---
name: "James Fox"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/james-fox"
fi1m_id: "james-fox"
imdb_id: "nm0289038"
tmdb_id: 1292
wikidata_id: "Q310012"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "19 May 1939"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 17
average_fi1m_score: 74
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 17
updated: "2026-10-07T16:41:55.363848+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# James Fox

## Identity

James Fox

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/james-fox
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** james-fox
- **IMDb ID:** nm0289038
- **TMDB ID:** 1292
- **Wikidata ID:** Q310012
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Fox, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q310012, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0289038/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1292

Actor. Born 19 May 1939 in London, England, UK.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 19 May 1939, London, England, UK
- **Active:** 1963–2015
- **Also known as:**  William Fox , Джеймс Фокс, جیمز فاکس, James William Fox
- **Frequently works with:** [Hugh Grant](https://film.one/person/hugh-grant.md), [Peggy Ashcroft](https://film.one/person/peggy-ashcroft.md)
- **BAFTA Film Awards:** 1 BAFTA (1 won)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 74, as actor, over 17 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1960s 89 (1), 1970s 81 (1), 1980s 71 (3), 1990s 72 (5), 2000s 74 (4), 2010s 75 (3)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 75 to 72 across 12 titles
- **Score spread:** 6 at 80+, 11 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 3 of 14 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 14, Crime 5, Adventure 4, Comedy 3, Action 2, Action & Adventure 2
- **Screen time:** 23 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,340m across 7 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Fox, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q310012, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0289038/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1292

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The Servant*](https://film.one/film/the-servant.md) (89), [*A Passage to India*](https://film.one/film/a-passage-to-india.md) (71), [*Mickey Blue Eyes*](https://film.one/film/mickey-blue-eyes.md) (66)
- **Disney+:** [*The Remains of the Day*](https://film.one/film/the-remains-of-the-day.md) (88)
- **Pluto TV:** [*The Great Train Robbery*](https://film.one/tv/the-great-train-robbery-2013.md) (73)
- **Peacock:** [*Gulliver's Travels*](https://film.one/tv/gullivers-travels.md) (73)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes*](https://film.one/film/greystoke-the-legend-of-tarzan-lord-of-the-apes.md) (65)
- **Apple TV:** [*Charlie and the Chocolate Factory*](https://film.one/film/charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory.md) (64)
- **Hulu:** [*Patriot Games*](https://film.one/film/patriot-games.md) (61)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on James Fox

> James Fox is persuasive as men whose social position has spared them awkward questions. We rate him most when a film tests their judgement, though repeated upper-class casting can make his work seem narrower than it is.

Lord Darlington's authority in *The Remains of the Day* (1993) is easy to accept, which is part of the trouble. James Fox makes him seem at home in a society whose rules have gone largely unquestioned. We rate this supporting performance highly because he helps us understand why those rules hold. A plainly ridiculous aristocrat would give the film much less to work with.

The association with such men goes back to Tony, his breakthrough leading role in *The Servant* (1963). *Performance* (1970), with Fox as Chas Devlin opposite Mick Jagger, is the necessary reminder that his early work also included more intense parts. After a break from acting, he returned as a character actor, often playing upper-class or authoritative men. His Cyril Fielding in *A Passage to India* (1984) belongs to that return. By Darlington, the resemblance to his earlier aristocratic casting has become something a film can put to use.

James Ivory gets particular value from that familiarity in *The Remains of the Day*. Jhabvala's screenplay questions the rules these people accept without stopping every conversation to explain the objection, and Fox gives those exchanges a credible figure of authority. We were unsettled because he made deference to Darlington look so reasonable. Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson carry the painful romance, but Fox helps make the social order behind it credible. His contribution needs that patient writing; casting him is not enough on its own.

There is a risk of predictability in returning so often to patricians. A film can rely on his assurance and forget to give him much else to play. Harry, his gangster role in *Sexy Beast* (2000), is a useful reminder to look beyond the establishment casting. We would rather see a director test that composure than use it merely to establish who matters in a room. Start with *The Remains of the Day*, and notice how much depends on finding Darlington plausible.

## Biography

James Fox (born William Fox, 19 May 1939) is an English actor. He is a member of the Fox family of actors and trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London.

Fox began his career in the 1960s with leading roles in films including *The Servant* (1963), for which he won a BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles, *Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines* (1965), *Thoroughly Modern Millie* (1967) and *Performance* (1970). He took a break from acting in the 1970s to pursue evangelical Christian work before returning in the early 1980s.

His later credits include *A Passage to India* (1984), *Patriot Games* (1992), *The Remains of the Day* (1993) as Lord Darlington, *Sexy Beast* (2001), *Charlie and the Chocolate Factory* (2005) and *Sherlock Holmes* (2009).

