John James - Actor Profile

John James

Acting
Freshness: Feb 24, 2026
15Total Films
7.4 Highest Rated
Born: Apr 18, 1956
Birth Place: Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

About John James

John James Anderson is an American actor and producer best known to television audiences for playing the character of Jeff Colby in both the prime-time soap opera Dynasty and its spin-off series The Colbys throughout the 1980s. James is a veteran of daytime soaps, first appearing in Search for Tomorrow in the late 1970s. In 1981, he won the role of Jeff Colby in Dynasty, appearing in the very first episode, "Oil", and remaining on the soap opera until the final episode, Catch 22 in 1989. James played the same role in The Colbys between 1985 and 1987, and one last time in the 1991 TV movie, Dynasty: The Reunion. James was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for his role in Dynasty in 1985 and appeared at the 1986 ceremony. The Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film went to Edward James Olmos. James returned to the genre playing Rick Decker on As the World Turns in 2003–04. In May 2006, he was cast in the role of Dr. Jeff Martin (the first husband of Erica Kane played by series star Susan Lucci) on the ABC daytime soap opera All My Children. He began airing the following month. On July 15, 2008, James returned to As the World Turns, reprising the role of demented Dr. Rick Decker. In film, James starred in Icebreaker with Sean Astin, Bruce Campbell, and Stacy Keach; in The Cursed aka Peril with Morgan Fairchild and Michael Pare; in Lightning: Fire from the Sky with Jesse Eisenberg, Stacy Keach and John Schneider and in Chronology with William Baldwin and Danny Trejo. He produced and starred in Illegal Aliens. All four movies were directed by David Giancola. In 2012, James starred in the Giancola documentary, Addicted to Fame (2012), about the making of their film Illegal Aliens. Currently, James is producing and starring in another Giancola's film, the sci-fi action adventure, Axcellerator. This film reunites him with The Colbys co-star Maxwell Caulfield while James' daughter Laura plays one of the roles.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of John James reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 15 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Drama

The majority of John James's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 7% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), John James remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Atatürk 1881 - 1919, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best John James Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from John James's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of John James.

John James - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of John James?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring John James is "Atatürk 1881 - 1919" with a rating of 7.4/10.

How many movies has John James acted in?

John James has been featured in at least 15 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by John James?

Other notable films include "Perry Mason: The Case of the Ruthless Reporter", "Axcellerator", and "Christmas Camp".