James Ryan (actor)
James Ryan is a South African actor, writer and director. Career. Ryan garnered international attention early in his career, starring in the 1976 film "Kill or Be Killed". Ryan appeared as a martial arts fighter in the alternate world film. He reprised the role five years later in "Kill and Kill Again", starring alongside "Miss World" winner Anneline Kriel. The sequel proved a major box office success for a low-budget South African feature, reaching No. 2 on the American box office and grossing $802,900 after two weeks in American theatres. In 1984, he had the  title role in "Go for Gold" which also starred Tamara Franke and Cameron Mitchell. He played the part of a long distance runner called Johnny who lived at home with his mother and abusive stepfather. Two things that mean a lot to him are his girlfriend Trish and his running. He has a solid influence in his champion runner friend Victor (played by M'zwandile Ngxangane). He comes to the attention of Phillip Pritchard, who is a businessman. He risks losing the things that are dear to him, as Pritchard is forcing him to choose between them and fame and fortune . In 1989, he starred in "Space Mutiny", a South African science fiction/action film. A year later, he appeared alongside Susan Sarandon and Harvey Keitel in "The January Man". In 1991, he wrote and starred in "The Last Hero". In 1994, he landed a role in "Halifax f.p", an Australian television drama that won two Australian Film Institute awards. A year later he returned to the martial arts film genre, with a role in "Kickboxer 5". In 1998, he appeared in the Australian television drama and sequel "Halifax f.p: Afraid of the Dark"; the acclaimed drama earned several Logie and  Australian Film Institute nominations. In 1999, he appeared in the sequel to "From Dusk Till Dawn", "". Since then, he has appeared in films such as "Red Lipstick", "Global Effect" and "Sterne über Madeira", a German television two-part drama alongside fellow South African Moira Lister.