James Marsden | |
---|---|
Born | James Paul Marsden September 18, 1973 Stillwater, Oklahoma, U.S. |
Occupation(s) | Actor,singer |
Years active | 1993–present |
Spouse | Lisa Linde (m. 2000;div. 2011) |
Children | 3 |
Relatives | Dennis Linde (late father-in-law) |
James Paul Marsden (born September 18, 1973) [1] is an American television and film actor. He began his acting career guest starring in the television shows Saved by the Bell: The New Class (1993), Touched by an Angel (1995), and Party of Five (1995). Marsden gained fame for his portrayal of Cyclops in the X-Men film series (2000–2014) and for his roles in the films The Notebook (2004), Superman Returns (2006), Hairspray (2007), Enchanted (2007), 27 Dresses (2008) and Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013). He portrayed John F. Kennedy in the drama film The Butler (2013) and Tom Wachowski in Sonic the Hedgehog (2020), Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022) and is reprising the role in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024).
Marsden starred in the science fiction series Westworld from 2016 to 2022 and in the black comedy series Dead to Me from 2019 to 2022, for which he received a nomination for the Critics' Choice Television Award in 2023. He played guest roles in the sitcoms Modern Family (2011) and 30 Rock (2012–2013). He starred as a fictionalized version of himself in the mockumentary series Jury Duty (2023), for which he received nominations for a Golden Globe Award and a Primetime Emmy Award.
Marsden was born in Stillwater, Oklahoma, on September 18, 1973, the son of Kathleen (née Scholtz) and James Luther Marsden. [2] His father, a food safety advisor to LexiGene Industries, [1] [3] and his mother, a nutritionist, divorced when he was nine years old. [4]
He has four siblings: two younger sisters and two brothers. He attended Hefner Middle School and Putnam City North High School, in Oklahoma City, and later went on to attend Oklahoma State University, where he studied broadcast journalism. [5] He was also a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity. Marsden left after one and a half years, opting instead to move to Los Angeles in order to pursue his acting career.
Marsden got his first job in a series of episodes of The Nanny as Eddie, Margaret Sheffield's boyfriend. He then starred in the Canadian television series Boogies Diner , which aired for one season. Following the end of that series, he guest starred on television shows such as Saved by the Bell: The New Class and Party of Five . He later starred in the ABC show Second Noah . He lost out to Edward Norton for a role in Primal Fear and auditioned for the lead role in 54 , which then went to Ryan Phillippe. [6] He starred in the films Disturbing Behavior opposite Katie Holmes and Gossip opposite Kate Hudson. He also appeared in the television series Ally McBeal as one of the main cast members during the first half of season 5, where he also sang. He also starred in a 1998 episode of "The Outer Limits".
Marsden was cast as Cyclops in the X-Men films. His character is prominent in the comics; his screen time in the films, however, is reduced in the sequels. Marsden also appeared in Bryan Singer's Superman Returns . Singer had dropped out of the third X-Men film to direct Superman and Marsden was cast as Lois Lane's fiancé, Richard White. Due to schedule conflicts, Marsden's screen time in X-Men: The Last Stand was reduced, stirring controversy from fans of the comics. [7] Marsden's portrayal of Cyclops in the films was well received and garnered him a Blockbuster Award for Best Supporting Actor. [8] In 2014 Marsden reprised his role of Cyclops in a brief cameo for X-Men: Days of Future Past , as did other actors from the first film including Anna Paquin and Famke Janssen.
In 2004, Marsden co-starred with Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, James Garner, and Gena Rowlands in the romantic drama The Notebook as Lon Hammond, Jr., the second man Allie Hamilton (McAdams) falls in love with. In 2007, Marsden played Corny Collins in the film adaptation of the Broadway musical Hairspray , based on the 1988 John Waters film of the same name. In the film, he sang two songs, "The Nicest Kids In Town" and "(It's) Hairspray." Both Hairspray and its soundtrack were critically acclaimed. [9] His next role was with Amy Adams in the Disney hybrid animated/live-action film Enchanted , playing Prince Edward. He sang one song as a duet with Adams at the beginning of the film and a duet with Idina Menzel that was cut from the film. Enchanted was well received critically and proved to be a commercial success, earning more than $340 million worldwide at the box office. [10]
Following his successes in 2007's Hairspray and Enchanted, Marsden played the male lead in the 2008 romantic comedy 27 Dresses opposite star Katherine Heigl, which grossed $160 million worldwide. [11] He also starred in the teen comedy Sex Drive . Though the film was a moderate success, Marsden's performance was heavily praised. [12] Marsden also received a Teen Choice Awards nomination for Choice Movie Actor in a Comedy for his roles in Enchanted and 27 Dresses. [13]
In 2009, Marsden also played the male lead in the film The Box , based on the 1970 short story "Button, Button" by author Richard Matheson, which was earlier made into an episode of The Twilight Zone . [14] He starred opposite Cameron Diaz and reunited with Superman Returns co-star Frank Langella. [15] In 2010, Marsden was cast in the comedy Death at a Funeral , a remake of the 2007 British film of the same name, along with Chris Rock, Luke Wilson, Danny Glover, and Columbus Short.
