---
name: "James Spader"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/james-spader"
fi1m_id: "james-spader"
imdb_id: "nm0000652"
tmdb_id: 13548
wikidata_id: "Q296928"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "7 February 1960"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 11
average_fi1m_score: 72
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 11
updated: "2026-10-22T02:51:42.095882+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 Spader

## Identity

James Spader

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/james-spader
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** james-spader
- **IMDb ID:** nm0000652
- **TMDB ID:** 13548
- **Wikidata ID:** Q296928
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Spader, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q296928, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000652/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/13548

Actor. Born 7 February 1960 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 7 February 1960, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- **Active:** 1987–present
- **Also known as:** Jimmy Spader, James Todd Spader
- **Frequently works with:** [Adam Arkin](https://film.one/person/adam-arkin.md), [John Terlesky](https://film.one/person/john-terlesky.md), [Jonathan Shapiro](https://film.one/person/jonathan-shapiro.md), [Joss Whedon](https://film.one/person/joss-whedon.md), [Lukas Reiter](https://film.one/person/lukas-reiter.md), [Peter Ocko](https://film.one/person/peter-ocko.md), [Tucker Gates](https://film.one/person/tucker-gates.md), [Victor Nelli, Jr.](https://film.one/person/victor-nelli-jr.md)
- **Primetime Emmy Awards:** 3 Emmys (3 won)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 72, as actor, over 11 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 78 (2), 1990s 67 (3), 2000s 76 (2), 2010s 70 (4)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 73 to 67 across 9 titles
- **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 9 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 5 of 11 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 8, Action 2, Adventure 2, Comedy 2, Crime 2, Science Fiction 2
- **Screen time:** 16 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $2,083m across 8 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Spader, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q296928, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000652/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/13548

## Streaming the US now

- **Tubi:** [*Stargate*](https://film.one/film/stargate.md) (62), [*Wolf*](https://film.one/film/wolf.md) (60)
- **Peacock:** [*The Office*](https://film.one/tv/the-office-2005.md) (77)
- **Disney+:** [*Boston Legal*](https://film.one/tv/boston-legal.md) (76)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The Homesman*](https://film.one/film/the-homesman.md) (72)
- **Apple TV:** [*Avengers: Age of Ultron*](https://film.one/film/avengers-age-of-ultron.md) (63)
- **Netflix:** [*The Blacklist*](https://film.one/tv/the-blacklist.md) (63)

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

## Fi1m on James Spader

> James Spader makes quiet speech and stillness feel faintly improper. We rate him highly when a director gives that unease something specific to do; his restraint can be funny and revealing, though it can also keep us outside a film.

In *sex, lies, and videotape* (1989), James Spader sits almost motionless, hands folded, speaking just below conversational volume. His Graham Dalton tells Ann that he is impotent without raising his voice or asking for sympathy. We laughed because his matter-of-fact disclosure leaves Andie MacDowell's Ann visibly struggling to take it calmly. Steven Soderbergh, who wrote, directed and edited the film, makes room for both his stillness and her small starts of alarm.

That part changed the uses to which he could be put. Supporting work in *Pretty in Pink* (1986) belonged to an early career often restricted to unsympathetic young men; Graham was the breakthrough into more complicated company. Spader could be unsettling without playing someone we simply wanted to go away. Soderbergh makes his unvarnished answers a source of trouble for people accustomed to evasion.

In David Cronenberg's *Crash* (1996), his reserve has a colder effect. As James Ballard, he declines to ask for our affection, a useful choice in a film so liable to examine its characters as specimens. Holly Hunter's firmer Helen Remington and Elias Koteas's intense Vaughan give him contrasting temperaments to play against. The restraint suits the material, but it also contributes to the distance that makes the slower passages tiring. We recommend the film with that reservation: Spader holds our attention without always giving us enough to feel.

*Secretary* (2002), with Spader as Mr. Grey, continued his interest in sexually charged authority. From 2003, television became his principal work, with Alan Shore moving from *The Practice* (2003–04) to *Boston Legal* (2004–08). Raymond Reddington in *The Blacklist* (2013–2023) gave him a character to sustain for ten seasons. The longer form gave him room to keep testing the same character in different situations.

