James Spader

About

James Spader is an American actor known for his distinctive voice and eccentric roles in both film and television. Born on February 7, 1960, in Boston, Massachusetts, Spader dropped out of school to pursue acting and got his breakthrough role in the 1986 film "Pretty in Pink". He built his film career playing peculiar characters in movies like "Sex, Lies, and Videotape", "Stargate", and "Secretary". In the 2000s, Spader transitioned to television with notable roles in "The Practice", its spinoff "Boston Legal", for which he won three Emmy Awards, and "The Office". Since 2013, he has been starring as Raymond "Red" Reddington in the NBC crime thriller "The Blacklist".

Associated With

James Spader, a prominent actor in the film and television industry, has made numerous associations throughout his career. Notable collaborations include working with director Steven Soderbergh in the film “sex, lies, and videotape,” which granted him critical acclaim. He also worked multiple times with actor William Shatner, firstly in “Boston Legal” and later with "The Practice". His long-standing role in "The Blacklist" has also led him to work with actors like Megan Boone. Outside of the professional scene, Spader was once engaged to actress Leslie Stefanson and has a child with her. He previously had relationships with actresses Victoria Kheel and Maggie Gyllenhaal, the former of whom he was married to and had two kids with.

Career Highlights

• 1981: James Spader began his acting career with minor roles in films like "Endless Love" and "Team-Mates."
• 1986: Spader gained fame playing the rich, arrogant playboy Steff in "Pretty in Pink."
• 1987: He was honored with the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival for his role in "Wall Street."
• 1989: Spader earned critical acclaim for his performance in the film "Sex, Lies, and Videotape." He won the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival for this performance.
• 2000: He won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his role in "The Practice."
• 2004-2008: Spader won three Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his portrayal of Alan Shore in "The Practice" and its spin-off "Boston Legal."
• 2009: Spader made his Broadway debut in David Mamet's "Race," earning a Drama League Award nomination.
• 2011: Spader joined the cast of the popular TV series "The Office" for its eighth season, playing the enigmatic Robert California.
• 2013-Present: He stars as Raymond 'Red' Reddington in the crime drama "The Blacklist," for which he has received two Golden Globe Award nominations.
• 2015: Spader played the villain Ultron in the Marvel's blockbuster "Avengers: Age of Ultron."

Notable Awards

• James Spader has won several notable awards throughout his acting career. Some of these include:
• Emmy Award: He has won three Primetime Emmy Awards. Two for "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series" for his role as Alan Shore in "Boston Legal" in 2004 and 2005, and one for "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series" for his role as Alan Shore in "The Practice" in 2004.
• Boston Society of Film Critics Awards: He won the "Best Actor" award for his role in "Sex, Lies, and Videotape" in 1989.
• Cannes Film Festival: He was awarded the "Best Actor" for his role in "Sex, Lies, and Videotape" in 1989.
• Satellite Awards: He won the "Best Actor in a Series, Drama" for his role in "Boston Legal" in 2006.
• Screen Actors Guild Awards: He was part of the cast of "The Practice" which won the "Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series" in 2004.

FAQs

What Is the Most Popular James Spader Movie/TV Show?

One of the most popular TV shows that James Spader has starred in is "The Blacklist." Premiering in 2013, this American crime thriller television series features Spader as Raymond 'Red' Reddington, a high-profile criminal who voluntarily surrenders to the FBI and offers to help them track down and apprehend other criminals across the globe. His enigmatic personality and intricate web of connections make this character absolutely fascinating, contributing to the show's immense popularity.

How Did James Spader Get Famous?

James Spader is an American actor who gained prominence and success through his work in a variety of films and television series. His breakthrough role came in the 1980s with films like "Pretty in Pink" and "Sex, Lies, and Videotape", the latter earning him the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival. Spader's fame further skyrocketed with his roles in popular TV series such as "Boston Legal" and "The Practice," for which he won three Emmy Awards. He's also well known for his role as the character 'Raymond Reddington' in the TV series "The Blacklist".