James Todd Spader is an American actor. He is known for often portraying eccentric and morally ambiguous characters. He started his career in critically acclaimed independent films before transitioning into television for which he received numerous awards and acclaim including three Primetime Emmy Awards as well as nominations for three Golden Globe Awards, and ten Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Spader’s film roles include Pretty in Pink (1986), Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989), Crash (1996), Stargate (1994), Wolf (1994), Secretary (2002), Lincoln (2012), and The Homesman (2014). He also voiced the role of Ultron in Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015).
His television roles include those of attorney Alan Shore in the last season of The Practice (2003–2004) and its spin-off Boston Legal (2004–2008), a role which earned him three Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. He is also known for his role as Robert California in the sitcom The Office (2011–2012). He currently stars as Raymond “Red” Reddington in the NBC crime series The Blacklist (2013–present).
Spader is known for his distinctive voice and his ability to play complex and often dark characters. He is a versatile actor who has starred in a wide range of films and television shows. He is also a talented voice actor, and his voice has been featured in several animated films and television shows.
How did James Spader get into acting?
James Spader got into acting through his interest in theater. He attended Phillips Academy in Andover, where he was involved in the drama program. After graduating from high school, Spader moved to New York City to study acting at the Michael Chekhov School.
While studying at the Michael Chekhov School, Spader began to get small roles in off-Broadway productions. He made his Broadway debut in 1984 in the play “End of the World.” In 1985, he landed his first major film role in the movie “Endless Love.”
Spader’s early career was marked by a series of roles in independent films and television movies. He began to gain recognition for his work in the 1989 film “Sex, Lies, and Videotape,” for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe Award.