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James Remar
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James Remar
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William James Remar (born December 31, 1953) is an American actor. Highlights of his four decades-long career in film include his portrayals of Ajax in The Warriors (1979), Albert Ganz in 48 Hrs. (1982), Dutch Schultz in The Cotton Club (1984), and Jack Duff in Miracle on 34th Street (1994). In television, he is best known for playing Richard Wright in Sex and the City (2001–2004), and Harry Morgan, the father of the title character, in Dexter (2006–2013) and Dexter: Resurrection (2025). Since 2009, he has done voice-over work in ads for Lexus luxury cars.[1] Remar studied acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City.

Key Information

Remar's more recent roles include Frank Gordon in Gotham from 2016 to 2019; Peter Gambi in Black Lightning from 2018 to 2021; and Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson in Oppenheimer in 2023.

Early life

[edit]

William James Remar was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on December 31, 1953. He is the son of Elizabeth (née Boyle), who worked in mental health affairs for the state of Massachusetts, and Roy Remar, who was an attorney.[2][3] His father was of Russian-Jewish descent, while his mother was a native of England and of Irish descent. He has three sisters and two brothers.[4] Remar grew up with his family in Newton, Massachusetts.[5]

Remar dropped out of high school when he was 15, although he attended what he described as "kind of an alternative school" for a year afterwards. He then traveled around the United States, briefly playing guitar in a rock band. Eventually, he returned home and went back to high school, although he decided not to attend college after graduating. Remar has said he decided to become an actor when he was 20; after he was laid off from his job as a roofer, he remembered a previous job performing at a summer camp, and said he would give himself three years to attempt an acting career before he would try something else.[3]

In Florida, Remar earned a role in a state production of Cross and Sword.[3] Afterwards, he studied at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre, but was not asked back after his first year, which he described as "a devastating experience". Remar continued searching for other acting jobs, eventually landing the part of Kenickie in a touring production of Grease, and also performed at the Ensemble Studio Theatre, before making his film debut in On the Yard.[6]

Career

[edit]

Films

[edit]

Remar has spent the majority of his film career playing villains. He portrayed the violent gang member Ajax in the cult film The Warriors (1979),[7] and the murdering sociopath Albert Ganz in the hit 48 Hrs. (1982). Both films were directed by Walter Hill. Remar also played real-life 1930s-era gangster Dutch Schultz in The Cotton Club (1984).[8]

In contrast to these roles, Remar starred in the film Windwalker (1980) as the young Cheyenne Windwalker, for which he spoke his lines in the Cheyenne language.[9] He also portrayed a gay man in the film Cruising (1980). That same year, Remar had a cameo in the Western The Long Riders (1980) in a bar fight scene with David Carradine.

He was the star of the film Quiet Cool (1986) and was cast as Corporal Hicks in the science-fiction/horror film Aliens (1986), but was replaced by Michael Biehn shortly into filming after being arrested for drug possession.[10] At least one piece of footage featuring Remar made it into the final version of the film: when the Marines enter the processing station and the camera tilts down from the Alien nest, though Remar is not seen in close-up.[11] He is also filmed from the back as the Marines first enter the compound on LV-426 and when "Hicks" approaches the cocooned woman, again filmed from the rear so the viewer is unable to tell it is Remar and not Michael Biehn.[12]

He played Quill, one of the main villains in The Phantom (1996).[13] In 1994 he played a supporting role in the film Renaissance Man, then appeared in Mortal Kombat Annihilation (1997), the sequel to the film Mortal Kombat (1995), taking over the role of Raiden from Christopher Lambert. He then followed this with a role in the direct-to-video science fiction film Robo Warriors (1996). Other films include Psycho (1998), in which he played the patrolman,[14] Drugstore Cowboy (1989), Tales from the Darkside: The Movie (1990), Wedlock (1991), Boys on the Side (1995), The Quest (1996), Rites of Passage (1999), Hellraiser: Inferno (2000), 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003), Fear X (2003), Blade: Trinity (2004), and The Girl Next Door (2004). He played a brief role as General Bratt in the prologue of Pineapple Express (2008). He also had a role in the horror film The Unborn (2009), alongside C.S. Lee, who portrays Vince Masuka in Dexter. He also played the father of Olivia Grey in Feed (2017).

