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 Avenging Force (1986). 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.

Steve James
Steve James's headshot
Born(1952-02-19)February 19, 1952
DiedDecember 18, 1993(1993-12-18) (aged 41)
Resting placeHollywood Forever Cemetery
Occupation(s)Film, television actor
Years active1970–1993
Spouse
Christine Pan James
(m. 1992)
[1]

Early life

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James was born and raised in New York City. His father was trumpet player Hubie James, and 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 character's father in Silverado. 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.

Career

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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 began playing bit parts in the mid-1970s, appearing in films such as The Land That Time Forgot (1974) and The Warriors (1979).

In 1980, James acted in James Glickenhaus's vigilante film The Exterminator. The film is about two Vietnam veterans played by James and Robert Ginty, who live in the Bronx. James's character is attacked and paralyzed by a street gang, which turns Ginty's character into a vigilante.[2] The film was a success grossing $35 million at the box office launching Ginty's career as an action film leading man.[3]

Moving forward, he was often cast as a sidekick to a lead character in action films and as a supporting character in serious dramas and comedies.[4] He appeared in several low-budget films such as He Knows You're Alone (1980), The Soldier (1982) and Vigilante 1982). He also guest-starred in episodes of television series such as T.J. Hooker and E/R.

In 1984, James acted in John Sayles's critically acclaimed film science-fiction comedy The Brother from Another Planet, starring Joe Morton.[5] With fellow thespians Darryl Edwards, Ren Woods, and Bill Cobbs, they play barflies. Reviewer Deborah Jerome of The Record said that they delivered good performances to the film.[6] That year on television, James acted in an episode of The Dukes of Hazzard.[7]

In 1985, he had a co-starring role alongside Michael Dudikoff in Sam Firstenberg's martial arts action film American Ninja.[8] He reprised his role in its sequels American Ninja 2: The Confrontation (1987),[9] and American Ninja 3: Blood Hunt (1989).[10] He reunited with Firstenberg and Dudikoff for the 1986 action film Avenging Force.[11]

He co-starred with Chuck Norris in The Delta Force (1986) and Hero and the Terror (1988). He also played supporting roles in the drama Mask (1985) and the sports comedy Johnny Be Good (1988).

He played Kung Fu Joe in the 1988 spoof comedy film I'm Gonna Git You Sucka and reprised his role in the television pilot Hammer, Slammer & Slade (1990).

In 1989, he played the lead in Sam Firsteberg's action film Riverbend.[12] In it James plays a black army officer who escapes prison and ends up in small town filled with racists. The film had very limited theatrical release and didn't have any significant home video promotion.[4]

In 1990, he took the lead role in Street Hunter directed by John A. Gallagher.[13] With Gallagher, they wrote the screenplay, and hoped it would launch an action series. James said "I was getting a little tired of being a professional Tonto", and expressed enthusiasm to take on the lead on his own.[4]

In 1993, he appeared in the comedy Weekend at Bernie's II.[14] It was the last film to be released during his lifetime.

Shortly before his death from cancer in December 1993, he had completed filming the 1994 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 going to audition to play Jax in the Mortal Kombat film; however, his death caused the studio to have Gregory McKinney replace him.

Death

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On December 18, 1993, James died of pancreatic cancer[15] in his home in Burbank, California at age 41.

Eulogies at James' 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.[16]

Personal

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On December 26, 1992, James married Hawaiian actress Christine Pan at the Kahala Hilton.[17]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1974 The Education of Sonny Carson Uncredited
The Land That Time Forgot First Sto-Lu (chases Susan Penhaligon into a pool of quicksand, sinks to his death)
1979 The Warriors Baseball Fury #8
1980 The Exterminator Michael Jefferson
He Knows You're Alone Young Man
Times Square Dude (as Steve W. James)
The Mouse and the Woman Union Man
1981 Arthur Man Outside Tie Store Uncredited
1982 Muggable Mary, Street Cop Park Slasher-Rapist
The Soldier Soldier's Force member #2
1983 Vigilante (a.k.a. Street Gang) Ptl. Gibbons (as Steve W. James)
1984 Fatal Vision US Marshal
The Brother from Another Planet Odell
1985 Mask Hospital Intern
Weird Science Guy at Table Uncredited
American Ninja Curtis Jackson
To Live and Die in L.A. Jeff Rice
1986 The Delta Force Bobby
Behind Enemy Lines (a.k.a. P.O.W. the Escape) Johnston
C.A.T. Squad Bud Raines
Avenging Force Larry Richards
1987 Hollywood Shuffle Hood #3 (as Steve W. James)
American Ninja 2: The Confrontation Curtis Jackson
1988 Johnny Be Good Coach Sanders
C.A.T. Squad: Python Wolf Bud Raines
Hero and the Terror Robinson
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka Kung Fu Joe
1989 American Ninja 3: Blood Hunt Curtis Jackson
Riverbend Major Samuel Quentin
1990 Mister Johnson Aliu
Street Hunter Logan Blade
Hammer, Slammer, & Slade Kung Fu Joe
1991 McBain Eastland
1993 Weekend at Bernie's II Henry (final film role)
1994 Bloodfist V: Human Target Marcus / Drew Washington (posthumous release)
M.A.N.T.I.S. Antoine Pike (posthumous release; final film role)

Television

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Year Title Episode Role Notes
1982 Muggable Mary, Street Cop Park Slasher - Rapist TV movie
1984 T. J. Hooker Episode: "Night Vigil" Coach Cassius Isley
All My Children Unknown episodes Guard Pinkston
The Dukes of Hazzard Episode: "Danger on the Hazzard Express" Carney
1985 Hotel Episode: "Love and Honor" Kaz
The Atlanta Child Murders 2 episodes Policeman #1 (mini-series)
1986 Moonlighting Episode: "Symphony in Knocked Flat" Mohammed "Boogaloo" Brown
1993 Raven Episode: "Checkmate" Paul Dodson
1994 M.A.N.T.I.S. Antoine Pike (posthumous release; final film role)
1989 Pee-Wee's Playhouse Rebarella Derek

Stunts

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

Writer

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  • Street Hunter (1990)

References

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  1. ^ "Jet". Johnson Publishing Company. 1994-01-31.
  2. ^ Gross, Linda (October 24, 1980). "Chilling violence of exterminator". The Los Angeles Times: Part VI: 10.
  3. ^ Chase, Chris (1984-01-06). "AT THE MOVIES". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
  4. ^ a b c "Tonto to Hero in 10 years". Daily News: City lights: 5. November 4, 1990.
  5. ^ "The Brother From Another Planet - Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. 1984-09-07. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
  6. ^ Jerome, Deborah (September 14, 1984). "John Sayles spoofs Speilberg and 'E.T.'". The Record: Previews: 23.
  7. ^ "Dukes of Hazzard". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
  8. ^ "AFI|Catalog". catalog.afi.com. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
  9. ^ "AFI|Catalog". catalog.afi.com. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
  10. ^ "American Ninja 3: Blood Hunt". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
  11. ^ "Avenging Force". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
  12. ^ "Riverbend". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2023-06-14.
  13. ^ "Street Hunter". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2023-06-14.
  14. ^ "AFI|Catalog". catalog.afi.com. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
  15. ^ "Ninja Steve James". Archived from the original on 2012-03-12. Retrieved 2012-04-24., biography
  16. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-04-25. Retrieved 2011-10-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  17. ^ Harada, Wayne (January 6, 1993). "Show biz". The Honolulu Advertiser: C4.
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