Person · Actor
Steve James
In short · Acted for six decades — 48 credits.
Remembered for
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Biography
Steve James (February 19, 1952 – December 18, 1993) was an American actor, stunt man, and martial artist. He was known for his appearances in low-budget action films, including the *American Ninja* series, *The Delta Force* (1986), *The Exterminator* (1980), and *Enter the Game of Death* (1978). James also appeared as Kung Fu Joe in the 1988 film comedy/spoof *I'm Gonna Git You Sucka*, as well as in the 1990 television pilot spinoff *Hammer, Slammer, and Slade*.
Filmography · 42 of 42
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Director
10 credits
A Compassionate Spy(2022)
Director
Film
Abacus: Small Enough to Jail(2016)
Director
Film
Head Games(2012)
Director
Film
Head Games(2012)
Director
TV
The Interrupters(2011)
Director
Film
At the Death House Door(2008)
Director
Film
Reel Paradise(2005)
Director
Film
Joe and Max(2002)
Director
Film
Passing Glory(1999)
Director
Film
Prefontaine(1997)
Director
Film
Actor
31 credits
Blue Fish(2023)
The Old Fish-man
FilmCollege Girls(2021)
College Professor
TVThird Son: The Black Files(2017)
Vigilante
TV
Managing Manhattan(2016)
Rex
Film
DC's Legends of Tomorrow(2016)
Bus Driver (1 Episode)
TVFloating Away(2015)
Rob
Film
Mind Janitors(2015)
Charles
TV
Hoop Dreams(1994)
Narrator (voice)
Film
Bloodfist V: Human Target(1994)
Marcus
Film
M.A.N.T.I.S.(1994)
Antoine Pike
Film
Weekend at Bernie's II(1993)
Henry
Film
The Player(1992)
Steve James
Film
McBain(1991)
Eastland
Film
Street Hunter(1990)
Logan Blade
Film
Riverbend(1989)
Maj. Samuel Quentin
Film
American Ninja 3: Blood Hunt(1989)
Curtis Jackson
Film
Hero and the Terror(1988)
Robinson
Film
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka(1988)
Kung Fu Joe
Film
Johnny Be Good(1988)
Coach Sanders
Film
American Ninja 2: The Confrontation(1987)
Jackson
Film
Avenging Force(1986)
Larry Richards
Film
C.A.T. Squad(1986)
Bud Raines
Film
P.O.W. The Escape(1986)
Sgt. Johnston
Film
American Ninja(1985)
Jackson
Film
To Live and Die in L.A.(1985)
Jeff Rice
Film
Weird Science(1985)
Guy at Table (uncredited)
Film
The Brother from Another Planet(1984)
Odell
Film
The Soldier(1982)
The Soldier's Force
Film
The Exterminator(1980)
Michael Jefferson
Film
The Warriors(1979)
Baseball Fury
Film
Producer
1 credit
Awards & Nominations
2 nominationsAcademy Awards
- Nom2017Oscar — Documentary (feature)
- Nom1994Oscar — Film Editing
Representation
- Agent
Gersh Agency· Updated Jun 10, 2026
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Additional credits6Show
Non-headline appearances — talk-show, awards-show, panel, and archive-footage credits, kept separate from the main filmography.
- BiasSelf · 2018
- Life ItselfSelf · 2014
- StevieSelf · 2002
- Orientations: Chris Doyle - Stirred But Not ShakenSelf · 2001
- Hellraiser 2Self (archive footage) · 2000
- Cinema of VengeanceSelf · 1994
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