
Hawthorne James
ActingAbout Hawthorne James
Hawthorne James is an American actor and director, best known for his role as Big Red Davis in the 1991 film The Five Heartbeats. He is also known for his role as Sam, the injured bus driver, in Speed (1994 film). James was born James Hawthorne in Chicago, Illinois, the son of A.M. Alene and Robert Hawthorne.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Hawthorne James reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 32 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Drama
The majority of Hawthorne 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 22% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Hawthorne James remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Se7en, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Hawthorne James Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Hawthorne James's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Hawthorne James.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | In the Matchbox | Uncle Wendell | Flop | Similar → |
| 2021 | Flint Tale | - | Flop | Similar → |
| 2018 | Dirty Dead Con Men | Art McCoy | Flop | Similar → |
| 2016 | Blues for Life | Plank Road Slim | Flop | Similar → |
| 2016 | The Night Stalker | Harrison Johnson | Hit | Similar → |
| 2015 | Lucky Girl | Reverend Thompson | Flop | Similar → |
| 2013 | A Christmas Wedding | Arthur | Flop | Similar → |
| 2006 | Snoop Dogg's Hood of Horror | Llore | Flop | Similar → |
| 2006 | The System Within | Hays | Flop | Similar → |
| 2005 | Today You Die | Derrick | Flop | Similar → |
| 2005 | Boss'n Up | Orange Juice | Flop | Similar → |
| 2000 | Auggie Rose | MacDougall | Average | Similar → |
| 1999 | The Art of a Bullet | Walter Simmons | Flop | Similar → |
| 1997 | Amistad | Creole Cook | Hit | Similar → |
| 1997 | Campfire Tales | Cole (segment "The Honeymoon") | Average | Similar → |
| 1996 | Heaven's Prisoners | Victor Romero | Flop | Similar → |
| 1995 | Se7en | George the Night Guard at the Library | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1994 | Speed | Sam | Hit | Similar → |
| 1994 | Caroline at Midnight | Stan Donovan | Flop | Similar → |
| 1992 | The Habitation of Dragons | Lonny Johnson | Average | Similar → |
| 1992 | The Water Engine | Factory Worker | Flop | Similar → |
| 1991 | The Five Heartbeats | Big Red | Hit | Similar → |
| 1991 | The Doors | Chuck Vincent | Hit | Similar → |
| 1990 | Demon Cop | Police in Warehouse | Flop | Similar → |
| 1988 | I'm Gonna Git You Sucka | One Eyed Sam | Average | Similar → |
| 1988 | Patty Hearst | Tall Muslim | Average | Similar → |
| 1987 | Police Story: The Freeway Killings | Reverend Johnson | Flop | Similar → |
| 1986 | Ricky 1 | The Champ (Silver Shadow) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1985 | The Color Purple | Jook Joint Patron | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1982 | Penitentiary II | Referee | Flop | Similar → |
| 1979 | Disco Godfather | Stinger Ray | Flop | Similar → |
| N/A | Othello | Iago | Flop | Similar → |
Hawthorne James - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Hawthorne James?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Hawthorne James is "Se7en" with a rating of 8.4/10.
How many movies has Hawthorne James acted in?
Hawthorne James has been featured in at least 32 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Hawthorne James?
Other notable films include "The Color Purple", "The Five Heartbeats", and "Speed".




