Quick Facts
Born:
1960-02-07
Birthplace:
Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Credits:
74 Total Roles
James Spader
Acting
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Biography
James Todd Spader (/ˈspeɪdər/ SPAY-dər; born February 7, 1960) is an American actor. He is known for often portraying eccentric and morally ambiguous characters. He began his career in critically acclaimed independent films before transitioning into television, where he has received acclaim and many awards, including three Primetime Emmy Awards and nominations for three Golden Globe Awards, and ten Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Spader began acting in youth-oriented films such as Tuff Turf, The New Kids (both 1985), Pretty in Pink (1986), and Mannequin (1987). His breakthrough role came with the Steven Soderbergh drama Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989), for which he received the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor. He then starred in films such as White Palace (1990), True Colors (1991), Stargate (1994), 2 Days in the Valley (1996), and Secretary (2002). Spader took supporting roles in Bob Roberts (1992), Wolf (1994), Lincoln (2012), and The Homesman (2014). He also played the role of Ultron in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015).
His television roles include the attorney Alan Shore in the last season of The Practice (2003–2004) and its spin-off Boston Legal (2004–2008), which earned him three Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. He portrayed Robert California in the sitcom The Office (2011–2012). He then starred as Raymond Reddington in the NBC crime thriller series The Blacklist (2013–2023), for which he received two Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Actor – Television Series Drama.
Description above from the Wikipedia article James Spader, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Spader began acting in youth-oriented films such as Tuff Turf, The New Kids (both 1985), Pretty in Pink (1986), and Mannequin (1987). His breakthrough role came with the Steven Soderbergh drama Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989), for which he received the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor. He then starred in films such as White Palace (1990), True Colors (1991), Stargate (1994), 2 Days in the Valley (1996), and Secretary (2002). Spader took supporting roles in Bob Roberts (1992), Wolf (1994), Lincoln (2012), and The Homesman (2014). He also played the role of Ultron in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015).
His television roles include the attorney Alan Shore in the last season of The Practice (2003–2004) and its spin-off Boston Legal (2004–2008), which earned him three Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. He portrayed Robert California in the sitcom The Office (2011–2012). He then starred as Raymond Reddington in the NBC crime thriller series The Blacklist (2013–2023), for which he received two Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Actor – Television Series Drama.
Description above from the Wikipedia article James Spader, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Known For
Avengers: Age of Ultron
Ultron (voice)
The Office
Robert California
Lincoln
W.N. Bilbo
Stargate
Dr. Daniel Jackson
The Blacklist
Raymond 'Red' Reddington
Seinfeld
Jason 'Stanky' Hanky
Wall Street
Roger Barnes
Secretary
Mr. Grey
Full Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | BRATS MOVIE | Self (archive footage) (uncredited) |
| 2015 | Avengers: Age of Ultron MOVIE | Ultron (voice) |
| 2014 | The Homesman MOVIE | Aloysius Duffy |
| 2014 | Late Night with Seth Meyers TV | Self |
| 2014 | Late Night with Seth Meyers TV | Self - Guest |
| 2014 | The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon TV | Self |
| 2013 | The Blacklist TV | Raymond 'Red' Reddington |
| 2013 | The Frame TV | James Ballard |
| 2012 | Lincoln MOVIE | W.N. Bilbo |
| 2012 | Final Cut: Ladies and Gentlemen MOVIE | (archive footage) |