James Cromwell
James Oliver Cromwell (born January 27, 1940) is an American film and television actor. He is best known for his role as Dr. Zefram Cochrane in “Star Trek: First Contact,” as well as his roles in “Babe,” “L.A. Confidential,” and “Spider-Man 3.” He has been nominated for an Oscar, three Emmy Awards, and four Screen Actors Guild Awards during his career.
Cromwell was born in Los Angeles, California and was raised in Manhattan, New York. He was adopted by actress Kay Johnson and actor, director and producer John Cromwell, who was blacklisted during the McCarthy era. He was educated at The Hill School, Middlebury College and Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University), where he studied engineering. Like both his parents, he was drawn to the theater, doing everything from Shakespeare to experimental plays.
He has long been an advocate of leftist causes. In an October 2008 interview, he strongly attacked the Republican Party and the George W. Bush administration, saying their controversial foreign policy would "either destroy us or the entire planet." He became a vegetarian in 1974 after seeing a stockyard in Texas and experiencing the "smell, terror and anxiety." He became an ethical vegan while playing the character of Farmer Hoggett in the movie Babe in 1995. He frequently speaks out on issues regarding animal cruelty for PETA, largely the treatment of pigs.
Cromwell was married to Anne Ulvestad from 1976 to 1986. They had three children. He married his second wife, Julie Cobb, on May 29, 1986.
Acting
Movie
The Green Mile
as Warden Hal Moores
1999
Movie
Big Hero 6
as Professor Robert Callaghan (voice)
2014
Movie
Spider-Man 3
as Captain Stacy
2007
Movie
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
as Benjamin Lockwood
2018
Movie
I, Robot
as Dr. Alfred Lanning
2004
TV
American Horror Story
as Dr. Arthur Arden
2011
Movie
L.A. Confidential
as Dudley Smith
1997
Movie
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
as The Colonel (voice)
2002
Movie
The Longest Yard
as Warden Hazen
2005
Movie
The Artist
as Clifton
2011
Movie
Surrogates
as Dr. Lionel Canter
2009
Movie
Deep Impact
as Alan Rittenhouse
1998
Movie
Babe
as Farmer Hoggett
1995
Movie
Eraser
as William Donohue
1996
Movie
The Sum of All Fears
as President Fowler
2002
Movie
Star Trek: First Contact
as Dr. Zefram Cochrane
1996
TV
24
as Phillip Bauer
2001
TV
Star Trek: The Next Generation
as Prime Minister Nayrok
1987
TV
Star Trek: The Next Generation
as Jaglom Shrek
1987
TV
Succession
as Ewan Roy
2018
Movie
Rebel Ridge
as Judge
2024
Movie
Space Cowboys
as Bob Gerson
2000
Movie
The Queen
as Prince Philip
2006
TV
Knight Rider
as Curtis
1982