Remar appeared in the film X-Men: First Class (2011) and voiced the Autobot Sideswipe in the film Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011), replacing André Sogliuzzo.[15] He was also cast in the heist film Setup (2011) and starred in the film Arena (2011).

Remar played two different, unrelated characters in Quentin Tarantino's film Django Unchained (2012): Ace Speck and Butch Pooch.[16] He starred, alongside Emma Roberts, Lucy Boynton, and Lauren Holly, in the thriller film The Blackcoat's Daughter (2015).[17]

Television

[edit]

Remar's television appearances include the series Miami Vice, Hill Street Blues, Sex and the City (as the on-again, off-again boyfriend of Kim Cattrall's character),[18] Tales from the Crypt, Jericho, Third Watch, Justice League Unlimited, and Battlestar Galactica.[19] He also appeared as a possessed mental patient in The X-Files ninth-season episode "Dæmonicus".[20] He starred as Tiny Bellows on the short-lived television series The Huntress (2000–2001).[21] He appeared in the miniseries The Grid (2004) as Hudson "Hud", the love interest of Julianna Margulies's character.[22] He had a recurring guest role in the 2006 television series Jericho on CBS. Remar guest-starred in the CBS crime drama Numbers, playing a weapons dealer who later turns good and helps the FBI.

From 2006 to 2013, Remar co-starred in Dexter on Showtime. He was nominated for a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Dexter Morgan's adoptive father, Harry Morgan.[23]

In 2010, he played guest roles as Giuseppe Salvatore in The CW series The Vampire Diaries[24] and as James Ermine, a general for Jericho, a black-ops military contractor, on FlashForward.

He also voiced Vilgax in the animated television series Ben 10: Alien Force and Ben 10: Ultimate Alien, replacing Steve Blum. He guest-starred in Private Practice in 2010, playing a physician named Gibby, who works with Doctors Without Borders.[25] On July 23, 2017, Remar was cast as Peter Gambi on the superhero drama Black Lightning.[26] The series would run for four seasons from January 2018 to May 2021, Remar's Gambi a series regular for its entirety.[27] He would then be cast in a recurring role on The Rookie as Tom Bradford, Tim’s father.[28] He was later cast as General Shaw in It: Welcome to Derry, a television series prequel to the 2017 supernatural horror film It, which released on HBO in 2025.[29] In December 2024, it was reported that he would reprise his role as Harry Morgan in Dexter: Resurrection, which premiered in 2025.[30][31]

Personal life

[edit]

