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James Spader

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9.5 Superb
292 votes

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Biography

Recent Role:
Robert California on The Office
Gender:
Male
Born:
2-7-1960
Birthplace:
Boston, Massachusetts
Birth Name:
James Todd Spader
AKA:
Jimmy Spader
James Todd Spader was born on February 7, 1960 in Boston, Massachusetts. Both of his parents, Todd and Jean, were teachers. Initially, James attended high school at The Pike School in Andover, Massachusetts but transferred to Phillips Academy. He dropped out of Phillips Academy in the eleventh grade and moved to New York City to pursue an acting career. He had a variety of jobs before he became an actor. Some of those include being a bus boy, shoveling manure, and teaching Yoga.

His first role in a major motion picture was in the 1986 film,
More href="http://www.movietome.com/movie/275980/pretty-in-pink/index.html">Pretty in Pink and it was a catalyst for his career. He became more successful in the film industry after starring in several of 'The Brat Pack' films as a bad guy during the 1980's. However, he is most well know for playing eccentric characters in films such as Sex, Lies, and Videotape, Stargate, and Secretary.

His most recent role is that of the quirky lawyer, Alan Shore, in David E. Kelly's television series entitled Boston Legal. He played the same role in The Practice which was also created by David E. Kelly. James won an Emmy for his performance as Alan Shore in both series. He is one of two actors to win two Emmys consecutively for the same role but in two different series. The awards he's won include 3 Emmy Awards for his role as Alan Shore. He won the first one in 2004 for playing the role on The Practice. He won the second in 2005 and the third one in 2007 for playing the role on Boston Legal. He also won a Best Actor Award at the Cannes Film Festival for his role in Sex, Lies, and Videotape.

James met Victoria Kheel on the set of Sex, Lies, and Videotape, where she was a set designer, and they were married in 1989. They have two sons whose names are Sebastian and Elijah. In 2005, he filed for divorce.

He is acclaimed as one of the most talented and versatile actors of his generation. He has appeared in over 43 motion pictures and continues to work in both film and television.

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    10 Perfect
    Great Job to all the cast and writers! GREAT WRITERS I APPLAUD THEM! hide show

    I normally don't watch T.V, We have cable for my children being a single mom there is so much for me to do that t.v hasn't been near my list, I began to use my DVR to record all the shows and I LOVE IT! I was sad to hear they cancelled it.Great Job James! The relationship he and "Denny Crane" have is one anyone would embrace and want in thier own life I have enjoyed every episode I have watched since I have utilized my DVR and I have watched 3 qtrs of all the episodes and I applaud your acting!

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    9.5 Superb
    We're sure going to miss these guys! hide show

    Seeing the best show on TV end has been sad for us. We understand the desire to "go out on top" but now what can we watch that will give us the same kind of enjoyment? David Kelley has given us another gem in TV history. James Spader and William Shatner and their supporting cast will never be replaced and we can only hope they'll resurface on new shows. There won't be any that will top Boston Legal, but we'll at least see some of the best talent still. GOod luck to them all and "Job Well Done"!

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    9 Superb
    empty hide show

    Spader Does an great job as Alan Shore and Boston legel and did a great job as the first DR. Jackson in Stargate A+ actor

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    8.2 Great
    Let's go back to the way he was hide show

    The character Alan Shore is always entertaining but I long for the Alan Shore pulled so many funny stunts. I liked the man who hired hookers to sleep with a defendant so you get blackmail him later. Or the man that handed out $100 bills to guys to join in a bar room brawl.
    The current Alan Shore is becoming a little less "wild" and thus, to those who remember him from The Practice, becomes a little less entertaining.
    Don't get me wrong, I still watch the show every week and the writers still give him some of the funniest lines of the show each week. I just remember when....

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    10 Perfect
    James Spader is absolutely amazing! He deserves so much more recognition that he gets now. hide show

    James Spader is probably one of my favorite actors on television today.

    From the first time I saw him in films such as Rip in Less Than Zero, to Lee Woods in 2 Days in the Valley, to the oh-so-sadomasochistic E. Edward Grey in Secretary, and then on television as the character-of-all-characters, Alan Shore first on The Practice and now on Boston Legal... He has been simply amazing! The way Alan Shore and William Shatner's Denny Crane character interact together is brilliant.

    I feel that James has been so underrated in his career. Plus, the fact that he does not feel he has to prove himself is commendable.

    I hope he has a very long and prosperous career.

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