Born: May 29, 1920 – Died: April 15, 2017
Clifton James, a remarkable character actor, carved a unique niche in the entertainment industry with his distinctive portrayal of fast-talking Southern characters. Best known for his role as Sheriff J.W. Pepper alongside Roger Moore in the James Bond films "Live and Let Die" (1973) and "The Man with the Golden Gun" (1974), James was actually born in Spokane, Washington, far from the Southern states he often represented on screen.
Early Life and Career
James' journey into acting began after his graduation from the Actors Studio. He initially made his mark with guest roles on various television series, showcasing his versatile acting skills. Despite his Northern origins, James adeptly adopted a Southern drawl that became a hallmark of his performances.
His first significant role came with his portrayal of the memorable Sheriff J.W. Pepper in the James Bond series. This role not only brought him international recognition but also set the tone for many of his future characters. James continued to impress with his dramatic performance in other notable projects and played another boisterous Sheriff in an action comedy film. His portrayal of Charles Comiskey in the dramatization of the 1919 Chicago White Sox scandal further solidified his position as a talented actor.
Throughout his career, James received acclaim for his ability to bring depth and humor to his roles. He was adept at playing both dramatic and comedic characters, making him a versatile and much-respected figure in Hollywood.
Off-screen, Clifton James led a personal life marked by his service in World War II, where he earned several decorations including the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and two Purple Hearts. His contributions to the industry went beyond acting, as he appeared in numerous TV commercials in the 1970s, further demonstrating his diverse talents.
James passed away at the age of 96 due to complications from diabetes. His long and successful career in film and television left an indelible mark on Hollywood. Clifton James is remembered as an iconic figure in the entertainment industry, celebrated for his unique ability to bring characters to life with authenticity and flair.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Raising Flagg | Ed McIvor |
| 2002 | Sunshine State | Buster Bidwell |
| 2000 | Interstate 84 | Buddy |
| 1996 | The Summer of Ben Tyler (TV Movie) | Chief Sam Thompkins |
| 1996 | All My Children (TV Series) | Red Kilgren (aka Kris Kringle) |
| 1996 | Lone Star | Hollis |
| 1994 | The Vernon Johns Story (TV Movie) | Judge Blake |
| 1991 | Carolina Skeletons (TV Movie) | Dexter Cody |
| 1991 | Gabriel's Fire (TV Series) | Jimmy Williams |
| 1991 | Monsters (TV Series) | Inspector |
| 1990 | The Bonfire of the Vanities | Albert Fox |
| 1990 | Night Court (TV Series) | Rev. Lester Sinclair |
| 1990 | Dallas (TV Series) | Duke Carlisle |
| 1989 | *She-Devil* | Bob's Father (uncredited) |
| 1989 | Walter & Carlo i Amerika | Tex |
| 1988 | Murder, She Wrote (TV Series) | Ray Dressler |
| 1988 | Eight Men Out | Charles Comiskey |
| 1987 | The Untouchables | District Attorney (uncredited) |
| 1986 | Whoops Apocalypse | Maxton S. Pluck |
| 1986 | Where Are the Children? | Chief Coffin |
| 1985 | Stiffs | Uncle Leo |
| 1984 | Highway to Heaven (TV Series) | Nick Claybourne |
| 1984 | Kidco | Orville Peterjohn |
| 1983 | The A-Team (TV Series) | Sheriff Jake Dawson | Warden Beale |
| 1979–1982 | Trapper John, M.D. (TV Series) | Lewis | Bobby Joe Brady |
| 1982 | The Fall Guy (TV Series) | Sheriff Taylor |
| 1982 | Talk to Me | State Trooper |
| 1981–1982 | Lewis & Clark (TV Series) | Silas Jones |
| 1981–1982 | Texas (TV Series) | Striker Bellman #2 |
