James Harrison Coburn Jr. is an American actor, director, producer and screenwriter who has played more than one hundred and fifty roles in films and TV shows. His career in cinema began in the 50s of the last century. James is known to the audience for his films: The Magnificent Seven, The Hudson Hawk, The Guy Named Flint, The Maverick, The Eraser, The Grief, The Snow Dogs.
Coburn began his creative career with performances on the theatrical stage, then began to appear in television projects and advertisements. His debut in a big movie took place with James in 1959 in the western "The Lone Rider".
Despite the fact that the actor starred in famous films a lot, he received his main award already at the end of his acting career and life. Coburn won an Oscar for his supporting role in the 1997 film Sorrow.
In the mid-80s, James became seriously ill and practically stopped appearing on the screen. During this period, he only occasionally starred on television and studied music, recording songs with the famous performer from England - Lincy de Paul.
When health began to recover, James returned to filming in his favorite westerns and played in a dozen more beautiful films. His most recent film work was roles in the films Snow Dogs and American Pistol.
The actor passed away in 2002 at the age of 74 from a heart attack.
Childhood and adolescence
James was born in the summer of 1928 in the United States to the family of a mechanic and a housewife. His maternal ancestors came to America from Sweden, and his paternal ancestors were from Ireland and Scotland.
After graduating from school, the young man went to the army. After returning home, James began his studies in college, where he learned the basics of dramatic art and acting. Coburn played his first roles on the theater stage, but his dream was to get into a big movie. In the late 50s, James began playing small roles in television projects. During the same period, the artist actively starred in commercials.
Film career
For several years, Coburn worked in various television series, among which were: "Days in Death Valley", "Disneyland", "Alfred Hitchcock Presents", "The Naked City". He got his first role in a big movie in the film "The Lonely Horseman". Then he again played several supporting roles in television and film projects.
Real fame came to Coburn after filming James Bond parody films. He played the main role in the film "A guy named Flint" and actually became the founder of a new genre - spy comedy.
Soon after, a second film about the adventures of Agent Derek Flint called "Flint's Double" appeared on the screens. Coburn played the main role in it again and became one of the most successful actors in Hollywood.
After the overwhelming success in the career of James, there was a certain lull associated with his new hobby. He became actively involved in martial arts, interested in Buddhism and meditation.
James returned to work in the cinema in the 70s. He has starred in films such as Why Live, Why Die, Pal Garrett and Billy the Kid, Bite the Bullet, Hard Times, Sky Riders, The Last Cool Men, Midway, Iron Cross.
The actor received his main cinematic award, the Oscar, only in 1998, for his supporting role in the drama Sorrow.
Personal life
The first wife of the actor was Beverly Kelly. The marriage lasted almost seventeen years and broke up in 1979.
The second wife of James in 1993 was actress Paula O'Hara. They lived together for nine years, until Coburn's death. Paula herself survived her husband by only two years and died at the age of 48 in 2004.
