James' father, Grover Dale, has been nominated for a Broadway's Tony Award twice in his career. In 1970 as Best Choreographer for Billy, and in 1975 as Best Director for The Magic Show.
James has appeared on all three CSI shows. On CSI: Crime Scene Investigation he played Adam Trent, a man in a mental hospital. He was also in both CSI: Miami and CSI: NY as part of a special crossover double parter, playing the murderous Henry Darius.
James Badge Dale(on auditioning for 24): When the first audition came by, I read it and I knew it was a very good show. But when I read it, I just thought, I'm too young for this, I'm not right for this, they're not going to cast me, they're going to go for something different.
James Badge Dale: I worked off and on in construction for six years, I was doing other things intermittently in between that. I went to college for a while, I played hockey for a while. I was never a—I guess most actors work in restaurants or bars and I'm just not built that way—I don't know, construction was fun for me. I'm not good at it, I'm horrible, but there's a romanticism about it when you're standing on top of a building and the sun is shining and you feel good at the end of the day.
James Badge Dale(on 24): It's a nine-month run. You've got to be ready to show up for nine months and come to work. It's taught me a lot; as a person and as an actor about responsibility, suiting up and showing up and being ready.
James Badge Dale(on 24): I think what I've found with this show is that the fan base is very loyal, and the people who watch it really love it. I know that they're the reason I'm here, they're the reason I'm working today. It's kind of a symbiotic thing, like, we're all helping each other out here.
James Badge Dale(on Kiefer Sutherland): I was really excited to come in and learn from him. He's a very good actor. He's been around for a long time, and I've learned a lot from him artistically. The craft of it. Professional things also. He's been great to me, he lets me do what I need to do. He's worked with me on what works and what doesn't work.