James Remar

Biography

James Remar is an American actor who was born in Boston and grew up in Newton, Massachusetts. He trained at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City and toured as Kenickie in Grease before he made his film debut in On the Yard. He often played villains, with notable roles including Dutch Schultz in The Cotton Club (1984), Ajax in The Warriors (1979), and later Albert Ganz in 48 Hrs. (1982); the latter two were directed by Walter Hill. He also starred as the Cheyenne Windwalker in Windwalker (1980), speaking Cheyenne. On television he is known for Richard Wright in Sex and the City and for Harry Morgan in Dexter from 2006 to 2013, a role that earned him a Saturn Award nomination. Later work includes Django Unchained (2012), Blade: Trinity (2004), Pineapple Express (2008), Henry L. Stimson in Oppenheimer in 2023, and Peter Gambi in Black Lightning from 2018 to 2021.

72years old

Turns 73 on December 31in 78 days

Born December 31, 1953Boston
Star sign: CapricornThe sign runs December 22 to January 19
Also credited as William James Remar

Movie Career

Films: 62
Career span: 47 years1979 to 2026

Genres

Action39%, 24 films
Drama34%, 21 films
Thriller34%, 21 films
Crime31%, 19 films
Comedy29%, 18 films

First and latest

Photos

Did you know?!

Languages
Remar took a different kind of part in the film Windwalker (1980), playing the young Cheyenne Windwalker. For that role he delivered his lines in the Cheyenne language.
A change of course
At 20, Remar made up his mind to act. Laid off from roofing work, he recalled a summer camp performing job and allowed himself three years to build an acting career before trying something else.
First role
In Florida, Remar won a part in a state staging of Cross and Sword. He went on to play Kenickie in a touring Grease and appeared at the Ensemble Studio Theatre before his film debut.

James Remar movies on Netflix

They Will Kill You2026IMDb rating 6.3as The Pig's Head (voice)
Drugstore June2024IMDb rating 5.4as Arnold
Megalopolis2024IMDb rating 4.6as Charles Cothope
Transformers One2024IMDb rating 7.6as Zeta Prime (voice)
The Noel Diary2022IMDb rating 6.2as Scott Turner
Dead Reckoning2020IMDb rating 3.8as Agent Cantrell
Speed Kills2018IMDb rating 4.4as Meyer Lansky
Can't Buy My Love2017IMDb rating 6.3as Rex
The Blackcoat's Daughter2017IMDb rating 5.9as Bill
The Night Watchmen2017IMDb rating 5.4as Randall
The Saint2017IMDb rating 4.9as Arnold Valecross
Decommissioned2016IMDb rating 3.6as David Marino
USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage2016IMDb rating 5.3as Admiral Parnell
Unnatural2015IMDb rating 4.0as Martin Nakos
Persecuted2014IMDb rating 3.5as John Luther
Horns2013IMDb rating 6.4as Derrick Perrish
Django Unchained2012IMDb rating 8.5as Butch Pooch / Ace Speck
All Superheroes Must Die2011IMDb rating 3.9as Rickshaw
Arena2011IMDb rating 4.7as Agent McCarty
Setup2011IMDb rating 4.4as William Long
Gun2010IMDb rating 3.8as Detective Rogers
National Lampoon Presents: Endless Bummer2009IMDb rating 3.7as Sam Kramer
The Christmas Hope2009IMDb rating 6.6as Mark Addison
The Unborn2009IMDb rating 4.7as Gordon Beldon
Pineapple Express2008IMDb rating 6.9as General Bratt
Ratatouille2007IMDb rating 8.1as Larousse (voice)
Blade: Trinity2004IMDb rating 5.8as Ray Cumberland
The Girl Next Door2004IMDb rating 6.7as Hugo Posh
2 Fast 2 Furious2003IMDb rating 6.0as Agent Markham
Betrayal2003IMDb rating 4.3as Alex Tyler
Duplex2003IMDb rating 5.9as Chick
Fear X2003IMDb rating 6.0as Peter
Hellraiser: Inferno2000IMDb rating 5.4as Dr. Paul Gregory
What Lies Beneath2000IMDb rating 6.6as Warren Feur
Psycho1998IMDb rating 4.6as Patrolman
Mortal Kombat: Annihilation1997IMDb rating 3.6as Rayden
The Phantom1996IMDb rating 5.1as Quill
The Quest1996IMDb rating 5.6as Maxie Devine
Boys on the Side1995IMDb rating 6.5as Alex
Wild Bill1995IMDb rating 5.8as Donnie Lonigan
Blink1994IMDb rating 6.2as Thomas Ridgely
Miracle on 34th Street1994IMDb rating 6.7as Jack Duff
Renaissance Man1994IMDb rating 6.2as Captain Tom Murdoch
Fatal Instinct1993IMDb rating 5.8as Max Shady
Wedlock1991IMDb rating 5.9as Sam
White Fang1991IMDb rating 6.7as Beauty
Fatal Charm1990IMDb rating 4.8as Louis
Night Visions1990IMDb rating 4.7as Sergeant Thomas Mackey
Tales from the Darkside: The Movie1990IMDb rating 6.2as Preston (segment ‘Lover’s Vow’)
Drugstore Cowboy1989IMDb rating 7.2as Gentry
The Dream Team1989IMDb rating 6.5as Gianelli
Rent-a-Cop1987IMDb rating 4.8as Dancer
Band of the Hand1986IMDb rating 6.2as Nestor
Quiet Cool1986IMDb rating 5.7as Joe Dylanne
The Clan of the Cave Bear1986IMDb rating 5.4as Creb
The Cotton Club1984IMDb rating 6.6as Dutch Schultz
48 Hrs.1982IMDb rating 6.9as Albert Ganz
Partners1982IMDb rating 5.3as Edward K. Petersen
Cruising1980IMDb rating 6.5as Gregory
The Long Riders1980IMDb rating 6.9as Sam Starr
Windwalker1980IMDb rating 6.7as Windwalker (young)
The Warriors1979IMDb rating 7.5as Ajax

