John James is an American actor and producer best known to television audiences for playing the character of

Jeff Colby Jeffrey Broderick "Jeff" Colby is a fictional character on the ABC prime time soap opera ''Dynasty'', created by Richard and Esther Shapiro. Portrayed by John James, Jeff Colby was introduced in the show's first episode in 1981 and appeared as a ...

in both the prime-time

soap opera A soap opera, or ''soap'' for short, is a typically long-running radio or television Serial (radio and television), serial, frequently characterized by melodrama, ensemble casts, and sentimentality. The term "soap opera" originated from radio drama ...

Dynasty A dynasty is a sequence of rulers from the same family,''Oxford English Dictionary'', "dynasty, ''n''." Oxford University Press (Oxford), 1897. usually in the context of a monarchical system, but sometimes also appearing in republics. A ...

'' and its

spin-off Spin-off may refer to: *Spin-off (media), a media work derived from an existing work *Corporate spin-off, a type of corporate action that forms a new company or entity * Government spin-off, civilian goods which are the result of military or gov ...

series ''

The Colbys ''The Colbys'' (originally titled ''Dynasty II: The Colbys'') is an American prime time television soap opera that originally aired on ABC from November 20, 1985, to March 26, 1987. Created by Richard and Esther Shapiro and Eileen and Robert P ...

'' throughout the 1980s.

Career

James is a veteran of daytime soaps, first appearing in '' Search for Tomorrow'' in the late 1970s. In 1981, he won the role of Jeff Colby in ''

'', appearing in the very first episode, " Oil", and remaining on the soap opera until the final episode, '' Catch 22'' in 1989. James played the same role in ''The Colbys'' between 1985 and 1987, and one last time in the 1991 TV movie, '' Dynasty: The Reunion''. James was nominated for a

Golden Globe Award The Golden Globe Awards are accolades bestowed by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association beginning in January 1944, recognizing excellence in both American and international film and television. Beginning in 2022, there are 105 members of ...

for his role in ''Dynasty'' in 1985 and appeared at the 1986 ceremony. The Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film went to Edward James Olmos. James returned to the genre playing Rick Decker on '' As the World Turns'' in 2003–2004. In May 2006, he was cast in the role of Dr. Jeff Martin (the first husband of Erica Kane played by series star Susan Lucci) on the ABC daytime soap opera ''

All My Children ''All My Children'' (often shortened to ''AMC'') is an American television soap opera that aired on ABC from January 5, 1970, to September 23, 2011, and on The Online Network (TOLN) from April 29 to September 2, 2013, via Hulu, Hulu Plus, and ...

''. He began appearing the following month. On July 15, 2008, James returned to ''As the World Turns'', reprising the role of demented Dr. Rick Decker. In film, James starred in '' Icebreaker'' (2000) with Sean Astin,

Bruce Campbell Bruce Lorne Campbell (born June 22, 1958) is an American actor and director. He is known for portraying Ash Williams in Sam Raimi's ''Evil Dead'' franchise, beginning with the 1978 short film ''Within the Woods''. He has starred in many low-b ...

, and Stacy Keach; in ''The Cursed'' aka ''Peril'' (2001) with

Morgan Fairchild Morgan Fairchild (born Patsy Ann McClenny; February 3, 1950) is an American actress. She began acting in the early 1970s and has had roles in several television series since. Fairchild began her career on the CBS daytime soap opera ''Search for T ...

and Michael Pare; in ''Lightning: Fire from the Sky'' (2001) with Jesse Eisenberg, Stacy Keach and John Schneider and in ''Chronology'' (2015) with William Baldwin and Danny Trejo, all of which were directed by

David Giancola David Giancola (born June 24, 1969) is a Vermont-based American Filmmaker. Born in Rutland, Vermont he has Directed, Produced, and/or functioned as Director of Photography on over 35 feature films as of December 2019. Career Giancola's first ...

. He produced and starred in '' Illegal Aliens'' (2007). In 2012, James starred in the Giancola documentary, ''

Addicted to Fame ''Addicted to Fame'' is a 2012 American documentary comedy film directed by David Giancola. The film stars Anna Nicole Smith, David Giancola, John James, Chyna, Larry King, Jesse Eisenberg and Sean Astin. Cast * Anna Nicole Smith * David Gianco ...

'' (2012), about the making of their film ''Illegal Aliens''. In 2016, James produced and starred in another Giancola film — the sci-fi action adventure, ''Axcellerator'' which reunited him with ''The Colbys'' co-star

Maxwell Caulfield Maxwell Caulfield (né Maxwell P.J. Newby; born 23 November 1959) is a British-American film, stage, and television actor and singer. He has appeared in ''Grease 2'' (1982), '' Electric Dreams'' (1984), '' The Boys Next Door'' (1985), ''The Su ...

while James' daughter Laura played one of the roles. James has appeared on stage intermittently, from musicals for the producer John Kenley to a 1996 national tour of ''Dial 'M' for Murder'' with Roddy McDowall, to playing Captain Keller in Judson Theatre Company's ''The Miracle Worker'' in 2018.

