Clifton James' Main TV Roles Show Character(s) Texas Striker Bel… City of Angels (1976) Lt. Murray … Lewis & Clark Silas Jones The Contender (1980) Tompkins

Main Movie Roles 2006 - Raising Flagg 1996 - Lone Star 1990 - The Bonfire of the Vanities 1988 - Eight Men Out 1987 - The Untouchables 1986 - Whoops Apocalypse 1980 - Superman II 1980 - Caboblanco 1977 - The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training 1976 - Silver Streak 1975 - Rancho Deluxe 1974 - Juggernaut 1974 - The Man with the Golden Gun 1973 - The Laughing Policeman 1973 - The Last Detail 1973 - The Iceman Cometh 1973 - Live and Let Die 1969 - The Reivers 1967 - Cool Hand Luke 1966 - The Chase 1962 - Experiment in Terror

BIOGRAPHY:

Blustery, stocky, loud although often genial character actor who has created a niche for himself playing often frustrated and fast talking Southern characters.....most noticeably as "Sheriff J.W. Pepper" alongside Roger Moore (I) in the James Bond spy adventure Live and Let Die (1973), plus his character returned to assist 007 again in The Man with the Golden Gun (1974).

He may have perfected a Southern drawl, however Clifton James was actually born in New York in May 1921, a graduate of the Actors Studio and was regularly appearing in guest roles on 1950's / 60's TV shows including "Gunsmoke" (1955), "Bonanza" (1959) and "The Virginian" (1962). He was also busy in the cinema with minor roles in classy productions, such as Cool Hand Luke (1967), Will Penny (1968) and The New Centurions (1972). After his 007 escapades, James remained busy putting in a great dramatic performance in The Deadly Tower (1975) (TV), played another loud-mouthed Sheriff in the action comedy Silver Streak (1976) and was superb as team owner "Charles Comiskey" in the dramatization of the 1919 Chicago White Sox scandal, Eight Men Out (1988).

He's been quieter in recent years, but recently showed he could still contribute an enjoyable performance in the wonderful John Sayles movie Sunshine State (2002).


TRIVIA:

• A graduate of the University of Oregon.
• Is best remembered for playing the stereotypical Redneck cop Sheriff J.W. Pepper in the James Bond films _Live and Let Die (1973)_ (qv) and _The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)_ (qv). He played basically the same character in Superman II (1980) although his name is never mentioned (He's referred to simply as "sheriff").
• Served five years with the U.S. Army during World War II.
• Made his Broadway stage debut as the warm-hearted construction foreman in William Saroyan's "The Cave Dwellers".
• Has mastered an impeccable (and unmistakable) Southern accent, despite having been born in New York City.