We would not pretend his choices are endlessly varied. His fondness for eccentric men risks making their oddness seem sufficient, and *Crash* shows how easily restraint can leave us at a distance. The directors who serve him best give another performer something to do with that discomfort. Start with *sex, lies, and videotape*, and watch MacDowell while he talks.

## Biography

James Todd Spader is an American actor. He played Graham Dalton in Steven Soderbergh's *sex, lies, and videotape* (1989), a role that brought him the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor.

Spader's early film work includes *Pretty in Pink* (1986), *Wall Street* (1987), *Stargate* (1994), *Crash* (1996) and *Secretary* (2002). Later credits include *Lincoln* (2012) and the voice of Ultron in *Avengers: Age of Ultron* (2015).

On television he portrayed Alan Shore in *The Practice* (2003–2004) and *Boston Legal* (2004–2008), Robert California in *The Office* (2011–2012) and Raymond 'Red' Reddington in *The Blacklist* (2013–2023). He has received three Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.

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

## On Fi1m (11)

- *Avengers: Age of Ultron* (2015), Fi1m 63, as Ultron (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/avengers-age-of-ultron.md)
- *The Homesman* (2014), Fi1m 72, as Aloysius Duffy — [page](https://film.one/film/the-homesman.md)
- *The Blacklist* (2013), Fi1m 63, as Raymond 'Red' Reddington — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-blacklist.md)
- *Lincoln* (2012), Fi1m 82, as W.N. Bilbo — [page](https://film.one/film/lincoln.md)
- *The Office* (2005), Fi1m 77, as Robert California — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-office-2005.md)
- *Boston Legal* (2004), Fi1m 76, as Alan Shore — [page](https://film.one/tv/boston-legal.md)
- *Crash* (1996), Fi1m 78, as James Ballard — [page](https://film.one/film/crash.md)
- *Stargate* (1994), Fi1m 62, as Dr. Daniel Jackson — [page](https://film.one/film/stargate.md)
- *Wolf* (1994), Fi1m 60, as Stewart Swinton — [page](https://film.one/film/wolf.md)
- *sex, lies, and videotape* (1989), Fi1m 83, as Graham Dalton — [page](https://film.one/film/sex-lies-and-videotape.md)
- *Wall Street* (1987), Fi1m 74, as Roger Barnes — [page](https://film.one/film/wall-street.md)