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (17)

- *London Spy* (2015), Fi1m 70, as James — [page](https://film.one/tv/london-spy.md)
- *The Great Train Robbery* (2013), Fi1m 73, as Henry Brooke, Home Secretary — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-great-train-robbery-2013.md)
- *Utopia* (2013), Fi1m 83, as The Assistant — [page](https://film.one/tv/utopia.md)
- *Red Riding* (2009), Fi1m 80, Actor — [page](https://film.one/tv/red-riding.md)
- *Sherlock Holmes* (2009), Fi1m 65, as Sir Thomas Rotheram — [page](https://film.one/film/sherlock-holmes.md)
- *Charlie and the Chocolate Factory* (2005), Fi1m 64, as Mr. Salt — [page](https://film.one/film/charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory.md)
- *Sexy Beast* (2001), Fi1m 85, as Harry — [page](https://film.one/film/sexy-beast.md)
- *Mickey Blue Eyes* (1999), Fi1m 66, as Philip Cromwell — [page](https://film.one/film/mickey-blue-eyes.md)
- *Gulliver's Travels* (1996), Fi1m 73, as Dr. Bates — [page](https://film.one/tv/gullivers-travels.md)
- *The Remains of the Day* (1993), Fi1m 88, as Lord Darlington — [page](https://film.one/film/the-remains-of-the-day.md)
- *Patriot Games* (1992), Fi1m 61, as Lord William Holmes — [page](https://film.one/film/patriot-games.md)
- *A Question of Attribution* (1991), Fi1m 74, as Sir Anthony Blunt — [page](https://film.one/film/a-question-of-attribution.md)
- *She's Been Away* (1989), Fi1m 76, as Hugh Ambrose — [page](https://film.one/film/shes-been-away.md)
- *A Passage to India* (1984), Fi1m 71, as Richard Fielding — [page](https://film.one/film/a-passage-to-india.md)
- *Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes* (1984), Fi1m 65, as Lord Charles Esker — [page](https://film.one/film/greystoke-the-legend-of-tarzan-lord-of-the-apes.md)
- *Performance.* (1970), Fi1m 81, as Chas — [page](https://film.one/film/performance.md)
- *The Servant* (1963), Fi1m 89, as Tony — [page](https://film.one/film/the-servant.md)