Best known for

The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.

Top

Django Unchained2012 Drama, Westernas Butch Pooch / Ace Speck
IMDb rating 8.51.9M votes
The Warriors1979 Action, Thrilleras Ajax
IMDb rating 7.5121K votes
2 Fast 2 Furious2003as Agent Markham
IMDb rating 6.0330K votes
The Girl Next Door2004as Hugo Posh
IMDb rating 6.7267K votes
Ratatouille2007as Laroussevoice
IMDb rating 8.1966K votes
What Lies Beneath2000as Warren Feur
IMDb rating 6.6147K votes
Mortal Kombat: Annihilation1997as Rayden
IMDb rating 3.663K votes
48 Hrs.1982as Albert Ganz
IMDb rating 6.994K votes

Most often with

Walter Hill directed four of these films, David S. Goyer two and Gus Van Sant two. Laurence Fishburne appears in four of them, more than any other actor. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.

Top

Laurence Fishburne

Heather Graham

Samuel L. Jackson

Nicolas Cage

Steve Buscemi

Tom Sizemore

Walter HillDirector, 4 films

David S. GoyerDirector, 2 films

Gus Van SantDirector, 2 films

Films together

Laurence Fishburne4 films together, 1984 to 2024
Laurence Fishburne's page
- Megalopolis2024IMDb rating 4.6Remar as Charles CothopeFishburne as Fundi Romaine
- Transformers One2024IMDb rating 7.6Remar as Zeta PrimevoiceFishburne as Alpha Trionvoice
- Band of the Hand1986IMDb rating 6.2Remar as NestorFishburne as Cream
- The Cotton Club1984IMDb rating 6.6Remar as Dutch SchultzFishburne as Bumpy Rhodes
Heather Graham3 films together, 1989 to 2026
Heather Graham's page
- They Will Kill You2026IMDb rating 6.3Remar as The Pig's HeadvoiceGraham as Sharon
- Horns2013IMDb rating 6.4Remar as Derrick PerrishGraham as Veronica
- Drugstore Cowboy1989IMDb rating 7.2Remar as GentryGraham as Nadine
Samuel L. Jackson2 films together, 2011 to 2012
Samuel L. Jackson's page
- Django Unchained2012IMDb rating 8.5Remar as Butch Pooch / Ace SpeckJackson as Stephen
- Arena2011IMDb rating 4.7Remar as Agent McCartyJackson as Logan
Nicolas Cage2 films together, 1984 to 2016
Nicolas Cage's page
- USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage2016IMDb rating 5.3Remar as Admiral ParnellCage as Captain McVay
- The Cotton Club1984IMDb rating 6.6Remar as Dutch SchultzCage as Vincent Dwyer
Steve Buscemi2 films together, 1990 to 2024
Steve Buscemi's page
- Transformers One2024IMDb rating 7.6Remar as Zeta PrimevoiceBuscemi as Starscreamvoice
- Tales from the Darkside: The Movie1990IMDb rating 6.2Remar as Preston (segment ‘Lover’s Vow’)Buscemi as Bellingham (segment "Lot 249")
Tom Sizemore2 films together, 2016 to 2018
Tom Sizemore's page
- Speed Kills2018IMDb rating 4.4Remar as Meyer LanskySizemore as Dwayne Franklin
- USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage2016IMDb rating 5.3Remar as Admiral ParnellSizemore as McWhorter
Walter HillDirector, 4 films, 1979 to 1995
All films by Walter Hill
- Wild Bill1995IMDb rating 5.8Remar as Donnie Lonigan
- 48 Hrs.1982IMDb rating 6.9Remar as Albert Ganz
- The Long Riders1980IMDb rating 6.9Remar as Sam Starr
