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James Spader
★ Acting

James Spader

Born 1960 · Boston, Massachusetts, USA · Active 1944–2026

James Spader, born in 1960, emerged from the vibrant 1980s independent film scene, making a significant mark in cult cinema. He plays the morally ambiguous lead in Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989), a role that solidified his reputation for portraying eccentric characters. Spader's early work in Tuff Turf (1985) and The New Kids (1985) reflects his ability to navigate youth-oriented narratives while hinting at deeper psychological themes. His contributions to films like Bad Influence (1990) and Jack's Back (1988) further establish him as a key figure in the exploration of complex human relationships within the genre.

▶ Watch on SassyFlix 6 films available
Jack's Back

Jack's Back

1988 ★ 5.5
as John Allen Wesford / Richard Wesford

A young doctor is suspected when a series of Jack the Ripper copycat killings is committed. However, when the doctor himself is murdered, his identical twin brother claims to have seen visions of the true killer.

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Career Highlights Top 6 by popularity · TMDB

Filmography

78 credits
2020s 2 credits
2026
VisionQuest as Ultron
TV
2024
BRATS as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Movie ★ 6.0
2010s 11 credits
2015
Avengers: Age of Ultron as Ultron (voice)
Movie ★ 7.3
2014
The Homesman as Aloysius Duffy
Movie ★ 6.5
2014
Life Itself as Self - Actor (archive footage)
Movie ★ 7.5
2014
TV ★ 5.2
2014
TV ★ 5.2
2013
The Blacklist as Raymond 'Red' Reddington
TV ★ 7.6
2013
The Frame as James Ballard
TV ★ 10.0
2012
Lincoln as W.N. Bilbo
Movie ★ 6.8
2012
Movie ★ 7.6
2000s 20 credits
2009
Shorts as Carbon Black
Movie ★ 5.9
2009
TV ★ 7.1
2006
Movie
2006
TV ★ 6.0
2005
The Reichen Show as Self - Guest
TV ★ 4.8
2005
The Office as Robert California
TV ★ 8.6
2004
Shadow of Fear as William Ashbury
Movie ★ 5.4
2004
Boston Legal as Alan Shore
TV ★ 7.9
2003
Alien Hunter as Julian Rome
Movie ★ 5.1
2003
The Pentagon Papers as Daniel Ellsberg
Movie ★ 5.8
2003
I Witness as Douglas Draper
Movie ★ 5.5
2003
TV ★ 5.6
2003
TV ★ 4.8
2002
Secretary as Mr. Grey
Movie ★ 6.8
2002
The Stickup as John Parker
Movie ★ 6.3
2001
Speaking of Sex as Dr. Roger Klink
Movie ★ 5.5
2000
Supernova as Nick Vanzant
Movie ★ 4.9
2000
The Watcher as FBI Special Agent Joel Campbell
Movie ★ 5.1
2000
Slow Burn as Marcus
Movie ★ 4.4
1990s 21 credits
1998
Curtain Call as Stevenson Lowe
Movie ★ 5.1
1997
Critical Care as Dr. Werner Ernst
Movie ★ 6.4
1997
Driftwood as The Man
Movie ★ 5.8
1997
Keys to Tulsa as Ronnie Stover
Movie ★ 4.9
1997
The View as Self
TV ★ 4.4
1997
The Practice as Alan Shore
TV ★ 7.7
1996
Crash as James Ballard
Movie ★ 6.5
1996
Movie ★ 6.2
1996
The Daily Show as Self - Guest
TV ★ 6.4
1994
Stargate as Dr. Daniel Jackson
Movie ★ 7.0
1994
Wolf as Stewart Swinton
Movie ★ 6.1
1994
Dream Lover as Ray Reardon
Movie ★ 6.5
1993
The Music of Chance as Jack Pozzi
Movie ★ 6.5
1993
Frasier as Steven (voice)
TV ★ 7.7
1993
TV ★ 7.3
1992
Bob Roberts as Chuck Marlin
Movie ★ 6.5
1992
Storyville as Cray Fowler
Movie ★ 5.3
1992
TV ★ 5.4
1991
True Colors as Tim Gerrity
Movie ★ 6.2
1990
Bad Influence as Michael Boll
Movie ★ 6.0
1990
White Palace as Max Baron
Movie ★ 6.5
1980s 20 credits
1989
Movie ★ 6.9
1989
Movie ★ 5.1
1989
Seinfeld as Jason 'Stanky' Hanky
TV ★ 8.3
1988
Jack's Back as John Allen Wesford / Richard Wesford
Movie ★ 5.4
1988
Greasy Lake as Digby
Movie ★ 4.2
1987
Mannequin as Mr. Richards
Movie ★ 6.9
1987
Movie ★ 6.4
1987
Wall Street as Roger Barnes
Movie ★ 7.2
1987
Baby Boom as Ken Arrenberg
Movie ★ 6.4
1986
Pretty in Pink as Steff McKee
Movie ★ 6.7
1985
Tuff Turf as Morgan Hiller
Movie ★ 6.0
1985
Starcrossed as Joey Callaghan
Movie ★ 5.1
1985
The New Kids as Eddie Dutra
Movie ★ 6.4
1984
Family Secrets as Lowell Everall
Movie ★ 4.5
1983
Movie ★ 7.0
1983
Movie ★ 6.5
1983
Diner as Fenwick
Movie ★ 7.3
1983
TV ★ 7.5
1981
Movie ★ 5.7
1970s 1 credit
1978
Team-Mates as Jimmy
Movie ★ 4.5
1940s 1 credit
1944
Golden Globe Awards as Self - Nominee
TV ★ 7.2
Crew Credits
2010s 2 credits
2013
The Blacklist Executive Producer
TV ★ 7.6
2013
The Blacklist Co-Executive Producer
TV ★ 7.6