James Woods Biography American actor James Woods has been on the acting scene for nearly four decades, and during that time, he has amassed an impressive résumé of television programs and film work. Some particularly noteworthy roles include Salvador, Ghosts of Mississippi, Casino, and others.
James Howard Woods was born April 18, 1947 in Vernal, Utah. His parents were Gail Peyton Woods and Martha A Smith, an army officer and teacher respectively. Peyton died in 1960, and Smith subsequently married Thomas E Dixon. Woods was raised in Warwick, Rhode Island where he obtained his initial education from Pilgrim High School. Influenced by his father’s participation in the military, Woods considered pursuing his secondary education from the United States Air Force Academy. Accepted into the school and set on becoming a fighter pilot, Woods accidentally put his hand through a plate glass window just weeks before starting school. Severely damaging the tendons in his hand, Woods was no longer eligible to fly planes for the military. Not short on options, Woods scored a near perfect 1580 on his SATs, enabling him to attend MIT. While he pursued a degree in political science, it was the drama department that really drew Woods’ attention. Acting and directing several MIT productions, Woods became so enamored with drama that he left school in 1969 just shy of his degree in order to pursue acting fulltime.
To that end, Woods relocated to New York City and landed his onscreen debut in 1971’s All the Way Home with Joanne Woodward and Eileen Heckart. Finding success early, Woods immediately began landing many different roles in both television and film. His first real introduction to movie-going audiences was his intense and terrifying portrayal of Gregory Ulas Powell in The Onion Field (1979). John Savage, Ted Danson, and Christopher Lloyd costarred. Landing increasingly acclaimed roles in well-received films, Woods won acclaim and notoriety for his work in Sergio Leone’s 1984 crime drama Once Upon a Time in America. One of an all-star cast, Woods acted beside Robert De Niro, Elizabeth McGovern, Treat Williams, Joe Pesci, and others. But Woods enjoyed his first real critical recognition just two years later in Oliver Stone’s war drama Salvador. Woods played real-life journalist Richard Boyle opposite James Belushi and Michael Murphy. Woods walked away with his first Oscar nomination. The win ended up going to Paul Newman, however, for The Color of Money.
With the increased exposure, Woods made a name for himself as one of the most prolific and respected actors in the business. Notable roles include 1995’s Casino opposite Sharon Stone and Nixon with Anthony Hopkins and Joan Allen. Woods’ second Oscar nomination came in 1996 with Rob Reiner’s Ghosts of Mississippi. Losing out again, the golden statuette went to Cuba Gooding Jr for Jerry Maguire. Most recently, he appeared as Sebastian Stark on the television drama Shark. Series regulars also include Danielle Panabaker, Sophia Brown, Sarah Carter, and Jeri Ryan. In his personal life, Woods is noted for his staunch democratic views. However, he has stated that his role in Rudy: The Rudy Giuliani Story was his personal favorite. Possessing a rumored IQ of 180, Woods is an official member of Mensa, but he is also noted for his love of poker and video games. In his personal time, he volunteers with the Los Angeles Police Department. On the relationship front, he married Kathryn Morrison in 1980. They divorced in 1983. He later married Sarah Owen in 1989, but their marriage ended in divorce as well in 1990. | 
