Throughout the 1980s, John James earned a legion of fans, as well as a Golden Globe nomination, portraying the ultraconservative and upstanding Jeff Colby on Dynasty and its glitzy spinoff, The Colbys. For a young man who grew up inspired by the actors of Hollywood’s Golden Age, it was a dream job. “I was very fortunate to work with men like John Forsythe and Charlton Heston who possessed an inner strength that comes with experience,” James, 68, tells Closer. “They both were able to use that as actors, and I picked up on that.”
Today, with his children grown and starting families of their own, John’s excited to reenter the acting game playing more mature roles. “Fifteen years ago, I was too old to be cast as a younger man, but too young to play an older man,” he explains. “But there’s gravitas at my age. Now I have character.”
How did you get your big break?
Tom Hanks and I were in ABC’s talent search program. Young actors were put on hold for a year to see if [the network] could find them a series. Tom did Bosom Buddies, and I ended up doing Dynasty.
You were a fan of Hollywood’s Golden Age stars, so Dynasty was a good fit. Did you get to meet many of your idols?
When John Forsythe and I were invited to the Carousel Ball in Denver, we flew on a Gulfstream G500 with Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart, Fred MacMurray, Robert Wagner and Henry Fonda. Another time, I remember being in Nolan Miller’s home squeezed on a sofa between Barbara Stanwyck, Ginger Rogers and Esther Williams — all of whom had had far too much to drink! And every month I was at Joan Collins’ house, where I might see Sidney Poitier or Roger Moore.
This story is from the May 20, 2024 edition of Closer US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 20, 2024 edition of Closer US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Mouthwatering BRAISED DISHES
These simple, flavor-packed suppers are just what the doctor ordered this winter
JENNIFER LOVE HEWITT Opens Up About Her New Projects
Jennifer Love Hewitt has always loved celebrating the holidays, but this year promises to be J her most special season yet.
Girl Interrupted
For Nicole Kidman, the film Babygirl is an affair to remember. In this erotic thriller, she's a high-powered tech CEO whose suppressed desires are unleashed by a new, young intern (Harris Dickinson) -threatening the life she's built for herself.
DEBBIE ALLEN MY LIFE IN 10 Pictures
BORN IN Houston, Deborah Kaye Allen knew what she wanted to do fairly early on.
JEFF BRIDGES LIFE is a GIFT
THE LONGTIME ACTOR FEELS EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR THE LESSONS HE’S LEARNED THE HARD WAY
The PATRICIA NEAL Only I Knew
THE OSCAR WINNER'S CLOSE FRIEND SHARES PERSONAL STORIES OF HER KINDNESS, GRACE AND RESILIENCE
NICOLE KIDMAN HEARTBREAK & Healing
THE STAR OF THE NEW FILM BABYGIRL IS STILL COMING TO TERMS WITH THE LOSS OF HER PARENTS
ANNETTE O'TOOLE Just SAY YES
The Virgin River star shares her favorite career memories and the scoop on her life today
5 WAYS TO OFFSET TOO MUCH SITTING
GET A MOVE ON A FEW SIMPLE STRATEGIES TO AVOID HEALTH RISKS
GONE WITH THE WIND Secrets, Scandals & Lost Scenes
THE BIG SCREEN'S GREATEST LOVE STORY STRUGGLED WITH HISTORICAL REALITIES FROM THE BEGINNING