James Coburn

Born:August 31, 1928

Place of Birth:Laurel, Nebraska, USA

Died:November 18, 2002

Known For:Acting

Biography

James Coburn, born on August 31, 1928, left an indelible mark on the world of film and television during his impressive 45-year career. With a commanding presence and undeniable talent, Coburn graced the screen in nearly 70 films and made over 100 television appearances. His versatility as an actor allowed him to seamlessly transition between a wide range of roles, showcasing his immense skill and depth as a performer.

One of Coburn's most notable achievements was his Academy Award win for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Glen Whitehouse in the film "Affliction." This accolade solidified his status as a respected and accomplished actor in the industry. Beyond his award-winning performance, Coburn's body of work speaks volumes about his dedication to his craft and his ability to captivate audiences with his performances.

Throughout his career, Coburn collaborated with some of the most renowned directors and actors in Hollywood, leaving a lasting impact on the film industry. His magnetic presence on screen, coupled with his charismatic personality off-screen, endeared him to fans and colleagues alike. Coburn's contributions to cinema continue to be celebrated and revered by film enthusiasts around the world.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Coburn was known for his laid-back demeanor and sense of humor, making him a beloved figure both on and off the set. His unique blend of charm, wit, and talent set him apart in an industry known for its larger-than-life personalities. Coburn's ability to effortlessly command the screen while remaining approachable and relatable to audiences is a testament to his exceptional acting abilities.

As a versatile actor, Coburn tackled a wide array of roles, showcasing his range and versatility with each character he portrayed. Whether he was playing a suave spy, a rugged cowboy, or a complex villain, Coburn brought a level of authenticity and depth to his performances that resonated with viewers. His ability to immerse himself in diverse roles and bring them to life with nuance and emotion is a testament to his skill as an actor.

Coburn's legacy in the entertainment industry endures, with his body of work serving as a testament to his talent and dedication to his craft. His influence can be seen in the performances of actors who have been inspired by his work, as well as in the enduring popularity of the films in which he starred. Coburn's impact on the world of cinema is undeniable, and his contributions continue to be celebrated and appreciated by audiences of all generations.

Despite his passing on November 18, 2002, James Coburn's legacy lives on through his iconic performances and the timeless characters he brought to life on screen. His enduring influence on the film industry serves as a reminder of the power of great storytelling and the lasting impact of a truly talented actor. James Coburn will always be remembered as a cinematic legend whose work continues to inspire and entertain audiences around the world.

Images

Filmography

Acting

Monsters, Inc.

Waternoose (voice)

2001

Lovable Sulley and his wisecracking sidekick Mike Wazowski are the top scare team at Monsters, Inc., the scream-processing factory in Monstropolis. When a little girl named Boo wanders into their world, it's the monsters who are scared silly, and it's up to Sulley and Mike to keep her out of sight and get her back home.

The Magnificent Seven

Britt

1960

An oppressed Mexican peasant village hires seven gunfighters to help defend their homes.

The Great Escape

Sedgwick 'Manufacturer'

1963

The Nazis, exasperated at the number of escapes from their prison camps by a relatively small number of Allied prisoners, relocate them to a high-security 'escape-proof' camp to sit out the remainder of the war. Undaunted, the prisoners plan one of the most ambitious escape attempts of World War II. Based on a true story.

Eraser

WitSec Chief Beller

1996

U.S. Marshall John Kruger erases the identities of people enrolled in the Witness Protection Program. His current assignment is to protect Lee Cullen, who's uncovered evidence that the weapons manufacturer she works for has been selling to terrorist groups. When Kruger discovers that there's a corrupt agent within the program, he must guard his own life while trying to protect Lee's.

Payback

Justin Fairfax

1999

With friends like these, who needs enemies? That's the question bad guy Porter is left asking after his wife and partner steal his heist money and leave him for dead -- or so they think. Five months and an endless reservoir of bitterness later, Porter's partners and the crooked cops on his tail learn how bad payback can be.

Charade

Tex Panthollow

1963

After Regina Lampert falls for the dashing Peter Joshua on a skiing holiday in the French Alps, she discovers upon her return to Paris that her husband has been murdered. Soon, she and Peter are giving chase to three of her late husband's World War II cronies, Tex, Scobie and Gideon, who are after a quarter of a million dollars the quartet stole while behind enemy lines.

Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit

Mr. Crisp

1993

Deloris Van Cartier is again asked to don the nun's habit to help a run-down Catholic school, presided over by Mother Superior. And if trying to reach out to a class full of uninterested students wasn't bad enough, the sisters discover that the school is due to be closed by the unscrupulous chief of a local authority.

