James Fox facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Fox
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Fox in 2014
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| Born |
William Fox
19 May 1939 London, England
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| Years active | 1950–1970, 1981–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Mary Elizabeth Piper
(m. 1973; died 2020) |
| Children | 5, including Jack and Laurence |
| Parent(s) | Robin Fox (father) |
| Relatives |
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| Family | Fox |
James William Fox, born William Fox on May 19, 1939, is a famous English actor. He has starred in many movies and TV shows. His acting career started in the 1960s. He became well-known for films like The Servant. He also played important parts in A Passage to India (1984) and The Remains of the Day (1993).
In the 1970s, Fox took a break from acting. He wanted to focus on his personal life and spiritual beliefs. He returned to acting in the early 1980s. Over time, he became known for playing many different kinds of characters. These included upper-class people and more serious roles. He is part of the famous Fox family of actors.
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Early Life and Family
James Fox was born in London on May 19, 1939. He was the second son of Robin Fox, who was a theatrical agent. His mother was Angela Worthington, an actress. His older brother is the actor Edward Fox. His younger brother is the film producer Robert Fox. His grandfather on his mother's side was the playwright Frederick Lonsdale. James Fox studied acting at the Central School of Speech and Drama.
Acting Career Highlights
Starting Out in Acting
Fox first appeared in a film when he was eleven years old. He played Toby Miniver in The Miniver Story in 1950. In his early roles, both in movies and on TV, he used his birth name, William Fox.
He also appeared in the film The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962). In 1964, Fox won a BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles. This award was for his role in The Servant (1963). He worked with actors like Dirk Bogarde and Sarah Miles in that film.
On June 16, 1965, the movie Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines was released. This British comedy film was about early aviation. Fox was part of a large international cast. Other films he acted in during this time include King Rat (1965), The Chase (1966), Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967), and Isadora (1968).
Break from Acting and Return
After working on a film in 1968, Fox decided to stop acting for a while. He became an evangelical Christian. He spent time working with an organization called Navigators. He focused on his faith during this period. The only film he appeared in during this time was No Longer Alone (1976). This movie told the story of a woman who found faith.
In 2008, Fox said that his break from acting was "just part of my journey." He explained that he never stopped watching movies or reading about acting. He felt he didn't miss it because he stayed connected to the world of film.
Fox returned to acting in 1981. He appeared on TV in a show called "Country." This was a comedy-drama set during the 1945 UK elections. He then starred in films like Runners (1983) and A Passage to India (1984). He also played Anthony Blunt in a BBC play called A Question of Attribution (1992). Other roles included Lord Holmes in Patriot Games (1992) and Lord Darlington in The Remains of the Day (1993).
Later Roles
After his return, James Fox continued to act in many projects. He was in The Lost World (2001) as Professor Leo Summerlee. He also played Colonel Race in Agatha Christie's Poirot – Death on the Nile (2004). In 2005, he appeared in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He played Mr. Salt, who was Veruca Salt's father.
In 2007, he was a guest star in the TV crime series Waking the Dead. He also acted alongside his son Laurence Fox in an episode of Lewis. In 2009, he was part of the cast of Sherlock Holmes. He played Sir Thomas, a leader of a secret society.
In 2011, he played King George V in the film W.E., which was directed by Madonna. In 2013, he had a main role in the movie A Long Way from Home.
Personal Life
James Fox married Mary Elizabeth Piper in September 1973. They had five children together. Their children include actors Laurence and Jack. Mary Elizabeth Piper passed away at their home on April 19, 2020.
His daughter Lydia is married to actor Richard Ayoade. His son Laurence was married to actress Billie Piper from 2007 to 2016.
Filmography
Selected Films
- 1950: The Miniver Story as Toby Miniver
- 1950: The Magnet as Johnny Brent
- 1962: The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner as Gunthorpe
- 1963: The Servant as Tony
- 1965: King Rat as Flight Lieutenant Peter Marlowe
- 1965: Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines as Richard Mays
- 1966: The Chase as Jason 'Jake' Rogers
- 1967: Thoroughly Modern Millie as Jimmy Smith
- 1968: Isadora as Gordon Craig
- 1983: Runners as Tom Lindsay
- 1984: A Passage to India as Cyril Fielding
- 1986: Comrades as Governor William Norfolk
- 1989: Farewell to the King as Colonel Ferguson
- 1992: Patriot Games as Lord William Holmes
- 1993: The Remains of the Day as Lord Darlington
- 1997: Anna Karenina as Aleksei Aleksandrovich Karenin
- 1999: Mickey Blue Eyes as Philip Cromwell
- 2001: The Mystic Masseur as Mr. Stewart
- 2004: The Prince and Me as King Haraald
- 2005: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as Mr. Salt
- 2009: Sherlock Holmes as Sir Thomas Rotheram
- 2011: W.E. as King George V
- 2012: Cleanskin as Scott Catesby
- 2013: A Long Way From Home as Joseph
- 2018: Surviving Christmas with the Relatives as Uncle John
Selected Television Roles
- 1981: Play for Today as Philip Carlion (Episode: Country)
- 1982: Nancy Astor as Waldorf Astor (TV Mini-series)
- 1992: A Question of Attribution as Sir Anthony Blunt (TV movie)
- 1996: Gulliver's Travels as Dr. Bates (TV Mini-series)
- 2001: The Lost World as Prof. Leo Summerlee (TV movie)
- 2004: Agatha Christie's Poirot as Colonel Race (Episode: Death on the Nile)
- 2005: Agatha Christie's Marple as Colonel Arthur Bantry (Episode: The Body in the Library)
- 2007: Waking the Dead as Dr Bruno Rivelli (Episode: Mask of Sanity)
- 2009: Lewis as Professor Norman Dearing (Episode: Allegory of Love)
- 2010: Midsomer Murders as Sir Michael Fielding (Episode: Master Class)
- 2012: Merlin as King Rodor (Episode: Another's Sorrow)
- 2013: Downton Abbey as Lord Aysgarth (Episode: The London Season)
- 2015: Death in Paradise as Martin Goodman (2 episodes)
See also
In Spanish: James Fox para niños
