Steve James

This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this article by introducing more precise citations where appropriate. (April 2009)

Steve James
Born	February 19, 1952 New York City, New York
Died	December 18, 1993 (aged 41) Burbank, California
Occupation	Film, television actor
Official website

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 portrayed Kung Fu Joe in the 1988 film comedy/spoof I'm Gonna Git You Sucka, and its 1990 television pilot spinoff Hammer, Slammer, & Slade.

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

• Bloodfist V: Human Target (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
• American Ninja 3: Blood Hunt (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
• American Ninja 2: The Confrontation (1987) .... Curtis Jackson
• Hollywood Shuffle (1987) (as Steve W. James) .... Hood #3
• Avenging Force (1986) .... Larry Richards
• 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
• Hammer, Slammer, & Slade (1990) (pilot) .... Kung Fu Joe
• Riverbend (1990) .... Major Samuel Quentin
• Pee-wee's Playhouse (1989) TV Episode .... Derek
• C.A.T. Squad: Python Wolf (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

Stunts

• 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)
• Im Gonna Git you Sucka (1988) (actor-Kung Fu Joe) (stunts) (well known for Mr. Squeaky)

Writer

• Street Hunter (1990)

External links

• Steve James at the Internet Movie Database
• Steve James at Allmovie