Marsden made an appearance on Modern Family in January 2011, playing a squatter. [16] In April, Marsden appeared as the male (live-action) lead in Hop , an Easter-themed comedy co-starring Russell Brand as the Easter Bunny. Although the film was considered a commercial success, opening at the top of the weekend box office and grossing over $100 million in the U.S. box office, Hop generally received negative reviews. [17] [18] Later in 2011, Marsden played the lead in Straw Dogs , a remake of Sam Peckinpah's 1971 film; Marsden portrayed the character played by Dustin Hoffman in the original. Straw Dogs reunited Marsden with his Superman Returns co-star Kate Bosworth. The film received mixed reviews and ultimately ended up being a box office flop. [19] [20]
In 2012 and 2013, Marsden appeared in a recurring role in the sixth and seventh seasons of 30 Rock , playing Criss Chros, the boyfriend (and later husband) of the series' main character Liz Lemon. He also appeared in several independent films, including Robot & Frank , Small Apartments , Bachelorette , and As Cool as I Am . In 2013, he co-starred with Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg in the action film 2 Guns , which debuted at number one in its weekend release. Soon after, he starred in Lee Daniels' historical drama The Butler as President John F. Kennedy. The film, featuring an ensemble, opened at the top spot and received positive reviews. Marsden played Jack Lime, a rival reporter to Will Ferrell's Ron Burgundy, in Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues . The following year, he reprised his role as Scott Summers for the first time in eight years in X-Men: Days of Future Past in a cameo. He would also star in his second Nicholas Sparks film titled The Best of Me , replacing Paul Walker in the lead role. Marsden performed as the sentient android Teddy Flood in three seasons of HBO's Westworld .
Marsden appeared as Judy Hale's former boyfriend and lawyer Steve Wood in the Netflix dark comedy series Dead to Me . [21] He later starred in a separate role in the same series as Ben Wood from the second season onward. [22] In 2020, he starred in Paramount's Sonic the Hedgehog film [23] and the Paramount+ television miniseries The Stand. [24] Marsden also starred in the FX miniseries Mrs. America as Phil Crane. In 2021, Marsden provided the voice of Hitch Trailblazer in the Netflix animated film My Little Pony: A New Generation . [25] Marsden reprised his role of Tom Wachowski in the 2022 sequel Sonic the Hedgehog 2 . [26] He also reprised the role of Edward in the sequel to Enchanted, titled Disenchanted , which was released on Disney+ in November 2022. [27] [28] In 2024, Marsden was announced to return as Tom Wachowski in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 . [29] He also starred as Jack LaLanne in Unfrosted , which was released on Netflix in May of that year. [30] [31]
Marsden married Mary Elizabeth "Lisa" Linde, daughter of Dennis Linde, on July 22, 2000. The couple have two children: a son born in 2001 and a daughter born in 2005. [32] [33] They divorced in 2011, with Linde citing irreconcilable differences. [34] [35]
He also has a son, born in 2012, with model Rose Costa. [36]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1993 | In the Line of Duty: Ambush in Waco | Steven Willis | Television film |
Joe's Life | Brian | Episode: "Parental Guidance Not Suggested?" | |
The Nanny | Eddie | 2 episodes | |
Saved by the Bell: The New Class | Chad Westerfield | Episode: "Homecoming King" | |
1994 | Boogies Diner | Jason | Episode #2.28 |
Heavenly Road | Jeremy | Television film | |
Search and Rescue | |||
1995 | Blossom | Josh | Episode: "The Date" |
Party of Five | Griffin Holbrook | Episode: "The Ides of March" | |
Touched by an Angel | Jake | Episode: "Angels on the Air" | |
1996 | Gone in a Heartbeat | Michael Galler | Television film |
919 Fifth Avenue | Will | ||
1996–97 | Second Noah | Ricky Beckett | Main cast |
1997 | Bella Mafia | Luka | Television film |
On the Edge of Innocence | Jake Walker | ||
1998 | The Outer Limits | Brav | Episode: "Rite of Passage" |
2001–02 | Ally McBeal | Glenn Foy | Main cast (season 5) |
2009 | Robot Chicken | Jason Chambers / Lion | Voices; episode: "Especially the Animal Keith Crofford" |
2011 | Modern Family | Barry | Episode: "Slow Down Your Neighbors" |
