James Cromwell facts for kids

Quick facts for kids James Cromwell
Cromwell in 2010
Born	James Oliver Cromwell (1940-01-27) January 27, 1940 (age 85) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Other names	Jamie Cromwell
Education	Carnegie Mellon University (BFA)
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1955–present
Height	6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Spouse(s)	Anne Ulvestad ​ ​ (m. 1977; div. 1986)​ Julie Cobb ​ ​ (m. 1986; div. 2005)​ Anna Stuart ​ ​ (m. 2014)​
Children	3
Parent(s)	John Cromwell Kay Johnson

James Oliver Cromwell (born January 27, 1940) is a well-known American actor. He is famous for playing many different types of characters in films and TV shows. He won a Primetime Emmy Award and was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in the movie Babe (1995).

Some of his other famous movie roles include Star Trek: First Contact (1996), L.A. Confidential (1997), The Green Mile (1999), and The Artist (2011). He also lent his voice to characters in animated films like Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002) and Big Hero 6 (2014). On television, he has appeared in popular series such as American Horror Story: Asylum, Six Feet Under, and Succession.

Early Life and Education

James Cromwell was born in Los Angeles, California, on January 27, 1940. His parents were also involved in acting: his mother was actress Kay Johnson and his father was actor and director John Cromwell. His father faced difficulties in his career during the McCarthy era, which meant he was prevented from working in Hollywood for a time.

James Cromwell went to The Hill School and later studied theater at Carnegie Mellon University. He also trained at HB Studio in New York City. Like his parents, he loved the theater and performed in many different plays, from classic Shakespeare to more modern shows.

Acting Career Highlights

James Cromwell started his television career in 1974 with a role in The Rockford Files. Soon after, he appeared in the popular show All in the Family. In 1975, he got his first main TV role in Hot l Baltimore and also appeared in M*A*S*H. His first movie role was in the detective comedy Murder by Death in 1976.

Throughout the 1980s, Cromwell continued to work in television and movies. He had supporting roles in films like Tank and Revenge of the Nerds (both 1984).

Notable Film and TV Roles

Cromwell gained wide recognition for his roles in many critically acclaimed films. He played Farmer Hoggett in the beloved movie Babe (1995), which earned him an Academy Award nomination. He also appeared in The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996), L.A. Confidential (1997), and The Green Mile (1999).

He is well-known to Star Trek fans for playing Dr. Zefram Cochrane in Star Trek: First Contact (1996). He also appeared in several Star Trek TV series, including Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Star Trek: Enterprise.

On television, Cromwell received an Emmy Award nomination for his role as newspaper owner William Randolph Hearst in the TV film RKO 281. He was also nominated for an Emmy for his work on the medical drama ER. From 2003 to 2005, he played George Sibley in the HBO series Six Feet Under, earning another Emmy nomination.

In 2006, Cromwell played Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in the film The Queen. He also appeared as Phillip Bauer, the father of the main character, in the TV series 24. In 2008, he played George H. W. Bush in the film W., which was about the life of George W. Bush.

More recently, Cromwell starred in the HBO series The Young Pope (2016) and Succession (2018–2023), for which he received multiple Emmy nominations. In 2020, he appeared in the Australian comedy-drama film Never Too Late. He is also featured in the HBO Max show Julia, playing Julia Child's father.

Activism and Advocacy

James Cromwell is a strong supporter of many social causes, especially animal rights. He became a vegetarian in 1974 after seeing a stockyard. He then became a vegan while filming Babe in 1995. He often speaks out for PETA about the fair treatment of animals.

He has participated in protests against animal cruelty, including at SeaWorld and against certain animal research practices. In 2022, PETA named him their Person of the Year. In 2023, he helped a pig destined for slaughter find a new home at an animal sanctuary and named the pig "Babe."

Cromwell has also been involved in other social movements. His experiences during the Civil Rights Movement in 1964 deeply affected him. He became an activist against the Vietnam War and supported the Black Panther Party. He has also expressed his political views, including supporting Bernie Sanders in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

Personal Life and Family

James Cromwell is known for his impressive height, standing at 6 feet 7 inches (201 cm). He is the tallest actor ever nominated for an Academy Award. His son, John, is even taller at 6 feet 8 inches (203 cm). Both James and John have played the same character at different ages in TV shows like American Horror Story: Asylum.

Cromwell has been married three times. He has three children from his first marriage to Ann Ulvestad. He later married actress Julie Cobb and then actress Anna Stuart. He lives in Warwick, New York.

Awards and Nominations

James Cromwell has received many awards and nominations for his acting.

Images for kids

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  James Cromwell and J. G. Hertzler show their arrest citations at a protest in 2016.

See also

In Spanish: James Cromwell para niños

• List of animal rights advocates