Biography
James Luisi (1928–2002) was an American actor and former professional basketball player. Born in New York City, he attended St. Francis College on a basketball scholarship, served in the US Army during the Korean War, and played for the Baltimore Bullets before training at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
He began his acting career on Broadway in productions including Sweet Charity (1966) and Zorba. Luisi appeared in numerous television series, most notably as Lt. Doug Chapman in 23 episodes of The Rockford Files (1976–1980) and its later television films. He shared a Daytime Emmy Award in 1976 for portraying George Washington in the special First Ladies Diaries: Martha Washington (1975). Other credits include guest roles in Kojak, Starsky & Hutch, Wonder Woman, Knight Rider and The A-Team, as well as regular appearances in the soap operas Another World and Days of Our Lives.
