Peter Francis James facts for kids

Peter Francis James is an American actor and voice-over artist. He was born on September 16, 1956. He is known for his strong, deep voice.

Peter James's Early Life

Peter Francis James was born in Chicago, Illinois. His birthday is September 16, 1956. He grew up with five brothers and sisters.

Peter James's Acting Career

Starting on Stage

Peter James began his acting journey in 1979. His first play was Coriolanus by Shakespeare. He acted alongside famous actors like Earle Hyman and Morgan Freeman.

He won his first Obie award for his role as Claire in the play The Maids. He later won a second Obie award, a Drama Desk award, and a Lortel award. These were for his role as Colin Powell in the play Stuff Happens. He also acted with Dame Maggie Smith in a play called The Lady from Dubuque.

Peter James was also a special actor in Regina Taylor's play Drowning Crow. He teaches acting as a guest instructor at HB Studio. From 2022 to 2023, he starred as Florenz Ziegfeld in the Broadway show Funny Girl.

Roles in Movies and TV Shows

Peter James has been in many movies and TV shows. In 2002, he played Raymond Parks in the TV movie The Rosa Parks Story. Raymond Parks was the husband of Rosa Parks, a very important civil rights leader.

He played Judge Kevin Beck on the TV show Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. He was also Jahfree Neema in the HBO series Oz. You might have seen him in other shows like Gossip Girl, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Law & Order, and Third Watch.

From 2003 to 2009, he played Clayton Boudreau on the soap opera Guiding Light. His movie roles include Double Platinum and Long Day's Journey into Night. He also played Thurgood Marshall in a TV episode called "Simple Justice" in 1993. Thurgood Marshall was a very important lawyer and judge. In 1998, he played Isaac Coles in the TV miniseries The Wedding.

Voice Acting Work

Peter James is also a talented voice actor. He was the voice of Dr. J.S. Steinman in the video game BioShock. This game was created by Ken Levine. He has also had smaller voice roles in movies like Joe Gould's Secret and Montana.

He read the audiobook version of Native Son by Richard Wright. He also read Walter Mosley's Walking the Dog for an audiobook.

Peter James's Personal Life

Peter James taught about Shakespeare at the Yale School of Drama for many years, from 2000 to 2020. He was married to Jillian Nelson from 1995 to 2003.

Filmography

Movies

Television Shows

Video Games