Skip to main content
▶ WHOPLAYSNOW
James Spader

James Spader

James Todd Spader (/ˈspeɪdər/ SPAY-dər; born February 7, 1960) is an American actor. He is known for often portraying eccentric and morally ambiguous characters. He began his career in critically acclaimed independent films before transitioning into television, where he has received acclaim and many awards, including three Primetime Emmy Awards and nominations for three Golden Globe Awards, and ten Screen Actors Guild Awards. Spader began acting in youth-oriented films such as Tuff Turf, The New Kids (both 1985), Pretty in Pink (1986), and Mannequin (1987). His breakthrough role came with the Steven Soderbergh drama Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989), for which he received the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor. He then starred in films such as White Palace (1990), True Colors (1991), Stargate (1994), 2 Days in the Valley (1996), and Secretary (2002). Spader took supporting roles in Bob Roberts (1992), Wolf (1994), Lincoln (2012), and The Homesman (2014). He also played the role of Ultron in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015). His television roles include the attorney Alan Shore in the last season of The Practice (2003–2004) and its spin-off Boston Legal (2004–2008), which earned him three Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. He portrayed Robert California in the sitcom The Office (2011–2012). He then starred as Raymond Reddington in the NBC crime thriller series The Blacklist (2013–2023), for which he received two Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Actor – Television Series Drama. Description above from the Wikipedia article James Spader, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Known for

BRATS
BRATS
2024 • Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Avengers: Age of Ultron
Avengers: Age of Ultron
2015 • Ultron (voice)
The Homesman
The Homesman
2014 • Aloysius Duffy
Lincoln
Lincoln
2012 • W.N. Bilbo
Final Cut: Ladies and Gentlemen
Final Cut: Ladies and Gentlemen
2012 • (archive footage)
Shorts
Shorts
2009 • Carbon Black
Discovery Atlas: China Revealed
Discovery Atlas: China Revealed
2006 • Narrator (voice)
Shadow of Fear
Shadow of Fear
2004 • William Ashbury

Full filmography

BRATS
BRATS
2024 • Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
View movie
Avengers: Age of Ultron
Avengers: Age of Ultron
2015 • Ultron (voice)
View movie
The Homesman
The Homesman
2014 • Aloysius Duffy
View movie
Lincoln
Lincoln
2012 • W.N. Bilbo
View movie
Shorts
Shorts
2009 • Carbon Black
View movie
Shadow of Fear
Shadow of Fear
2004 • William Ashbury
View movie
Alien Hunter
Alien Hunter
2003 • Julian Rome
View movie
I Witness
I Witness
2003 • Douglas Draper
View movie
The Pentagon Papers
The Pentagon Papers
2003 • Daniel Ellsberg
View movie
Secretary
Secretary
2002 • Mr. Grey
View movie
The Stickup
The Stickup
2002 • John Parker
View movie
Speaking of Sex
Speaking of Sex
2001 • Dr. Roger Klink
View movie
Slow Burn
Slow Burn
2000 • Marcus
View movie
The Watcher
The Watcher
2000 • FBI Special Agent Joel Campbell
View movie
Supernova
Supernova
2000 • Nick Vanzant
View movie
Curtain Call
Curtain Call
1998 • Stevenson Lowe
View movie
Critical Care
Critical Care
1997 • Dr. Werner Ernst
View movie
Keys to Tulsa
Keys to Tulsa
1997 • Ronnie Stover
View movie
Driftwood
Driftwood
1997 • The Man
View movie
Crash
Crash
1996 • James Ballard
View movie
Dream Lover
Dream Lover
1994 • Ray Reardon
View movie
Stargate
Stargate
1994 • Dr. Daniel Jackson
View movie
Wolf
Wolf
1994 • Stewart Swinton
View movie
Bob Roberts
Bob Roberts
1992 • Chuck Marlin
View movie
Storyville
Storyville
1992 • Cray Fowler
View movie
True Colors
True Colors
1991 • Tim Gerrity
View movie
White Palace
White Palace
1990 • Max Baron
View movie
Bad Influence
Bad Influence
1990 • Michael Boll
View movie
Jack's Back
Jack's Back
1988 • John Allen Wesford / Richard Wesford
View movie
Greasy Lake
Greasy Lake
1988 • Digby
View movie
Wall Street
Wall Street
1987 • Roger Barnes
View movie
Baby Boom
Baby Boom
1987 • Ken Arrenberg
View movie
Mannequin
Mannequin
1987 • Mr. Richards
View movie
Pretty in Pink
Pretty in Pink
1986 • Steff McKee
View movie
Starcrossed
Starcrossed
1985 • Joey Callaghan
View movie
The New Kids
The New Kids
1985 • Eddie Dutra
View movie
Tuff Turf
Tuff Turf
1985 • Morgan Hiller
View movie
Family Secrets
Family Secrets
1984 • Lowell Everall
View movie
Diner
Diner
1983 • Fenwick
View movie
Team-Mates
Team-Mates
1978 • Jimmy
View movie
James Spader – Biography, Known For & Filmography