2012–13 | 30 Rock | Criss Chros | Recurring role |
2014–16 | Wander Over Yonder | Sir Brad Starlight | Voice; 3 episodes |
2016–22 | Westworld | Teddy Flood | Main cast (seasons 1–2; 4) |
2017 | Tour de Pharmacy | Rex Honeycut | Television film |
2019–22 | Dead to Me | Steve Wood / Ben Wood | Main cast |
2020 | Mrs. America | Phil Crane | 3 episodes |
2020–21 | The Stand | Stu Redman | Main cast |
2022 | Green Eggs and Ham | Bo | Voice; episode: "You Only Mom Twice" |
2023 | Party Down | Jack Botty | 2 episodes |
Jury Duty | Himself | Main cast |
Year | Title | Artist(s) | Role |
---|---|---|---|
1998 | "Got You (Where I Want You)" | The Flys | Himself |
2020 | "Imagine" [38] | Gal Gadot & friends | Himself |
Year | Song | Album |
---|---|---|
2000 | "Glow" | Gossip |
2007 | "True Love's Kiss" (with Amy Adams) | Enchanted |
"That's Amore" | Enchanted | |
"The Nicest Kids in Town" | Hairspray | |
"(It's) Hairspray" | Hairspray | |
2021 | "If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out" | The Boss Baby: Family Business |
2022 | "The Magic of Andalasia" | Disenchanted |
Ivan Simon Cary Elwes is an English actor. He is best known for his lead role as Westley in The Princess Bride (1987), as well as for roles in films such as Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993) and the Saw series. The accolades he has received include nominations for a Screen Actors Guild Award and two Satellite Awards.
James Eugene Carrey is a Canadian-American actor and comedian known for his energetic slapstick performances. After spending the 1980s honing his stand-up comedy act and portraying mostly supporting roles in films, Carrey gained wide recognition in 1990 when he was cast in the American sketch comedy television series In Living Color (1990–1994). He broke out as a film star after starring in a string of box office hits with Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask, and Dumb and Dumber, which he followed up with Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls and Batman Forever. The success of these five films led to Carrey being the first actor to receive a $20 million salary for performing in films, beginning with The Cable Guy (1996).
Adam Richard Sandler is an American actor, film producer and comedian. Primarily a comedic leading actor in films, his accolades include nominations for three Grammy Awards, five Primetime Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. In 2023, Sandler was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
Melanie Thandiwe Newton, formerly credited as Thandie Newton, is a British actress. She has received various awards, including a Primetime Emmy Award, and a BAFTA Award, as well as nominations for two Golden Globe Awards. She was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2019 New Year Honours for services to film and charity.
Andre Keith Braugher was an American actor known for his roles as Detective Frank Pembleton in the NBC police drama series Homicide: Life on the Street (1993–1999) and Captain Raymond Holt in the Fox/NBC police comedy series Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013–2021). He won two Primetime Emmy Awards and was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards.
Jeffrey Wright is an American actor. He has received numerous accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award, a Tony Award, and a Golden Globe Award, in addition to a nomination for an Academy Award. Wright began his career in theater where he gained prominence for his role in the Broadway production of Tony Kushner's Angels in America (1993), for which he won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play. He reprised his role in the acclaimed 2003 HBO miniseries adaptation, earning the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie.
Brandon Routh is an American actor. He portrayed Superman in the 2006 film Superman Returns, which garnered him international fame. In 2011, he played the title character of the film Dylan Dog: Dead of Night. He also had a recurring role in the NBC series Chuck, as Daniel Shaw. Routh also played a supporting role in the film Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008), and played Todd Ingram in the film Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010), reprising the role in the animated series Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (2023).