In 1984, he married Atsuko Remar.[32] They have two children.[33][34] He speaks conversational Japanese.[35]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Reference(s)
1978 On the Yard Larson [36][37]
1979 The Warriors Ajax
1980 Cruising Gregory
The Long Riders Sam Starr
Windwalker Young Windwalker
1982 Partners Edward K. Petersen
48 Hrs. Albert Ganz
1984 The Cotton Club Dutch Schultz
1986 The Clan of the Cave Bear Creb
Band of the Hand Nestor
Quiet Cool Officer Joe Dylanne
1987 Rent-A-Cop Dancer
1989 The Dream Team Gianelli
Drugstore Cowboy Gentry
1990 Tales from the Darkside: The Movie Preston Segment: "Lover's Vow"
1991 White Fang "Beauty" Smith
Wedlock Sam
1992 The Tigress Andrei
1993 Fatal Instinct Max Shady
Blink Thomas Ridgely
1994 Renaissance Man Captain Tom Murdoch
Miracle on 34th Street Jack Duff
1995 Boys on the Side Alex
The Surgeon Dr. Benjamin Hendricks
Judge Dredd Monroe, Block Warlord Uncredited [37]
Wild Bill Donnie Lonigan [36][37]
1996 The Quest Maxie Devine
The Phantom Quill
1997 Mortal Kombat Annihilation Lord Raiden
1998 Psycho Highway Patrolman
1999 Rites of Passage Frank Dabbo
2000 Blowback John Matthew Whitman / Schmidt
What Lies Beneath Warren Feur
Hellraiser: Inferno Dr. Paul Gregory
2003 Fear X Peter
2 Fast 2 Furious United States Customs Agent Markham
Duplex Chick
2004 The Girl Next Door Hugo Posh
Blade: Trinity FBI Agent Ray Cumberland
2007 Ratatouille Larousse Voice [36][37][38]
2008 Pineapple Express General Bratt [36][37]
2009 The Unborn Gordon Beldon
2B Tom Mortlake
Endless Bummer Sam Kramer [37]
2010 Gun Detective Rogers
Red Gabriel Singer [36][37]
2011 The FP Narrator Voice
X-Men: First Class United States General
Transformers: Dark of the Moon Sideswipe Voice [36][37][38]
Setup William Long [37]
Arena Agent Sam McCarty / Sam Lord
Vs Rickshaw
2012 Django Unchained "Ace" Speck, Butch Pooch [36][37]
2013 Horns Derrick Perrish
2014 Persecuted John Luther
Lap Dance Patrick Moore [37]
2015 The Blackcoat's Daughter Bill
Eden Coach DaFoe
Papa: Hemingway in Cuba Santo Trafficante Jr. [36][37]
2016 USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage Rear Admiral William S. Parnell
2017 The Night Watchmen Randall [39]
The Saint Arnold Valecross [37]
Feed Tom Grey
2018 Speed Kills Meyer Lansky
2019 Once Upon a Time in Hollywood "Ugly Owl" Hoot Scene deleted [36][37]
2020 Dead Reckoning Agent Richard Cantrell [37]
2022 The Noel Diary Scott Turner
2023 Oppenheimer Henry L. Stimson [37][40]
2024 Drugstore June Arnold [37]
Megalopolis Charles Cothope [37][41]
Transformers One Zeta Prime Voice [37][38]
2026 The Odyssey † TBA Post-production [42]

