James Stephens (actor)

For other people named James Stephens, see James Stephens (disambiguation).
James Stephens
Born (1951-05-18) May 18, 1951 (age 73)
Mount Kisco, New York, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1976-2015
Known forThe Paper Chase
PartnerPriscilla Taylor[1]
Children1

James Stephens (born May 18, 1951) is an American actor best known for his starring role as James T. Hart in the television series The Paper Chase. He is also known for his role in Tom Bosley's ABC television series, Father Dowling Mysteries (1989-1991), in which Stephens was cast as Father Philip Prestwick.

Biography

Stephens was born in Mount Kisco, New York. He is best known for his role as idealistic Minnesota-born law student James T. Hart in The Paper Chase (1978–1979 and 1983–1986), taking on the role originated by Timothy Bottoms in the movie of the same name.

His first role was as C. L. Bradley in the pilot and two episodes of the ABC western series, How the West Was Won, starring James Arness. He guest-starred in such series as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Diagnosis: Murder, L.A. Law, Matlock, Moonlighting, M*A*S*H, Eischied, multiple characters on Murder, She Wrote, a recurring role on Cagney & Lacey, and the role of the young Doctor Auschlander in 1945 in flashbacks on St. Elsewhere. His film appearances have included roles in True Grit: A Further Adventure (1978), First Monday in October (1981), The Getaway (1994), A Perry Mason Mystery:The Case of the Lethal Lifestyle (1994), and Against the Law (1997).

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1981 First Monday in October Mason Woods
1983 Two of a Kind Ron Credited as James 'Stevens'
1989 Caddie Woodlawn John Woodlawn
1994 The Getaway Harold Carvey, DVM
1997 Against the Law Det. Ben Hamada
1998 Hijack Harold Besser

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1978 How the West Was Won C.L. Bradley 2 episodes
1978 True Grit: A Further Adventure Joshua Sumner Television film
1978–1986 The Paper Chase James T. Hart 58 episodes
1979 Eischied Colvin 2 episodes
1979 The Death of Ocean View Park Phil Brady Television film
1980 M*A*S*H Private David Sheridan Episode: "Morale Victory"
1980 Tourist Steve Konay Television film
1980 The Littlest Hobo Kevin Wheeler Episode: "Portrait of Danger"
1982 Mysterious Two Tim Armstrong Television film
1984–1994 Murder, She Wrote Various roles 4 episodes
1986 St. Elsewhere One episode as the young Daniel Auschlander Episode: "Time Heals: Part 2"
1986 Gone to Texas Stephen F. Austin Television film
1987 Houston Knights Jonathan Linder Episode: "God's Will"
1987 Fatal Confession: A Father Dowling Mystery Father Philip Prestwick Television film
1988 21 Jump Street Mark Rafferty Episode: "I'm Okay, You Need Work"
1988 Hotel Jonas Robinson Episode: "Power Play"
1988 Cagney & Lacey Lt. Jim Thornton 3 episodes
1988 Pancho Barnes Rankin Barnes Television film
1989 General Hospital Aphrodite Captain Episode dated 12 May 1989
1989 Moonlighting Mark Charnock Episode: "Lunar Eclipse"
1989–1991 Father Dowling Mysteries Father Philip Prestwick 37 episodes
1990 Follow Your Heart Howard Television film
1993 Matlock Dr. Duncan Farmington Episode: "The Divorce"
1994 L.A. Law Dr. Michael Joyce Episode: "God Is My Co-Counsel"
1994 MacShayne: The Final Roll of the Dice Patrick Blondel Television film
1994 A Perry Mason Mystery: The Case of the Lethal Lifestyle Daniel Kingman
1994–1998 Diagnosis: Murder Ian Trainor / Dr. Niven 3 episodes
1997 Buffy the Vampire Slayer Dr. Weirick Episode: "The Pack"
1998 Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction Tom North Episode: "The Gun"
2002 Courage the Cowardly Dog Voice 13 episodes

References

  1. ^ Graham, Jefferson (May 9, 1983). "Actor James Stephens Is Up to His Neck Again on Paper Chase—but This Time It's on Cable". People. Retrieved 2021-04-17.


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