Henry William Dalgliesh Cavill is a British actor. He is known for his portrayal of Charles Brandon in Showtime's The Tudors (2007–2010), Superman in the DC Extended Universe (2013–2023), Geralt of Rivia in the Netflix fantasy series The Witcher (2019–2023) and Sherlock Holmes in the Netflix film Enola Holmes (2020) and its 2022 sequel.
Elliot Page is a Canadian actor and producer. His accolades include nominations for an Academy Award, three British Academy Film Awards, a Golden Globe Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. He is also known for his outspoken activism.
Euphemia LatiQue"Tika" Sumpter is an American actress and producer. Sumpter began her career as the host of Best Friend's Date. From 2005 to 2010, she appeared in the daytime soap opera One Life to Live. In 2010, she made her film debut in Stomp the Yard: Homecoming and later featured in supporting roles for What's Your Number? (2011), Sparkle (2012), and A Madea Christmas (2013).
Enchanted is a 2007 American live-action/animated musical fantasy romantic comedy film directed by Kevin Lima and written by Bill Kelly. Co-produced by Walt Disney Pictures, Josephson Entertainment, and Right Coast Productions, the film stars Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, Timothy Spall, Idina Menzel, and Susan Sarandon, with Julie Andrews as the narrator. It focuses on an archetypal Disney princess-to-be named Giselle exiled from her animated world into the live-action world of New York City.
Anne Fletcher is an American choreographer, film director, dancer and actress. She directed the films Step Up (2006), 27 Dresses (2008), The Proposal (2009), The Guilt Trip (2012), Hot Pursuit (2015), Dumplin' (2018), and Hocus Pocus 2 (2022).
Jimmi Simpson is an American actor. Known for his work across film, television, and theatre, he is the recipient of BAFTA, Primetime Emmy, and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations.
Angela Sarafyan, sometimes credited as Angela Sarafian, is an Armenian-American actress. She has appeared as a guest star in several television series and has acted in the feature films: Kabluey (2007), On the Doll (2007), A Beautiful Life (2008), The Informers (2008), A Good Old Fashioned Orgy (2011), Lost & Found in Armenia (2012), and Reminiscence (2021).
Benjamin Thomas Barnes is an English actor. He is best known for his roles as Prince Caspian in The Chronicles of Narnia film series (2008–2010), Logan Delos in Westworld (2016–2020), Billy Russo/Jigsaw in the Marvel series The Punisher (2017–2019), and The Darkling in the Netflix series Shadow and Bone (2021–2023).
Benjamin Joseph Schwartz is an American actor and comedian. He is best known for his recurring role as Jean-Ralphio Saperstein on the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation, his starring role as Clyde Oberholt on the Showtime series House of Lies, and his voice roles as Randy Cunningham in Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja, Dewey Duck in DuckTales, and Leonardo in Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. He also appeared many times in the CollegeHumor web series Jake and Amir.
Timothy Miller is an American filmmaker. He made his feature-film directing debut with Deadpool (2016). He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film as co-story writer and executive producer of the short animated film Gopher Broke (2004). Miller directed Terminator: Dark Fate (2019), and also designed the title sequences of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Thor: The Dark World. He is the creator, showrunner and producer of the animated anthology series Love, Death & Robots, for which he has received several Primetime Emmy nominations and awards.
Sonic the Hedgehog is a 2020 action-adventure comedy film based on the video game series published by Sega. The film was directed by Jeff Fowler and written by Pat Casey and Josh Miller, and stars James Marsden and Jim Carrey, with Ben Schwartz voicing the titular character. The plot follows Sonic, a blue anthropomorphic hedgehog who can run at supersonic speeds, who teams up with a town sheriff to stop the mad scientist Dr. Robotnik.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a 2022 action-adventure comedy film based on the video game series Sonic the Hedgehog published by Sega. The sequel to Sonic the Hedgehog (2020), it was directed by Jeff Fowler from a screenplay by Pat Casey, Josh Miller, and John Whittington, based on a story by Casey and Miller. James Marsden, Ben Schwartz, Tika Sumpter, Colleen O'Shaughnessey, and Jim Carrey reprise their roles, with Idris Elba joining the cast. In the film, Sonic and Tails must find the Master Emerald before the villainous Dr. Robotnik and his partner Knuckles the Echidna.