## Complete filmography (58)

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

- *VisionQuest* (2026), series, as Ultron — coming soon, [page](https://film.one/tv/visionquest.md)
- *Avengers: Age of Ultron* (2015), as Ultron (voice) — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/avengers-age-of-ultron.md)
- *The Homesman* (2014), as Aloysius Duffy — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/the-homesman.md)
- *The Blacklist* (2013), series, as Raymond 'Red' Reddington · Executive Producer, Co-Executive Producer — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-blacklist.md)
- *Lincoln* (2012), as W.N. Bilbo — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/lincoln.md)
- *Final Cut: Ladies and Gentlemen* (2012), as (archive footage)
- *Shorts* (2009), as Carbon Black
- *Discovery Atlas* (2006), series, Actor
- *Discovery Atlas: China Revealed* (2006), as Narrator (voice)
- *The Office* (2005), series, as Robert California — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-office-2005.md)
- *Boston Legal* (2004), series, as Alan Shore — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/boston-legal.md)
- *Shadow of Fear* (2004), as William Ashbury
- *Alien Hunter* (2003), as Julian Rome
- *I Witness* (2003), as Douglas Draper
- *The Pentagon Papers* (2003), as Daniel Ellsberg
- *Secretary* (2002), as Mr. Grey
- *The Stickup* (2002), as John Parker
- *Speaking of Sex* (2001), as Dr. Roger Klink
- *Slow Burn* (2000), as Marcus
- *The Watcher* (2000), as FBI Special Agent Joel Campbell
- *Supernova* (2000), as Nick Vanzant
- *Curtain Call* (1998), as Stevenson Lowe
- *Critical Care* (1997), as Dr. Werner Ernst
- *Keys to Tulsa* (1997), as Ronnie Stover
- *The Practice* (1997), series, as Alan Shore
- *Driftwood* (1997), as The Man
- *2 Days in the Valley* (1996), as Lee Woods
- *Crash* (1996), as James Ballard — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/crash.md)
- *Stargate* (1994), as Dr. Daniel Jackson — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/film/stargate.md)
- *Wolf* (1994), as Stewart Swinton — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/wolf.md)
- *Dream Lover* (1994), as Ray Reardon
- *Frasier* (1993), series, as Steven (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/frasier.md)
- *The Music of Chance* (1993), as Jack Pozzi
- *Bob Roberts* (1992), as Chuck Marlin
- *Storyville* (1992), as Cray Fowler
- *True Colors* (1991), as Tim Gerrity
- *White Palace* (1990), as Max Baron
- *Bad Influence* (1990), as Michael Boll
- *sex, lies, and videotape* (1989), as Graham Dalton — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/sex-lies-and-videotape.md)
- *Seinfeld* (1989), series, as Jason 'Stanky' Hanky — Fi1m 90, [page](https://film.one/tv/seinfeld.md)
- *The Rachel Papers* (1989), as Deforest
- *Jack's Back* (1988), as John Allen Wesford / Richard Wesford
- *Greasy Lake* (1988), as Digby
- *Wall Street* (1987), as Roger Barnes — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/wall-street.md)
- *Less Than Zero* (1987), as Rip
- *Baby Boom* (1987), as Ken Arrenberg
- *Mannequin* (1987), as Mr. Richards
- *Pretty in Pink* (1986), as Steff McKee
- *Starcrossed* (1985), as Joey Callaghan
- *The New Kids* (1985), as Eddie Dutra
- *Tuff Turf* (1985), as Morgan Hiller
- *Family Secrets* (1984), as Lowell Everall
- *A Killer in the Family* (1983), as Donny Tison
- *Diner* (1983), as Fenwick
- *Cocaine: One Man's Seduction* (1983), as Buddy Gant
- *The Family Tree* (1983), series, Actor
- *Endless Love* (1981), as Keith
- *Team-Mates* (1978), as Jimmy

## Gallery

- ![James Spader](https://film.one/media/person/9978/gallery-ae99e7d58ea1.jpg) James Spader — Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e1/James_Spader_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg/1280px-James_Spader_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![One of my favorite actors, star of The Blacklist, Stargate, 2 Days in the Valley, and Secretary. Sept 2016 NYC](https://film.one/media/person/9978/gallery-4ff839bdac8f.jpg) One of my favorite actors, star of The Blacklist, Stargate, 2 Days in the Valley, and Secretary. Sept 2016 NYC — Greg2600, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/99/James_Spader_%2829629394161%29_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-James_Spader_%2829629394161%29_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![One of my favorite actors, star of The Blacklist, Stargate, 2 Days in the Valley, and Secretary. Sept 2016 NYC](https://film.one/media/person/9978/gallery-491d2cf72f00.jpg) One of my favorite actors, star of The Blacklist, Stargate, 2 Days in the Valley, and Secretary. Sept 2016 NYC — Greg2600, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f9/James_Spader_%2829629394161%29.jpg/1280px-James_Spader_%2829629394161%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![James Spader](https://film.one/media/person/9978/gallery-61236a85fed9.jpg) James Spader — Image via TMDB
- ![James Spader](https://film.one/media/person/9978/gallery-bb92719c1c2e.jpg) James Spader — Image via TMDB
- ![James Spader](https://film.one/media/person/9978/gallery-8586a1a89e3e.jpg) James Spader — Image via TMDB
- ![James Spader](https://film.one/media/person/9978/gallery-b95bae4e2df2.jpg) James Spader — Image via TMDB
- ![James Spader](https://film.one/media/person/9978/gallery-fadc5b6c57b3.jpg) James Spader — Image via TMDB
- ![James Spader](https://film.one/media/person/9978/gallery-14c64182998b.jpg) James Spader — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 3 won

- 2007: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (won), for *Boston Legal*
- 2005: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (won), for *Boston Legal*
- 2004: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (won), for *The Practice*

*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-spader