James Keach

Photo of James Keach

Biography

Tall, with a "blue collar" air, he sported a mustache for most of his twenty year acting career (1971-91). Keach began on stage in various roles at the prestigious New York Shakespeare Festival before segueing to the small screen as Orville in an acclaimed PBS biography of the Wright Brothers in 1972. He made his feature debut in a small role in "Sunburst" (1975) and went on to appear in supporting roles in "Death Play" (1976), Alan J. …
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Job Title

Actor, Director, Producer, Writer

Born

December 7, 1947

Career Milestones

2007

Directed and co-produced "Blind Dating" with wife Jane Seymour who also starred

2005

Produced the Johnny Cash biopic "Walk the Line," also had a memorable cameo as the Folsom Prison warden

2002

Helmed "Disease of the Wind," a documentary shot in partnership with the American Red Cross

2001

Directed Leslie Nielsen in the independent feature "Camouflage"

1999

Produced and directed the CBS TV-movie, "Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman: The Movie" starring his wife

1997

Directed wife in the CBS made-for-TV movie, "The Absolute Truth"

1995

Directed second feature "The Stars Fell on Henrietta"

1992

Directed several episodes of the popular CBS series, "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" starring his wife, actress, Jane Seymour

1992

Met future wife Jane Seymour, while directing her in the USA movie, "Sunstroke"

1990

Feature directing debut, "False Identity"

1989

Directed the ABC series "The Young Riders," which he also produced

1989

Helmed the USA movie, "The Forgotten" starring his brother Stacy

1986

Played Goldie Hawn's ex-husband in "Wildcats"

1986

Produced "A Winner Never Quits" for TV and "Armed and Dangerous" for the big screen

1983

Played a motorcycle cop in Harold Ramis' "National Lampoon's Vacation"

1980

Co-starred (as Jesse James), executive produced and co-wrote (with brother Stacy and others), "The Long Riders"

1976

Had supporting roles in "Death Play" and "Cannonball"

1975

Feature debut in a small role in "Sunburst"

1973

Broadway debut, "Felice" in "The Outcry"

1972

TV debut as Orville Wright in the acclaimed PBS biography "Orville & Wilbur"

1970

New York stage debut, various productions, New York Shakespeare Festival