- The Warriors1979IMDb rating 7.5Remar as Ajax
David S. GoyerDirector, 2 films, 2004 to 2009
All films by David S. Goyer
- The Unborn2009IMDb rating 4.7Remar as Gordon Beldon
- Blade: Trinity2004IMDb rating 5.8Remar as Ray Cumberland
Gus Van SantDirector, 2 films, 1989 to 1998
All films by Gus Van Sant
- Psycho1998IMDb rating 4.6Remar as Patrolman
- Drugstore Cowboy1989IMDb rating 7.2Remar as Gentry
Also two films together41 more actors
- John HurtWild Bill (1995) and Partners (1982)
- Julianne MoorePsycho (1998) and Tales from the Darkside: The Movie (1990)
- Ed Begley Jr.Pineapple Express (2008) and Renaissance Man (1994)
- Patton OswaltRatatouille (2007) and Blade: Trinity (2004)
- Drew BarrymoreDuplex (2003) and Boys on the Side (1995)
- Louis MandylorBetrayal (2003) and The Quest (1996)
- Diane LaneWild Bill (1995) and The Cotton Club (1984)
- James Le GrosPsycho (1998) and Drugstore Cowboy (1989)
- Keith CarradineWild Bill (1995) and The Long Riders (1980)
- Jack McGeeThe Quest (1996) and Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
- Lauren HollyThe Blackcoat's Daughter (2017) and Band of the Hand (1986)
- Roger MooreThe Saint (2017) and The Quest (1996)
- Johnny MessnerDecommissioned (2016) and Arena (2011)
- 50 CentSetup (2011) and Gun (2010)
- Bill SmitrovichThe Phantom (1996) and Band of the Hand (1986)
- John P. RyanRent-a-Cop (1987) and The Cotton Club (1984)
- Sherilyn FennUnnatural (2015) and Fatal Instinct (1993)
- David Patrick Kelly48 Hrs. (1982) and The Warriors (1979)
- Kellan LutzSpeed Kills (2018) and Arena (2011)
- Nicholas TurturroFear X (2003) and Hellraiser: Inferno (2000)
- Jon TenneyThe Phantom (1996) and Night Visions (1990)
- Jackie SandlerDrugstore June (2024) and Duplex (2003)
- Amaury NolascoSpeed Kills (2018) and 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003)
- Paul CalderonGun (2010) and Band of the Hand (1986)
- Pamela ReedThe Clan of the Cave Bear (1986) and The Long Riders (1980)
- Gregory HinesRenaissance Man (1994) and The Cotton Club (1984)
- Madeleine StoweThe Christmas Hope (2009) and Blink (1994)
- Bobby LeeDrugstore June (2024) and Pineapple Express (2008)
- Dennis BoutsikarisBoys on the Side (1995) and The Dream Team (1989)
- Fran RyanQuiet Cool (1986) and The Long Riders (1980)
- Amber VallettaDuplex (2003) and What Lies Beneath (2000)
- Ryan CutronaPsycho (1998) and The Quest (1996)
- Thomas G. WaitesThe Clan of the Cave Bear (1986) and The Warriors (1979)
- Gene DavisFear X (2003) and Cruising (1980)
- Sonny Landham48 Hrs. (1982) and The Warriors (1979)
- Jane LeevesNational Lampoon Presents: Endless Bummer (2009) and Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
- Bart the BearWhite Fang (1991) and Windwalker (1980)
- Kevin BrophyFatal Charm (1990) and The Long Riders (1980)
- Mary Ann ThebusBlink (1994) and Rent-a-Cop (1987)
- Greg NoonanBlink (1994) and Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
- Roslyn AlexanderThe Unborn (2009) and Rent-a-Cop (1987)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.