Maverick

Commodore Duvall

1994

Bret Maverick is a gambler who would rather con someone than fight them, and needs an additional $3k in order to enter a winner-takes-all poker game beginning in a few days. He joins forces with a woman with a marvelous Southern accent, and the two try and enter the game.

The Nutty Professor

Harlan Hartley

1996

When beautiful Carla Purty joins the university faculty, genetic professor Dr. Sherman Klump grows desperate to whittle his 400-pound frame down to size and win her heart. So, with one swig of his experimental fat-reducing serum, Sherman becomes 'Buddy Love', a fast-talking, pumped-up, plumped down Don Juan.

Hudson Hawk

George Kaplan

1991

Eddie Hawkins, called Hudson Hawk has just been released from ten years of prison and is planning to spend the rest of his life honestly. But then the crazy Mayflower couple blackmail him to steal some of the works of Leonardo da Vinci. If he refuses, they threaten to kill his friend Tommy.

The Muppet Movie

El Sleezo Cafe Owner

1979

A Hollywood agent persuades Kermit the Frog to leave the swamp to pursue a career in Hollywood. On his way there, he meets a bear, a pig, a whatever – his future muppet crew – while being chased by the desperate owner of a frog-leg restaurant!

The Player

James Coburn

1992

A Hollywood studio executive is being sent death threats by a writer whose script he rejected - but which one?

Young Guns II

John Simpson Chisum

1990

Three of the original five "young guns" — Billy the Kid, Jose Chavez y Chavez, and Doc Scurlock — return in Young Guns, Part 2, which is the story of Billy the Kid and his race to safety in Old Mexico while being trailed by a group of government agents led by Pat Garrett.

Duck, You Sucker

John H. Mallory

1971

At the beginning of the 1913 Mexican Revolution, greedy bandit Juan Miranda and idealist John H. Mallory, an Irish Republican Army explosives expert on the lam from the British, fall in with a band of revolutionaries plotting to strike a national bank. When it turns out that the government has been using the bank as a hiding place for illegally detained political prisoners -- who are freed by the blast -- Miranda becomes a revolutionary hero against his will.

Snow Dogs

Thunder Jack

2002

When a Miami dentist inherits a team of sled dogs, he's got to learn the trade or lose his pack to a crusty mountain man.

Our Man Flint

Derek Flint

1966

When scientists use eco-terrorism to impose their will on the world by affecting extremes in the weather, Intelligence Chief Cramden calls in top agent Derek Flint.

Cross of Iron

Unteroffizier / Feldwebel Rolf Steiner

1977

It is 1943, and the German army—ravaged and demoralised—is hastily retreating from the Russian front. In the midst of the madness, conflict brews between the aristocratic yet ultimately pusillanimous Captain Stransky and the courageous Corporal Steiner. Stransky is the only man who believes that the Third Reich is still vastly superior to the Russian army. However, within his pompous persona lies a quivering coward who longs for the Iron Cross so that he can return to Berlin a hero. Steiner, on the other hand is cynical, defiantly non-conformist and more concerned with the safety of his own men rather than the horde of military decorations offered to him by his superiors.

Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid

Pat Garrett

1973

Pat Garrett is hired as a lawman on behalf of a group of wealthy New Mexico cattle barons to bring down his old friend Billy the Kid.

Looker

John Reston

1981

Plastic surgeon Larry Roberts performs a series of minor alterations on a group of models who are seeking perfection. The operations are a resounding success. But when someone starts killing his beautiful patients, Dr. Roberts becomes suspicious and starts investigating. What he uncovers are the mysterious - and perhaps murderous - activities of a high-tech computer company called Digital Matrix.

California Suite

Actor in Diana's Movie (uncredited)

1978

The misadventures of four groups of guests at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

The Cherokee Kid

Cyrus Bloomington

1996

Isaih Turner didn’t want to be a hero-all he wanted was revenge. Orphaned when both his parents were cruelly murdered by the wealthy and powerful Cyrus Bloomington, the young Isaiah grew up with one air in mind: to find the man who killed his folks and take him down.

Production

Convoy

Second Unit Director

1978

Trucker Rubber Duck and his buddies Pig Pen, Widow Woman and Spider Mike use their CB radios to warn one another of the presence of cops. But conniving Sheriff Wallace is hip to the truckers' tactics, and begins tricking the drivers through his own CB broadcasts. Facing constant harassment from the law, Rubber Duck and his pals use their radios to coordinate a vast convoy and rule the road.