JAMES SPADER
Date of Birth: February 7, 1960
The descendent of a long line of teachers and professors, Bostonian James Spader first discovered acting while attending high school. After performing extensively in theatre in Massachusetts, Spader dropped out of Phillips Andover prep school in order to study acting at New York's Michael Chekhov school.
Until landing his first role in 1978's Team-Mates, James Spader supported himself by busing tables, shoveling manure, and teaching yoga. After a few
failed TV shows and movies, Spader finally broke into the
Hollywood scene with a role in John Hughes' Pretty in Pink (1986).
Although he found work in films including Mannequin, Less Than Zero, and
Baby Boom (all 1987), it wasn't until sex, lies, and videotape (1989) that he became a quasi-household name. His role as a dysfunctional filmmaker
established him as a versatile actor creating unforgettable, charismatic roles and won him the Best Actor prize at Cannes. Though he made some uneven
films in the late eighties, his roles in Stargate (1994), Wolf (1994), and 2 Days in the Valley (1996) garnered praise. His performances as a man struck with amnesia on an island with a single young woman resident in Driftwood (1996) and as a kinky thrill-seeker in Crash (1996), David Cronenberg's
controversial flick about the joys of automobile-erotic stimulation, only added a whole new disturbing dimension to his acting ability.
James Spader is divorced from set director Victoria Kheel. They have two children together, Sebastian and Elijah.
Filmography:
Shorts(2009)
Shadow of Fear (2004)
Alien Hunter (2003)
I Witness (2003)
Secretary(2002)
Speaking of Sex(2001)
The Stickup (2001)
Slow Burn(2000)
The Watcher(2000)
Supernova(2000)
Curtain Call(1999)
Critical Care (1997)
Keys to Tulsa (1997)
Driftwood (1996)
2 Days in the Valley (1996)
Crash(1996)
Dream Lover (1994)
Stargate (1994)
Wolf (1994)
The Music of Chance (1993)
Bob Roberts(1992)
Storyville (1992)
True Colors (1991)
White Palace (1990)
Bad Influence (1990)
sex, lies, and videotape (1989)
The Rachel Papers (1989)
Jack's Back (1988)
Less Than Zero (1987)
Wall Street(1987)
Baby Boom (1987)
Mannequin (1987)
Pretty in Pink(1986)
The New Kids (1985)
Tuff Turf (1985)
Endless Love (1981)
Team-Mates (1978)