You want to do what? Be an actor?! That was the horrified question that accompanied the blank stare on my parents' faces when I announced my life plan. “But James , Sidney Poitier is the only Black person starring in movies. And it’s worst on TV. I went on to explain my plan; after graduating from college I would study at London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, join a major repertory theater company, be discovered by Hollywood and become a movie and TV star. Aah, young dreams!

Three years later I was performing at the American Conservatory Theater (U.S. extension). Eighteen months after that I was at the American Conservatory Theater under Bill Ball in San Francisco. A year later I was co-staring with Jeff Bridges and Rob Reiner in my first motion Picture (“Halls Of Anger”) and nine months later co-starring with Sidney Poitier in “The Organization”. That began a history of magazine covers, newspaper articles, coaching and lecturing, producing and directing my own theater productions, an Emmy nomination consideration, dozens of stage plays including Los Angeles’ The Mark Taper Forum with Gordon Davidson, film writing and producing, 75 commercials, leads and series regulars in over 80 television shows, mini-series and 10 movies. Over the last three decades, I’ve had the privilege of co-starring in films and television with Jamie Foxx, Mary Tyler Moore, Edward G. Robinson, Angie Dickenson, George Kennedy, Red Foxx, Van Heflin, Peter Falk, James Garner, Michael Crichton and many more. Dreams do come true! And the best is still to come.

Race had never been a conscious obstacle to me. It never occurred to me, when I first began acting in the late 60’s that like Sidney Poitier, Lou Gossett and a few others, I might be breaking barriers and paving the way for others to come in the then post the civil rights era. Changing casting notions to create opportunities for a young African American leading man proved to be a challenging reality. Young and eager, I just wanted to act. At the same time, studios and networks were just beginning to understand that there had always been minority audiences and other cultures eager and ready to support great story telling with compelling characters and talent that will always cross-over and translate into commercial entertainment. I was blessed with success. And I’m lovin’ it even more now because now I know what I’m doing!! Time and experience have only made me better and appreciate even more what a joy and privilege it is for me to grow my craft working with the great talents and professionals I’ve met in today’s industry. Now that life is conducted on the internet I’m excited about reintroducing myself to old friends and those I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting. I’m a seasoned pro, young at heart and fit for the productive and exciting third act of my career.

Feature Film Appearances

National Lampoon’s Dorm Daze
Airplane II: The Sequel (All Star Cast) First Officer Dunn
The Killing At Outpost Zeta (Astronaut Hughes, Scifi)
Golden Girl – Coach Winters (Directed by Joe Sargent, starring James Coburn, Leslie Caron, Curt Jurgens)
Lady Cocoa - Eddie (also Writer, Co-producer)
Extreme Close Up – Jake Miller, supporting lead (Written, Produced by Michael Crichton)
The Organization – Stacey Baker (Starring Sidney Poitier)
Halls Of Anger – J.T. Watson (with Jeff Bridges, Rob Reiner, Ed Asner)

Theater Appearances

"National Pastime" Fremont Center Theater Group - Jackie Robinson bio - Role of Wendell.
"Lemon Meringue Facade" Directed by Ted Lange - comedic drama (Nominated for Best Supporting Actor - San Fernando Theater Award).
"Othello" Academy Dramatic Arts, Detroit. Role of Othello.
"Dream on Monkey Mountain" Mark Taper Forum, Los Angeles. Produced by Gordon Davidson, Directed by Michael Schultz.
"Rashomon/Outrage" Redlands Repertory Theatre. Directed by James Watson, role of Carasco.
"Death of a Salesman" Redlands Repertory Theatre, role of Biff.
"Calculated Risk" Marla Gibbs Theater.
"A Raisin in the Sun" Redlands Repertory Theatre, role of Walter Lee.
"In White America" A.C.T. Theater, San Francisco.
"The Gleep Musical" A.C.T. Theater, San Francisco. Written by James A. Watson, Jr.
"Room Service" Theater, San Francisco.
"Oaklahoma" Role of Judd.
"West Side Story" Role of Bernardo. 

Producer/Director/Choreographer

“Golden Boy” the musical: Produced & Directed by James Watson, played lead as “Joe”
“Movin’” Produced, Choreographed, Dancer (a jazz concert)
“197One” Musical Review Produced by Chuck Barris, Choreographer, Performer, (with Tony winner Judy Kaye)

Writer

As a writer, Mr. Watson has worked with or developed projects for Dick Berg, Viacom, Productions, Arsenial Hall Productions, Exec. Producer Charles Johnson (Magnun P.I., Jag, N.C.I.S.) and others. Mr. Watson’s production company, Vision Entertainment enjoys a collaboration with Emmy winning Executive Producer Renee Valente. Together they are currently developing feature films, stage and television projects.
“Lady Coco” Independent Feature Film; Writer and Associate Producer
Creative consultant for Lee Rich, Lorimar TV Film, “The Man” starring James Earl Jones
“Brown Sugar” ABC TV Pilot Creator, writer
“Dangerous Hope” NBC Metro Media TV Film Producer Dick Berg
20th Century Fox Development Deal with Emmy Executive Renee Valente