Steve James (actor)

Steve James (actor)
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.
Early life
James was born and reared 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. Joe 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
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. The film was a success grossing $35 million at the box office launching Ginty's career as an action film leading men.
Moving forward, he was often cast as a sidekick to a lead in action films. Also as a supporting character in serious dramas and other film genres.
Also in the early 1980s, he appeared in several low-budget films He Knows You're Alone (1980) and The Soldier (1982). He also guest-starred in episodes of television series such as T.J. Hooker, and E/R.
In 1983, he had a part as Ptl. Gibbons in Vigilante.
In 1984, James acted in John Sayles's critically acclaimed film science-fiction comedy The Brother from Another Planet, starring Joe Morton. With fellow thespians Darryl Edwards, Ren Woods, and Bill Cobbs, they play barflies. Reviewer Deborah Jerome of The Record said that they delivered bringing good performances to the film.
That year on television, James acted in "Danger on the Hazzard Express" and episodes of The Dukes of Hazzard.
In 1985 he had a co-starring role alongside Michael Dudikoff in the martial arts action film Sam Firstenberg's American Ninja. He reprised his role in its sequels American Ninja 2: The Confrontation (1987), and American Ninja 3: Blood Hunt (1989). Also with Firstenberg directing and Dudikoff as the lead, they made Avenging Force (1986).
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 spin-off television film Hammer, Slammer & Slade (1990).
In 1989, he played the lead in Sam Firsteberg's action films Riverbend. 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.
In 1990, he took the lead role in Street Hunter directed by John A. Gallagher. 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.
In 1993, he appeared in the comedy Weekend at Bernie's II. 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
On December 18, 1993, James died of pancreatic cancer 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.
Personal
On December 26, 1992, James married Hawaiian actress Christine Pan at the Kahala Hilton.
Filmography
Film
Television
Stunts
Writer
Street Hunter (1990)
References
External links
1952 births
1993 deaths
20th-century American male actors
20th-century African-American people
African-American male actors
American male film actors
American male soap opera actors
American stunt performers
Burials at Hollywood Forever Cemetery
LIU Post alumni
Male actors from New York City
Deaths from cancer in California
Deaths from pancreatic cancer