Delta Force Bobby
1985 To Live and Die in L.A. Jeff Rice
American Ninja Curtis Jackson
Weird Science Guy at Table (uncredited)
Mask (1985) Hospital Intern
1984 Fatal Vision US Marshal
The Brother from Another Planet Odell
1983 Vigilante (a.k.a. Street Gang) Ptl. Gibbons (as Steve W. James)
1982 Muggable Mary, Street Cop Park Slasher-Rapist
The Soldier Soldier's Force member #2
1980 Times Square Dude (as Steve W. James)
The Exterminator Michael Jefferson
Enter the Game of Death Black Martial Artist
The Mouse and the Woman Union Man
1979 The Warriors Baseball Fury
1977 Bruce vs. Black Dragon
1975 The Land That Time Forgot First Sto-Lu
1974 The Education of Sonny Carson (uncredited)

Television

Year Title Episode Role
1993 Raven "Checkmate" Paul Dodson
1986 Moonlighting "Symphony in Knocked Flat" Mohammed "Boogaloo" Brown
1985 The Atlanta Child Murders (mini-series) Policeman #1
1984 The Dukes Of Hazzard "Danger on the Hazzard Express" Carney
T.J. Hooker "Night Vigil" Coach Cassius Isley
1985 Arthur Hailey's Hotel "Love and Honor" Kaz
1984 All My Children Guard Pinkston

Stunts

Year Title
1984 The Brother from Another Planet
1982 Hanky Panky
Fighting Back
1981 Ragtime
Wolfen
Fort Apache the Bronx
1980 The Exterminator
He Knows You're Alone
Dressed to Kill
1979 The Wanderers
1978 Oliver's Story
1978 The Wiz
1974 The Education of Sonny Carson

Writer

References

External links