Brion James
ActingAbout Brion James
Brion Howard James (February 20, 1945 – August 7, 1999) was an American character actor. Known for playing the character of Leon Kowalski in the movie Blade Runner, James portrayed a variety of colorful roles in well-known American films such as 48 Hrs., Another 48 Hours, Tango & Cash, Silverado, Red Heat, The Player and The Fifth Element. James' commanding screen presence and formidable physique at 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) tall usually resulted in his casting as a heavy, appearing more frequently in lower budget horror and action films throughout the 1980s and 1990s. James appeared in more than 100 films before he died of a heart attack aged 54. Description above from the Wikipedia article Brion James, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Brion James reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Action
The majority of Brion James's filmography leans towards the Action 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 44% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Brion James remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Desperado: The Outlaw Wars, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Brion James Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Brion James's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Brion James.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | The King Is Alive | Ashley | Average | Similar → |
| 1999 | Malevolence | Warden Walker | Average | Similar → |
| 1998 | Deadly Ransom | Bobby Rico | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1998 | Jekyll Island | Lawton Goodyear | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1997 | The Fifth Element | General Munro | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1996 | American Strays | Oris | Average | Similar → |
| 1996 | Billy Lone Bear | - | Average | Similar → |
| 1995 | Nature of the Beast | Sheriff Gordon | Average | Similar → |
| 1995 | Sketch Artist II: Hands That See | Larry Walker | Average | Similar → |
| 1994 | Radioland Murders | Bernie King | Average | Similar → |
| 1994 | Scanner Cop | Dr. Hampton | Average | Similar → |
| 1993 | Precious Victims | Agent Jimmy Bivens | Hit | Similar → |
| 1993 | Striking Distance | Det. Eddie Eiler | Average | Similar → |
| 1993 | Showdown | Vice Principal Kowalski | Average | Similar → |
| 1992 | Nemesis | Maritz | Flop | Similar → |
| 1992 | The Player | Joel Levison | Hit | Similar → |
| 1990 | Another 48 Hrs. | Ben Kehoe | Average | Similar → |
| 1989 | Tango & Cash | Requin | Hit | Similar → |
| 1989 | Desperado: The Outlaw Wars | Roy Grimes | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1989 | Circles in a Forest | Mr. Patterson | Average | Similar → |
| 1988 | Red Scorpion | Krasnov | Average | Similar → |
| 1988 | Red Heat | Streak | Average | Similar → |
| 1988 | The Wrong Guys | Glen Grunski | Flop | Similar → |
| 1988 | D.O.A. | Detective Ulmer | Average | Similar → |
| 1987 | Cherry 2000 | Stacy | Average | Similar → |
| 1987 | Love Among Thieves | Andre | Average | Similar → |
| 1986 | Armed and Dangerous | Anthony Lazarus | Average | Similar → |
| 1986 | Amazing Stories | Willie Joe | Hit | Similar → |
| 1985 | Enemy Mine | Stubbs | Hit | Similar → |
| 1985 | Flesh + Blood | Karsthans | Hit | Similar → |
| 1985 | Silverado | Hobart | Hit | Similar → |
| 1985 | Crimewave | Arthur Coddish | Average | Similar → |
| 1984 | A Breed Apart | Peyton | Average | Similar → |
| 1983 | The Gambler: The Adventure Continues | Reece | Hit | Similar → |
| 1983 | The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez | Captain Rogers | Hit | Similar → |
| 1982 | 48 Hrs. | Ben Kehoe | Hit | Similar → |
| 1982 | Blade Runner | Leon | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1981 | Killing at Hell's Gate | Turkey Jones | Average | Similar → |
| 1981 | Southern Comfort | Trapper | Hit | Similar → |
| 1981 | The Postman Always Rings Twice | Crapshooter | Hit | Similar → |
| 1980 | Conquest of the Earth | Willy | Hit | Similar → |
| 1980 | The Jazz Singer | Man in Bar | Average | Similar → |
| 1978 | Corvette Summer | Wayne's Car Wash Henchman | Flop | Similar → |
| 1977 | Blue Sunshine | Tony | Average | Similar → |
| 1976 | Nickelodeon | Bailiff | Average | Similar → |
| 1976 | Bound for Glory | Pick Up Truck Driver at the Border | Hit | Similar → |
| 1976 | The Invasion of Johnson County | Ben Jones | Hit | Similar → |
| 1976 | Treasure of Matecumbe | Roustabout | Hit | Similar → |
| 1976 | Harry and Walter Go to New York | Hayseed | Average | Similar → |
| 1975 | Hard Times | Man (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
Brion James - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Brion James?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Brion James is "Desperado: The Outlaw Wars" with a rating of 9.5/10.
How many movies has Brion James acted in?
Brion James has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Brion James?
Other notable films include "Jekyll Island", "Deadly Ransom", and "Blade Runner".