James Spader - Actor Profile

James Spader

Acting
Freshness: Jan 19, 2026
50Total Films
7.6 Highest Rated
Born: Feb 7, 1960
Birth Place: Boston, Massachusetts, USA

About 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.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of James Spader reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Drama

The majority of James Spader's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 32% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), James Spader remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Final Cut: Ladies and Gentlemen, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best James Spader Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from James Spader's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of James Spader.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2024 BRATS Self (archive footage) (uncredited) Average Similar →
2015 Avengers: Age of Ultron Ultron (voice) Hit Similar →
2014 The Homesman Aloysius Duffy Hit Similar →
2012 Lincoln W.N. Bilbo Hit Similar →
2012 Final Cut: Ladies and Gentlemen (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2009 Shorts Carbon Black Average Similar →
2006 Discovery Atlas: China Revealed Narrator (voice) Flop Similar →
2004 Shadow of Fear William Ashbury Flop Similar →
2003 Alien Hunter Julian Rome Flop Similar →
2003 I Witness Douglas Draper Flop Similar →
2003 The Pentagon Papers Daniel Ellsberg Average Similar →
2002 Secretary Mr. Grey Hit Similar →
2002 The Stickup John Parker Average Similar →
2001 Speaking of Sex Dr. Roger Klink Flop Similar →
2000 Slow Burn Marcus Flop Similar →
2000 The Watcher FBI Special Agent Joel Campbell Flop Similar →
2000 Supernova Nick Vanzant Flop Similar →
1998 Curtain Call Stevenson Lowe Flop Similar →
1997 Critical Care Dr. Werner Ernst Average Similar →
1997 Keys to Tulsa Ronnie Stover Flop Similar →
1997 Driftwood The Man Average Similar →
1996 2 Days in the Valley Lee Woods Average Similar →
1996 Crash James Ballard Hit Similar →
1994 Dream Lover Ray Reardon Average Similar →
1994 Stargate Dr. Daniel Jackson Hit Similar →
1994 Wolf Stewart Swinton Average Similar →
1993 The Music of Chance Jack Pozzi Hit Similar →
1992 Bob Roberts Chuck Marlin Hit Similar →
1992 Storyville Cray Fowler Flop Similar →
1991 True Colors Tim Gerrity Average Similar →
1990 White Palace Max Baron Average Similar →
1990 Bad Influence Michael Boll Average Similar →
1989 sex, lies, and videotape Graham Dalton Hit Similar →
1989 The Rachel Papers Deforest Flop Similar →
1988 Jack's Back John Allen Wesford / Richard Wesford Flop Similar →
1988 Greasy Lake Digby Flop Similar →
1987 Wall Street Roger Barnes Hit Similar →
1987 Less Than Zero Rip Average Similar →
1987 Baby Boom Ken Arrenberg Average Similar →
1987 Mannequin Mr. Richards Hit Similar →
1986 Pretty in Pink Steff McKee Hit Similar →
1985 Starcrossed Joey Callaghan Flop Similar →
1985 The New Kids Eddie Dutra Average Similar →
1985 Tuff Turf Morgan Hiller Average Similar →
1984 Family Secrets Lowell Everall Flop Similar →
1983 A Killer in the Family Donny Tison Hit Similar →
1983 Diner Fenwick Hit Similar →
1983 Cocaine: One Man's Seduction Buddy Gant Hit Similar →
1981 Endless Love Keith Average Similar →
1978 Team-Mates Jimmy Flop Similar →

James Spader - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of James Spader?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring James Spader is "Final Cut: Ladies and Gentlemen" with a rating of 7.6/10.

How many movies has James Spader acted in?

James Spader has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by James Spader?

Other notable films include "Avengers: Age of Ultron", "Wall Street", and "Stargate".