---
name: "James Ritz"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/james-ritz"
fi1m_id: "james-ritz"
imdb_id: "nm0728872"
tmdb_id: 129466
roles: []
reviewed_on_fi1m: 4
average_fi1m_score: 74
average_over: 4
updated: "2026-09-26T00:36:26.059483+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 Ritz

## Identity

James Ritz

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/james-ritz
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** james-ritz
- **IMDb ID:** nm0728872
- **TMDB ID:** 129466
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0728872/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/129466

Actor.

## Details

- **Active:** 1979–2008
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 77 (1), 1990s 84 (1), 2000s 68 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 73 to 64 across 3 titles
- **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 1 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 1 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 2, Drama 2, History 2, Family 1, Fantasy 1
- **Screen time:** 8 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $729m across 4 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0728872/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/129466

## Biography

James Ritz is an American actor known for small roles in feature films and television. His early screen credit came in Albert Brooks's mockumentary *Real Life* (1979), in which he appeared as Jack from Cincinnati.

He has since played supporting parts in several high-profile productions, including *Splash* (1984), *Cocoon* (1985), *Apollo 13* (1995), *Ransom* (1996), *EDtv* (1999), *How the Grinch Stole Christmas* (2000), *Cinderella Man* (2005), *Frost/Nixon* (2008) and *Angels & Demons* (2009). Ritz has also worked in additional voices, notably on *Solo: A Star Wars Story* (2018), and has appeared in episodes of series such as *ER*, *Scrubs* and *Drop Dead Diva*.

*Sources: imdb.com, watch.plex.tv, pro.imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (4)

- *Frost/Nixon* (2008), Fi1m 81, as Smith House Reporter — [page](https://film.one/film/frost-nixon.md)
- *How the Grinch Stole Christmas* (2000), Fi1m 54, as Crazy Mose — [page](https://film.one/film/how-the-grinch-stole-christmas.md)
- *Apollo 13* (1995), Fi1m 84, as Ted — [page](https://film.one/film/apollo-13.md)
- *Real Life* (1979), Fi1m 77, as Jack from Cincinnati — [page](https://film.one/film/real-life.md)

## Complete filmography (21)

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

- *Angels & Demons* (2009), as Tourist
- *Frost/Nixon* (2008), as Smith House Reporter — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/frost-nixon.md)
- *Brothers and Sisters* (2006), series, as Wallace
- *Close to Home* (2005), series, as Jury Foreman
- *Cinderella Man* (2005), as Official (Griffin / Baer Fight)
- *Scrubs* (2001), series, as Mr. Hicks
- *How the Grinch Stole Christmas* (2000), as Crazy Mose — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/how-the-grinch-stole-christmas.md)
- *EDtv* (1999), as Tad
- *Ransom* (1996), as Science Fair Judge
- *Apollo 13* (1995), as Ted — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/apollo-13.md)
- *The Paper* (1994), as A.C. Repairman
- *seaQuest DSV* (1993), series, as Jeremiah
- *Backdraft* (1991), as Mannequin Fire Reporter
- *Gung Ho* (1986), as Tony
- *Cocoon* (1985), as DMV Clerk
- *Splash* (1984), as T.V. Dept. Manager
- *Night Shift* (1982), as Morgue Worker
- *Real Life* (1979), as Jack from Cincinnati — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/real-life.md)
- *Grand Theft Auto* (1977), as Officer Tad
- *Home Movies & Failed Candid-Camera Stunts* (1975), as Jack from Cincinnati
- *Albert Brooks' Famous School for Comedians* (1972), as Student in Pie Throwing Class

---
© 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-ritz