James Staley

Acting

Freshness: Jan 23, 2026

21Total Films

7.1 Highest Rated

Born: May 20, 1948

Birth Place: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of James Staley reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 21 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Drama

The majority of James Staley'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 19% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), James Staley remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in National Lampoon's Vacation, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best James Staley Movies Ranked

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

★7.1

National Lampoon's Vacation (1983) movie poster

★7.1

National Lampoon's Vacation: Clark Griswold is on a quest to take his family to the Walley World theme park for a vacation, but things don't go exact

National Lampoon's Vacation

1983•Comedy

★7.0

★7.0

A Fight for Jenny: When Kelsey remarries, her struggle to get custody of her daughter from her first marriage is complicated by her current

A Fight for Jenny

1986•Drama

★7.0

★7.0

Desert Hearts: While waiting for her divorce papers, a repressed literature professor finds herself unexpectedly attracted by a carefre

Desert Hearts

1985•Drama

★6.5

★6.5

Sweet Dreams: The story of Patsy Cline, the velvet-voiced country music singer who died in a tragic plane crash at the height of her f

Sweet Dreams

1985•Drama

★6.2

★6.2

Pacific Heights: A couple works hard to renovate their dream house and become landlords to pay for it. Unfortunately one of their tenants

Pacific Heights

1990•Thriller

Complete Filmography & Success Status

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

Year	Movie	Character	Success	More
1993	Robot Wars	Stumpy	Flop	Similar →
1993	Without a Kiss Goodbye	Myron Ogelsby	Average	Similar →
1991	Line of Fire: The Morris Dees Story	Welt	Flop	Similar →
1990	Pacific Heights	District Attorney Henry	Average	Similar →
1987	The Stepford Children	Swimming Instructor	Flop	Similar →
1987	Assassination	Briggs	Average	Similar →
1986	A Fight for Jenny	Supervisor	Hit	Similar →
1985	A Letter to Three Wives	Frank	Flop	Similar →
1985	Sweet Dreams	Gerald Cline	Hit	Similar →
1985	Desert Hearts	Art Warner	Hit	Similar →
1984	Protocol	Vice President Merck	Average	Similar →
1984	American Dreamer	Kevin Palmer	Average	Similar →
1983	Deal of the Century	JWT Assoc	Flop	Similar →
1983	National Lampoon's Vacation	Motel Desk Clerk	Hit	Similar →
1982	Firefox	Lt. Commander Fleischer	Average	Similar →
1981	Honky Tonk Freeway	Governor's Assistant	Flop	Similar →
1979	The Last Word	Brady	Flop	Similar →
1979	California Dreaming	Airline Officer	Flop	Similar →
1978	The Bad News Bears Go to Japan	Network Man #4	Flop	Similar →
1977	The Storyteller	Paul Temperson	Flop	Similar →
1972	The Rimers of Eldritch	Robert Conklin	Flop	Similar →

James Staley - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of James Staley?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring James Staley is "National Lampoon's Vacation" with a rating of 7.1/10.

How many movies has James Staley acted in?

James Staley has been featured in at least 21 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by James Staley?

Other notable films include "A Fight for Jenny", "Desert Hearts", and "Sweet Dreams".