James Howard Woods, born on April 18, 1947, in Vernal, Utah, is the son of Martha A. (Smith) and Gail Peyton Woods. His father, a U.S. Army intelligence officer, passed away during James’s childhood. With a heritage rooted in Irish, English, and German ancestry, Woods spent his formative years in Warwick, Rhode Island, alongside his mother and stepfather, Thomas E. Dixon. A bright student, he graduated near the top of his class from Pilgrim High School in 1965. Initially on a path towards science, Woods secured a scholarship to the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). However, his passion for the dramatic arts proved stronger. In 1969, during his senior year, he made the pivotal decision to leave MIT and, with his fraternity brother Martin Donovan, ventured to New York City to pursue his acting dreams on stage.
After honing his craft in various New York theater productions, Woods landed his first film role in All the Way Home (1971). He followed this with smaller roles in Jene Jahre in Hollywood (1973) and The Choirboys (1977). However, it was his chilling portrayal of a cop killer in The Onion Field (1979), based on a Joseph Wambaugh novel, that truly catapulted him into the public consciousness and showcased his intense on-screen presence. This role marked a turning point, leading to a string of compelling and diverse characters.
The 1980s saw Woods solidify his position as a major acting force. He reunited with Joseph Wambaugh material in The Black Marble (1980). He then ventured into the surreal with David Cronenberg’s Videodrome (1983), playing the unsettling cable-TV station owner. A career highlight followed with Sergio Leone’s epic Once Upon a Time in America (1984), where he embodied the ruthless gangster Max Bercovicz. His powerful performance as journalist Richard Boyle in Oliver Stone’s Salvador (1986) earned him a Best Actor Academy Award nomination, cementing his status as a critically acclaimed actor known for his dramatic depth.
While celebrated for his dramatic roles, James Woods broadened his horizons in the 1990s and beyond, demonstrating remarkable versatility. He received acclaim for his portrayal of Roy Cohn in the television production Citizen Cohn (1992). He delivered memorable performances as the deceptive Lester Diamond in Casino (1995), the complex H.R. Haldeman in Nixon (1995), the disturbing serial killer Carl Panzram in Killer: A Journal of Murder (1995), and the chilling Byron De La Beckwith in Ghosts of Mississippi (1996). Interestingly, this period also saw Woods step into the world of voice acting, adding another dimension to his already impressive career.
This foray into voice work included lending his distinctive voice to animated projects such as Disney’s Hercules (1997), where he famously voiced the fast-talking, fiery villain Hades. This role, in particular, showcased his comedic timing and ability to create memorable characters even in animation. He further explored voice acting with projects like Hooves of Fire (1999) and Stuart Little 2 (2002). Notably, James Woods also became a recurring guest voice on the animated sitcom Family Guy. He often plays a satirical version of himself, James Woods, in Family Guy, contributing to the show’s signature meta-humor and pop culture references. His appearances in Family Guy have solidified his status not only as a Hollywood heavyweight but also as a recognizable and beloved figure in contemporary animation. His willingness to poke fun at himself and engage with popular animated shows like Family Guy has further endeared him to a wider audience.
Beyond animation, Woods continued to take on diverse live-action roles, appearing in critically acclaimed films like The Virgin Suicides (1999), Riding in Cars with Boys (2001), Any Given Sunday (1999), and the comedy spoof Scary Movie 2 (2001). From intense dramatic performances to comedic voice work in Family Guy, James Woods has consistently proven his exceptional range and talent. He remains a prominent figure in Hollywood, celebrated for his intense characters, versatility, and enduring contributions to both film and television, including his memorable and humorous appearances in Family Guy.
