James Spader
5.5Acting

James Spader

Feb 7, 1960 - Boston, Massachusetts, USA

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.

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Credits

Cast

Media
Movie1996CrashJames Ballard
Movie1989sex, lies, and videotapeGraham Dalton
Movie1994StargateDr. Daniel Jackson
Movie1987MannequinMr. Richards
Movie1992Bob RobertsChuck Marlin
Movie2000SupernovaNick Vanzant
Movie2000The WatcherFBI Special Agent Joel Campbell
Movie1994WolfStewart Swinton
Movie2002SecretaryMr. Grey
Movie1986Pretty in PinkSteff McKee
Movie2003Alien HunterJulian Rome
Movie1990Bad InfluenceMichael Boll
Movie2009ShortsCarbon Black
Movie19962 Days in the ValleyLee Woods
Movie1991True ColorsTim Gerrity
Movie2003The Pentagon PapersDaniel Ellsberg
Movie1987Less Than ZeroRip
Movie1985Tuff TurfMorgan Hiller
Movie1990White PalaceMax Baron
Movie1989The Rachel PapersDeforest
Movie1988Jack's BackJohn Allen Wesford / Richard Wesford
Movie2002The StickupJohn Parker
Movie1997Critical CareDr. Werner Ernst
Movie2003I WitnessDouglas Draper
Movie2001Speaking of SexDr. Roger Klink
Movie1993The Music of ChanceJack Pozzi
Movie1994Dream LoverRay Reardon
Movie1998Curtain CallStevenson Lowe
Movie1983Cocaine: One Man's SeductionBuddy Gant
Movie1981Endless LoveKeith
Movie2004Shadow of FearWilliam Ashbury
Movie1985StarcrossedJoey Callaghan
Movie1985The New KidsEddie Dutra
Movie2012LincolnW.N. Bilbo
Movie2015Avengers: Age of UltronUltron (voice)
Movie1997DriftwoodThe Man
Movie1978Team-MatesJimmy
Movie1988Greasy LakeDigby
Movie1992StoryvilleCray Fowler
Movie2000Slow BurnMarcus
Movie1997Keys to TulsaRonnie Stover
Movie1983A Killer in the FamilyDonny Tison
Movie2012Final Cut: Ladies and Gentlemen(archive footage)
Movie1987Wall StreetRoger Barnes
Movie2014The HomesmanAloysius Duffy
Movie1987Baby BoomKen Arrenberg
Movie2024BRATSSelf (archive footage) (uncredited)
Movie1984Family SecretsLowell Everall
Movie1983DinerFenwick
Movie2006Discovery Atlas: China RevealedNarrator (voice)
TV Show2003The Ellen DeGeneres ShowSelf2
TV Show1989SeinfeldJason 'Stanky' Hanky1
TV Show1996The Daily ShowSelf2
TV Show1988LIVE with Kelly and Mark1
TV Show1997The ViewSelf5
TV Show1992The Tonight Show with Jay Leno1
TV Show1993FrasierSteven (voice)1
TV Show1997The PracticeAlan Shore22
TV Show1993Late Night with Conan O'BrienSelf - Guest4
TV Show2006Discovery Atlas11
TV Show2004Boston LegalAlan Shore101
TV Show2003Celebrities UncensoredSelf1
TV Show2005The Late Late Show with Craig FergusonSelf1
TV Show2013The BlacklistRaymond 'Red' Reddington218
TV Show1983The Family Tree6
TV Show2014The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonSelf5
TV Show2014Late Night with Seth MeyersSelf3
TV Show2005The Reichen ShowSelf - Guest1
TV Show2013The FrameJames Ballard1
TV Show2005The OfficeRobert California25
TV ShowN/AVisionQuestUltron (voice)4
TV Show1944Golden Globe AwardsSelf - Nominee1

Crew

Media
TV Show2013The BlacklistExecutive ProducerProduction
TV Show2013The BlacklistCo-Executive ProducerProduction