In the '80s, Spader made his name playing a string of memorable big-screen baddies, from scummy rich kids (
Pretty in Pink) to scheming yuppies (
Wall Street). But
sex, lies and videotape, which capitalized on his pretty-boy looks and offbeat sexuality, turned him into a leading man. Although he never lacked for work, his career never quite took off, and Spader languished in substandard fare throughout most of the '90s. But his kinky turn as an S&M obsessed lawyer in 2002's
Secretary reminded Hollywood what he was capable of and the next year he found his greatest success to date as an ethically challenged lawyer on the final season of
The Practice and its 2004 spin-off
Boston Legal. Off screen, Spader has very poor eyesight and cannot tolerate contact lenses, so many of his characters wear glasses.
James Spader Fast Facts:
- Jobs before becoming a successful actor included yoga instructor, busboy, truck driver, stable boy and railroad-car loader.
- Studied acting at the Michael Chekhov School in New York.
- Has extremely poor eyesight and cannot wear contacts. Has said that when his characters do not wear glasses he can barely make out the faces of the other actors in the scene.
- Received Emmys in two consecutive years for portraying the same character in two series: The Practice in 2004 and Boston Legal in 2005.
- James Spader Relationships:
- Victoria Kheel - Ex-wife
- Elijah Spader - Son
- Sebastian Spader - Son
- Jean Spader - Mother
- Todd Spader - Father
- Leslie Stefanson - Significant Other
- James Spader Awards:
- 2004 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series - Winner
- 2005 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series - Winner
- 2005 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama - Nominee
- 2007 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series - Winner
- 2008 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series - Nominee
- 2008 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series - Nominee
- 2008 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series - Nominee
- 2007 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series - Nominee
- 2007 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series - Nominee
- 2006 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series - Nominee
- 2006 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series - Nominee
- 2005 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series - Nominee
- 2005 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series - Nominee
- 2011 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series - Nominee
- 2012 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture - Nominee