## Complete filmography (109)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *The Souvenir: Part II* (2021), as Narrator Patrick's Musical
- *Surviving Christmas with the Relatives* (2018), as Uncle John
- *London Spy* (2015), series, as James — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/tv/london-spy.md)
- *1864* (2014), series, as Lord Palmerton
- *Unknown Heart* (2014), as Ludlow
- *The Double* (2014), as The Colonel
- *Effie Gray* (2014), as Sir Charles Eastlake
- *The Great Train Robbery* (2013), series, as Henry Brooke, Home Secretary — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-great-train-robbery-2013.md)
- *A Long Way From Home* (2013), as Joseph
- *Utopia* (2013), series, as The Assistant — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/utopia.md)
- *All at Sea* (2012), as George
- *Cleanskin* (2012), as Scott Catesby
- *Death in Paradise* (2011), series, as Martin Goodman QC (voice) (uncredited), Martin Goodman QC
- *W.E.* (2011), as King George V
- *The Kid* (2010), as Alan
- *Sherlock Holmes* (2009), as Sir Thomas Rotheram — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/film/sherlock-holmes.md)
- *Bunny and the Bull* (2009), as Narrator
- *Red Riding: The Year of Our Lord 1980* (2009), as Philip Evans
- *Margaret* (2009), as Charles Powell
- *Red Riding* (2009), series, Actor — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/red-riding.md)
- *Merlin* (2008), series, as King Rodor
- *Mister Lonely* (2008), as The Pope
- *Celebration* (2007), as Richard
- *Lewis* (2007), series, as Professor Norman Deering
- *Goodbye Mr Snuggles* (2006), as Mr. Tomly
- *Charlie and the Chocolate Factory* (2005), as Mr. Salt — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory.md)
- *Colditz* (2005), series, as Lt. Colonel Fordham
- *Colditz* (2005), as Lt. Colonel Fordham
- *Agatha Christie's Marple* (2004), series, as Colonel Arthur Bantry
- *The Prince & Me* (2004), as King Haraald
- *New Tricks* (2004), series, Actor
- *Cambridge Spies* (2003), series, as Lord Halifax
- *Doctor Who: Shada* (2003), as Professor Chronotis (voice)
- *Hans Christian Andersen: My Life as a Fairytale* (2002), series, as Jonas Collin
- *Hideous Man* (2002), Actor
- *The Falklands Play* (2002), as Rt Hon Peter, 6th Baron Carrington KCMG MC (Foreign Secretary)
- *The Lost World* (2001), as Prof. Summerlee
- *The Lost World* (2001), series, as Professor Summerlee
- *The Mystic Masseur* (2001), as Mr. Stewart
- *All Forgotten* (2001), as Old Vladimir (voice)
- *Waking the Dead* (2001), series, as Dr Bruno Rivelli
- *Sexy Beast* (2001), as Harry — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/sexy-beast.md)
- *The Golden Bowl* (2000), as Colonel Bob Assingham
- *Metropolis* (2000), series, as Milton Friedkin
- *Up at the Villa* (2000), as Sir Edgar Swift
- *Mickey Blue Eyes* (1999), as Philip Cromwell — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/mickey-blue-eyes.md)
- *Jinnah* (1998), as Mountbatten
- *Kings in Grass Castles* (1998), series, as Longman
- *Shadow Run* (1998), as Landon-Higgins
- *Never Ever* (1997), as Arthur Trevane
- *Anna Karenina* (1997), as Karenin
- *Midsomer Murders* (1997), series, as Sir Michael Fielding — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/midsomer-murders.md)
- *Gulliver's Travels* (1996), series, as Dr. Bates — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/gullivers-travels.md)
- *The Old Curiosity Shop* (1995), as Single Gentleman
- *The Choir* (1995), series, as Hugh Cavendish
- *Doomsday Gun* (1994), as Sir James Whittington
- *The Dwelling Place* (1994), series, as Lord Fischel
- *Heart of Darkness* (1994), as Gosse
- *Headhunters* (1994), series, as Simon Hall
- *The Remains of the Day* (1993), as Lord Darlington — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/the-remains-of-the-day.md)
- *As You Like It* (1992), as Jaques
- *Patriot Games* (1992), as Lord William Holmes — Fi1m 61, [page](https://film.one/film/patriot-games.md)
- *Hostage* (1992), as Hugo Paynter
- *A Question of Attribution* (1991), as Sir Anthony Blunt — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/a-question-of-attribution.md)
- *Afraid of the Dark* (1991), as Frank
- *A Perfect Hero* (1991), series, as Angus Meikle
- *The Russia House* (1990), as Ned
- *Never Come Back* (1990), series, as Foster
- *Chillers* (1990), series, as Skipperton
- *Screen One* (1989), series, as Sir Anthony Blunt
- *She's Been Away* (1989), as Hugh Ambrose — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/shes-been-away.md)
- *Farewell to the King* (1989), as Col. Ferguson
- *These Foolish Things* (1989), as Nick Verney
- *The Mighty Quinn* (1989), as Thomas Elgin
- *Agatha Christie's Poirot* (1989), series, as Colonel Race — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/agatha-christies-poirot.md)
- *Boys in the Island* (1989), as George Farrell
- *Sun Child* (1988), Actor
- *Beryl Markham: A Shadow on the Sun* (1988), as Mansfield Markham
- *The Play on One* (1988), series, as Nick Verney
- *High Season* (1987), as Patrick
- *Comrades* (1987), as William Norfolk, Governor of New South Wales
- *The Whistle Blower* (1986), as Lord
- *Absolute Beginners* (1986), as Henley of Mayfair, Dressmaker to the Queen
- *A Passage to India* (1984), as Richard Fielding — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/a-passage-to-india.md)
- *Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes* (1984), as Lord Charles Esker — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/film/greystoke-the-legend-of-tarzan-lord-of-the-apes.md)
- *The Road to 1984* (1984), as Eric Blair/George Orwell/Winston Smith
- *Runners* (1983), as Tom Lindsay
- *Anna Pavlova* (1983), as Victor d'André
- *Anna Pavlova* (1983), series, as Victor Dandré(as Dzheims Foks)
- *Love Is Old, Love Is New* (1982), series, as Martyn
- *Nancy Astor* (1982), series, as Waldorf Astor
- *Country* (1981), as Philip Carlion
- *No Longer Alone* (1978), as Alan Richards
- *Play for Today* (1970), series, Actor
- *Performance.* (1970), as Chas — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/performance.md)
- *Duffy* (1968), as Stefane Calvert
- *Isadora* (1968), as Gordon Craig
- *Arabella* (1967), as Giorgio
- *Thoroughly Modern Millie* (1967), as Jimmy Smith
- *The Chase* (1966), as Jason 'Jake' Rogers
- *King Rat* (1965), as Peter Marlowe
- *Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines or How I Flew from London to Paris in 25 Hours 11 Minutes* (1965), as Richard Mays
- *The Servant* (1963), as Tony — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/film/the-servant.md)
- *Espionage* (1963), series, as Paul
- *Tamahine* (1963), as Oliver
- *The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner* (1962), as Willy Gunthorpe - Ranley School Runner (uncredited)
- *One Wild Oat* (1951), as Porter
- *The Miniver Story* (1950), as Toby Miniver
- *The Magnet* (1950), as Johnny Brent

## Gallery

- ![James Fox](https://film.one/media/person/82539/gallery-b77271e4f4a1.png) James Fox — Dublin Film Festival, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dd/James_Fox_2014.png?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![James Fox](https://film.one/media/person/82539/gallery-5340ca3fc373.jpg) James Fox — Image via TMDB
- ![James Fox](https://film.one/media/person/82539/gallery-1441f12f27d1.jpg) James Fox — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### BAFTA Film Awards — 1 won

- 1964: Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles (won), for *The Servant*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/james-fox