Personal life

James was born in

Minneapolis, Minnesota Minneapolis () is the largest city in Minnesota, United States, and the county seat of Hennepin County. The city is abundant in water, with thirteen lakes, wetlands, the Mississippi River, creeks and waterfalls. Minneapolis has its origi ...

, as one of the three children of radio broadcaster Herb Oscar Anderson (1928—2017) and his first wife. His brother, Herb Oscar Anderson II, is an actor. In 1989, James married Denise Ellen Coward (born 1955 in Australia), a model and 2nd Runner-up for

Miss World 1978 Miss World 1978, the 28th edition of the Miss World pageant, was held on 16 November 1978 at the Royal Albert Hall in London, UK. The winner was Silvana Suárez from Argentina. She was crowned by Miss World 1977, Mary Stävin of Sweden. First ...

. They have two children. In 2012, James' daughter, Laura, won America's Next Top Model, Cycle 19. His son Phillip is serving in the

United States Air Force The United States Air Force (USAF) is the air service branch of the United States Armed Forces, and is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Originally created on 1 August 1907, as a part of the United States Army Si ...

. In 2014, James considered running as a Republican for

New York's 21st congressional district The 21st congressional district of New York is a congressional district for the United States House of Representatives that is currently represented by Republican Elise Stefanik. The district is rural and includes all of Clinton, Essex, Fr ...

Filmography

Self

* '' The Home and Family Show'' - Dynasty Reunion (2015) * '' America's Next Top Model'' - Laura's Father (2012) * ''The Life and Death of Anna Nicole Smith'' (2007) * ''

Intimate Portrait (TV series) ''Intimate Portrait'' is a biographical documentary television series on the Lifetime cable network hosted by Meredith Vieira Meredith Louise Vieira (born December 30, 1953) is an American broadcast journalist and television personality. Sh ...

'' - Emma Samms (2002) * ''After They Were Famous'' - ''Dynasty'' (2002) * '' E! True Hollywood Story'' - ''Dynasty'' (2001) * ''Denver-Clan ohne Maske'' (1994) * ''The

Joan Rivers Joan Alexandra Molinsky (June 8, 1933 – September 4, 2014), known professionally as Joan Rivers, was an American comedian, actress, producer, writer and television host. She was noted for her blunt, often controversial comedic persona—heavi ...

Show'' - November, 4 (1991) * '' Live! with Kelly and Michael'' - October 18, (1991) * ''

Entertainment Tonight ''Entertainment Tonight'' (or simply ''ET'') is an American first-run syndicated news broadcasting newsmagazine program that is distributed by CBS Media Ventures throughout the United States and owned by Paramount Streaming. ET also airs in Aus ...

'' November, 11 (1987) * ''

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is an annual parade in New York City presented by the U.S.-based department store chain Macy's. The Parade first took place in 1924, tying it for the second-oldest Thanksgiving parade in the United States wit ...

'' TV Special (1986) * ''The 12th Annual

People's Choice Awards The People's Choice Awards is an American awards show, recognizing people in entertainment, voted online by the general public and fans. The show has been held annually since 1975, with the winners originally determined using Gallup Polls until ...

'' (1986) * ''The 43rd Annual

Golden Globe Awards The Golden Globe Awards are accolades bestowed by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association beginning in January 1944, recognizing excellence in both American and international film and television. Beginning in 2022, there are 105 members of t ...

'' (1986) * ''The 11th Annual

'' (1985) * ''Christmas with the Carringtons'' BBC TV Special (1985) * '' Breakaway'' TV Series (1984) * '' Battle of the Network Stars XVI'' - ABC Team Captain (1984) * ''The 10th Annual

'' (1984) * '' Battle of the Network Stars XIV'' - ABC Team Captain (1983) * ''The Merv Griffin Show'' - February 12 (1983) * ''The Merv Griffin Show'' - November 6 (1982) * ''

Miss USA 1982 Miss USA 1982 was the 31st Miss USA pageant, televised live on May 13, 1982 from the Gulf Coast Convention Center in Biloxi, Mississippi on CBS. The pageant was won by Terri Utley of Arkansas, who was crowned by outgoing titleholder Kim Seelbred ...

'' - Celebrity Judge (1982) * '' Battle of the Network Stars XIII'' - ABC Team (1982) * '' Battle of the Network Stars XII'' - ABC Team (1982)

Awards

Discography

*''This Time'' b/w ''Fooling Around'' (with Heidi Bruhl; 1984) *''Painted Dreams'' b/w ''Sleeping In Your Arms Again'' (1985) (GER # 60, 5 weeks)

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:James, John American male soap opera actors New York (state) Republicans Living people Year of birth missing (living people)