| 1980 | Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut | Sheriff |
| 1980 | Superman II | Sheriff |
| 1980 | Quincy M.E. (TV Series) | Cliff Webb |
| 1980 | Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones (TV Movie) | Barber Charlie Amos |
| 1980 | The Contender (TV Mini Series) | Tompkins |
| 1980 | The Dukes of Hazzard (TV Series) | Sheriff Lester Crabb |
| 1980 | Cabo Blanco | Lorrimer |
| 1979 | Young Maverick (TV Series) | Judge Stebbins |
| 1979 | Undercover with the KKK (TV Movie) | Jimmy Eakin |
| 1979 | Hart to Hart (TV Series) | Highway Cop |
| 1979 | Supertrain (TV Series) | Sheriff Sam |
| 1977 | The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training | Sy Orlansky |
| 1977 | The November Plan (TV Movie) | Unknown |
| 1976 | *Silver Streak* | Sheriff Chauncey |
| 1976 | Captains and the Kings (TV Mini Series) | Gov. Skerritt |
| 1976 | City of Angels (TV Series) | Lt. Quint | Lt. Murray Quint |
| 1975 | Bons baisers de Hong-Kong | Bill |
| 1975 | The Deadly Tower (TV Movie) | Captain Fred Ambrose |
| 1975 | Friendly Persuasion (TV Movie) | Sam Jordan |
| 1975 | The Runaway Barge (TV Movie) | Sooey |
| 1975 | Rancho Deluxe | John Brown |
| 1974 | The Man with the Golden Gun | J.W. Pepper |
| 1974 | The Six Million Dollar Man (TV Series) | Walter 'Shadetree' Burns |
| 1974 | Juggernaut | Corrigan |
| 1974 | The Bank Shot | Streiger |
| 1974 | Buster and Billie | Jake |
| 1973 | The Laughing Policeman | Maloney |
| 1973 | The Last Detail | M.A.A. |
| 1973 | The Werewolf of Washington | Attorney General |
| 1973 | The Iceman Cometh | Pat McGloin |
| 1973 | Live and Let Die | Sheriff Pepper |
| 1973 | Kid Blue | Mr. Hendricks |
| 1972 | The New Centurions | Whitey |
| 1972 | Particular Men (TV Movie) | Boesch |
| 1972 | The Biscuit Eater | Mr. Eben |
| 1968–1971 | Bonanza (TV Series) | Mr. Quarry | Lawson |
| 1958–1970 | Gunsmoke (TV Series) | Sam Wickes | Tenner Jackson | Sam Hare ... |
| 1970 | WUSA | Speed - Sailor in Bar |
| 1970 | Tick, Tick, Tick | D.J. Rankin |
| 1969 | The Reivers | Butch Lovemaiden |
| 1969 | Ironside (TV Series) | Frank Bollo |
| 1968 | Mannix (TV Series) | Barney Ford, Police Chief |
| 1967 | Will Penny | Catron |
| 1967 | Cimarron Strip (TV Series) | Sheriff Jack Hawkes |
| 1967 | Cool Hand Luke | Carr |
| 1967 | The Caper of the Golden Bulls | Philippe |
| 1967 | The Happening | O'Reilly |
| 1966 | The Virginian (TV Series) | Big Ben Albright |
| 1966 | The Chase | Lem |
| 1965 | Slattery's People (TV Series) | Harry Means |
| 1964 | Invitation to a Gunfighter | Tuttle |
| 1964 | Black Like Me | Eli Carr |
| 1964 | Another World (TV Series) | Striker Bellman (1980) |
| 1963 | East Side/West Side (TV Series) | Dave Meltzer |
| 1963 | The Doctors and the Nurses (TV Series) | Lou Cutler |
| 1963 | Route 66 (TV Series) | George Simmons |
| 1962 | David and Lisa | John |
| 1962 | Experiment in Terror | Capt. Moreno |
| 1961 | Something Wild | Detective Bogart |
| 1961 | Cain's Hundred (TV Series) | Tom Larch |
| 1961 | Brenner (TV Series) | Mack the Dispatcher |
| 1961 | The Ed Sullivan Show (TV Series) | Ralph Follet |
| 1959–1960 | Naked City (TV Series) | Officer Fennelli | Jacoby | George Haskel |
| 1959 | The Last Mile | Harris |
| 1958 | Armchair Theatre (TV Series) | Blick |
| 1958 | Kraft Theatre (TV Series) | Jack Haines |
| 1957 | The Phil Silvers Show (TV Series) | State Trooper | Natiional Guard Sergeant |
| 1957 | Decoy (TV Series) | Patrolman Raymond |
| 1957 | The Strange One | Colonel Ramey |
| 1955 | Goodyear Playhouse (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1954 | The Secret Storm (TV Series) | Wes Glenway (Year Unknown) |
| 1953 | Rocky King, Detective (TV Series) | Unknown |
General:
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