Join or Sign In

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

James Cromwell Biography

Birth Name:James Oliver Cromwell

Birth Place:Los Angeles, California, United States

Profession Actor, Soundtrack, Producer

Fast Facts

As of his Oscar nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in "Babe," he was the tallest person ever to be nominated for an Academy Award
Won the King Vidor Memorial Award at the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival in 2007
Originally wanted to be a mechanical engineer and studied the subject at Middlebury College in Vermont and the Carnegie Institute of Technology
Quote: "This government, and this country belong to us․ But we have to take responsibility for it, we have to participate in it․"
Was arrested for bursting into a University of Wisconsin Board of Regents meeting to protest supposed mistreatment of cats, but was released with a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct that afternoon
A versatile character actor, he has played good guys like a kindly farmer in Babe and bad guys like a crooked police captain in "L․A․ Confidential․"
Often utilizes his 6 foot 7 inch frame to play figures of authority
Became an ethical vegan while working with the farm animals on the set of ""Babe," and has since gotten involved with PETA and Farm Sanctuary to draw attention to the treatment of pigs and other animals
Believes that intelligent life exists somewhere in the universe
Though he spoke out against President George W․ Bush's administration, he played his father in "W․"

Awards

1995ACCA-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
1996Oscar-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
1996Chlotrudis Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
1998Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast: nominated
1999ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: nominated
2000Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Theatrical Motion Picture: nominated
2000Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Supporting Actor - Suspense: nominated
2000OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
2000Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
2001OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series: winner
2001Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2003Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2003Bronze Wrangler-Theatrical Motion Picture: winner
2005Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
2005Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Supporting Actor: nominated
2005Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Bad Guy: nominated
2006Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
2006DVDX Award-Best Supporting Actor (in a DVD Premiere Movie): nominated
2012Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
2012CinEuphoria-Best Ensemble - International Competition: nominated
2012Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
2013Canadian Screen Award-Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: winner
2013Critics' Choice TV Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Movie/Miniseries: nominated
2013Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Supporting Actor: nominated
2013OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
2013Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie: winner
2013Golden Space Needle Award-Best Actor: winner
2014Movies for Grownups Award-Best Grownup Love Story: nominated
2015BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Male Vocal Performance in a Feature Film in a Supporting Role: nominated
2015BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film: nominated
2017OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture or Limited Series: nominated
2019Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Guest Actor: nominated
2019INOCA TV-Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series: winner
2019OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series: winner
2020Accolade Global Film Competiton-Actor: Leading: winner
2020Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Guest Actor: nominated
2020OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series: winner
2020Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2022OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2022Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2023Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Guest Actor: nominated
2023OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2023Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2024Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries and Limited Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated