X

Join or Sign In

Sign in to customize your TV listings

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 Woods Biography

Birth Name:James Howard Woods

Birth Place:Vernal, Utah, United States

Profession Actor, Producer, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

  • Won $40,000 after placing 24th out of 692 in the 2006 L․A․ Poker Classic
  • Received the Southeastern Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor for his work in "Ghosts of Mississippi․"
  • While attending MIT, he found his passion for acting when he joined the university's theatre group Dramashop
  • Quote: "I just like to pick things that are just different, challenging and that maybe people wouldn't expect me to do or that I wouldn't have done before․"
  • Frequently portrays characters who are eccentric and talk fast
  • Often takes on the role of a sneaky character who delivers wisecracks
  • Received a full scholarship to attend UCLA to study linear algebra, but decided to go to MIT instead
  • Has been interviewed several times by the FBI after informing a flight attendant of two suspicious individuals who were later suspected of being 9/11 hijackers
  • Was offered the role of Mr․ Orange in "Reservoir Dogs," but his agent did not inform him of the part
  • Was the only person in his grade to receive an 800 on the math section of the SAT

Awards

  • 1979KCFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 1979NYFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 1980Golden Globe-Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
  • 1980NSFC Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 1987Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1987Independent Spirit Award-Best Male Lead: winner
  • 1987Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: winner
  • 1987Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special: winner
  • 1988Independent Spirit Award-Best Male Lead: nominated
  • 1988Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 1989Independent Spirit Award-Best Male Lead: nominated
  • 1989Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Performance in Informational Programming: nominated
  • 1989Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special: winner
  • 1990Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 1990Magnolia Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 1993American Television Award-Best Actor in a Made for TV Movie: winner
  • 1993CableACE-Actor in a Movie or Miniseries: nominated
  • 1993Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 1993Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special: nominated
  • 1994CableACE-Actor in a Dramatic Series: nominated
  • 1995ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: nominated
  • 1995CableACE-Actor in a Movie or Miniseries: nominated
  • 1995Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special: nominated
  • 1996Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast: nominated
  • 1996ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: nominated
  • 1996Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 1996Best Actor-: winner
  • 1997Oscar-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 1997CFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 1997Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 1997Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 1997Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1997OFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 1997Golden Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 1997Golden Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama: winner
  • 1997SEFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 1998OFTA Film Award-Best Voice-Over Performance: winner
  • 1999Saturn Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 1999Chainsaw Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2000Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program: winner
  • 2000Sierra Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2001Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: nominated
  • 2001Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2001Golden Satellite Award-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: winner
  • 2003Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
  • 2004Golden Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: winner
  • 2006Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Guest Actor: nominated
  • 2006OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2006Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2007Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Series, Drama: nominated
  • 2011Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie: nominated
  • 2011Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2012Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: nominated
  • 2012ACCA TV-Best Supporting Actor (TV Movie or Mini-Series): nominated