Steve James (actor) facts for kids

Steve James (born February 19, 1952 – died December 18, 1993) was an American actor. He was also a stunt performer and a martial artist. He was best known for his roles in action movies. These included the American Ninja film series. He also appeared in The Delta Force (1986) and Avenging Force (1986). Steve James also played a funny character named Kung Fu Joe. This was in the 1988 comedy film I'm Gonna Git You Sucka. He played the same role in its TV show pilot Hammer, Slammer, & Slade in 1990.

Life and Career

Steve James was born and grew up in New York City. His father, Hubie James, was a trumpet player. His uncle, James Wall, played Mr. Baxter on the children's TV show Captain Kangaroo. Steve's godfather was Joe Seneca, who was also an actor. Joe Seneca helped Steve become interested in action films. He would take Steve to movies when Steve was a child.

Steve James finished high school at Power Memorial Academy in 1970. Then, he went to C.W. Post College. He studied Arts and Film there.

Early Career

After college, Steve James worked on stage and in TV commercials. He started his film career as a stunt performer. This means he would do dangerous scenes for other actors. He worked on movies filmed in New York, like The Wiz and The Warriors.

In the mid-1970s, he began getting small acting roles. He appeared in films such as The Land That Time Forgot (1974). In the early 1980s, he was in several low-budget movies. These included The Exterminator (1980) and He Knows You're Alone (1980). He also appeared as a guest star on TV shows. Some of these were T.J. Hooker and The Dukes of Hazzard.

Action Film Roles

In 1985, Steve James got a big role in the martial arts action film American Ninja. He starred alongside Michael Dudikoff. He played the same character, Curtis Jackson, in the sequels. These were American Ninja 2: The Confrontation (1987) and American Ninja 3: Blood Hunt (1989).

During this time, he often played a supporting character in action films. He acted with Chuck Norris in The Delta Force (1986). He also appeared in other types of movies. These included the science-fiction comedy The Brother From Another Planet (1984). He was also in the drama Mask (1985).

He played Kung Fu Joe again in the 1990 TV film Hammer, Slammer & Slade. This was a spin-off from the movie I'm Gonna Git You Sucka. Steve James also had main roles in the action films Riverbend (1989) and Street Hunter (1990). His last film released while he was alive was the comedy Weekend at Bernie's II in 1993.

Later Work

Steve James finished filming two projects shortly before he passed away. One was the 1994 film Bloodfist V: Human Target. The other was the pilot episode for the TV series M.A.N.T.I.S.. The pilot aired on Fox just a few weeks after his death. He was also going to try out for the role of Jax in the Mortal Kombat movie. However, his death meant another actor, Gregory McKinney, took the role.

Death

Steve James died on December 18, 1993. He was 41 years old. He passed away from pancreatic cancer at his home in Burbank, California.

People spoke at his funeral service. These included Sidney Poitier, his father Hubie James, and his friend John A. Gallagher. His wife, Christine Pan James, also spoke.

Filmography

Film

Television

Stunts

Writer

• Street Hunter (1990)

See also

In Spanish: Steve James para niños