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Reference(s)
1981 Hill Street Blues Cooper Episode: "Rites of Spring" [37]
1984 The Mystic Warrior Pesla Television film [36][37]
1985 Miami Vice Robbie Cann Episode: "Buddies" [37]
1987 The Equalizer Tremayne Episode: "High Performance"
The Hitchhiker Ron Episode: "Homebodies"
Crime Story Smilin' Jack Episode: "Blast from the Past"
1989 Desperado: The Outlaw Wars John Sikes Television film [36][37]
1990 Kojak: None So Blind Wolfgang Reiger [36]
Night Visions Sergeant Thomas Mackey [36][37]
1991 Session Man McQueen
Tales from the Crypt Red Buckley Episode: "Dead Wait" [37]
Brotherhood of the Gun Frank Weir Television film [36][37]
1992 Strangers Bernard
Indecency Mick Clarkson
1996 Cutty Whitman Cutty Whitman
1997 Total Security Frank Cisco 13 episodes [37]
1998 Inferno Dr. Coleman West Television film [36][37]
1999 Walker, Texas Ranger Keith Bolt Episode: "The Principal" [37]
2000 18 Wheels of Justice Mitch Davis / "Gabriel" Episode: "Wages of Sin"
2000–2001 The Huntress Tiny Bellows 28 episodes [36][37]
2001 Nash Bridges Mark Lee Page Episode: "Fair Game" [37]
7th Heaven James Carver 2 episodes
Strong Medicine Guy Falls Episode: "Systemic"
The X-Files Professor Josef Kobold Episode: "Dæmonicus"
Justice League Lead Manhunter Voice, episode: "In Blackest Night" [37][38]
2001–2004 Sex and the City Richard Wright 12 episodes [37]
2002 The Twilight Zone Alois Hitler Episode: "Cradle of Darkness"
Third Watch Detective Madjanski 4 episodes
2003 Peacemakers Cole Hawkins Episode: "Legend of the Gun"
Without a Trace Lucas Vohland Episode: "Confidence"
2004 The Grid Hudson "Hud" Benoit Miniseries [36][37]
The Survivors Club Roan Griffin Television film [36]
Ike: Countdown to D-Day General Omar Bradley [36][37]
Meltdown Colonel Boggs
North Shore Vincent Colville 21 episodes [37]
2005 Battlestar Galactica Meier 2 episodes
2005–2006 Justice League Unlimited Hawkman, Shadow Thief Voice, 2 episodes [37][38]
2006 CSI: Miami Capt. Quentin Taylor Episode: "Open Water" [37]
Thief Agent Patterson Miniseries
2006–2007 Jericho Jonah Prowse 5 episodes
2006–2008 The Batman Black Mask Voice, 3 episodes [38]
2006–2013 Dexter Harry Morgan 96 episodes [37]
2007 Sharpshooter Dillon Television film [36][37]
2008 Eli Stone Salinsky Episode: "Praying for Time" [37]
2009 The Unit Reece Episode: "Hero"
Criminal Minds Tom Benton Episode: "Demonology"
The Spectacular Spider-Man Walter Hardy Voice, episode: "Opening Night" [38]
The Christmas Hope Mark Addison Television film [36][37]
2009–2010 Batman: The Brave and the Bold Harvey Dent / Two-Face Voice, 2 episodes [38]
Ben 10: Alien Force Vilgax Voice, 7 episodes
2010 D.R.E.A.M. Team Shawn Murphy Television film [37]
Numb3rs Randall Priest Episode: "Arm in Arms"
FlashForward James Ermine Episode: "Blowback"
The Vampire Diaries Giuseppe Salvatore 2 episodes
Private Practice Gibby Episode: "Playing God"
2011 Human Target Warden Cole Episode: "Cool Hand Guerrero"
Hawaii Five-0 Elliott Connor Episode: "Ua Hiki Mai Kapalena Pau"
Young Justice Joar Mahkent / Icicle Sr., Wilcox Voice, episode: "Terrors" [37][38]
Pound Puppies Sarge Voice, episode: "The K9 Kid" [38]
2011–2012 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien Vilgax Voice, 5 episodes
2012 Hatfields & McCoys Joe Hatfield Miniseries
2013–2014 Beware the Batman Silver Monkey Voice, 3 episodes [38]
The Legend of Korra Tonraq Voice, 14 episodes [37][38]
Grey's Anatomy James Evans 6 episodes [37]
Wilfred Henry Newman 5 episodes
2014 From Dusk till Dawn: The Series Ray Gecko Episode: "Boxman"
2014–2015 State of Affairs Syd Vaslo 9 episodes
2016 The Shannara Chronicles Cephalo 7 episodes
2017 Gotham Frank Gordon 3 episodes
NCIS: Los Angeles Admiral Sterling Bridges 3 episodes
The Path Kodiak 9 episodes
2018–2021 Black Lightning Peter Gambi 58 episodes
Main role
2018–2023 Magnum P.I. Captain Buck Greene 6 episodes
2019 Animal Kingdom Detective Andre 4 episodes
City on a Hill Richy Ryan 5 episodes
Recurring role 		[37][43]
2021 Creepshow Raymond Bateman Episode: "Skeletons in the Closet" [44]
The Rookie Tom Bradford Episode: "Breakdown" [28]
2022 Yellowstone Kyle Fremont Episode: "The Sting of Wisdom" [37]
2023 Paul T. Goldman Lieutenant Newman 2 episodes
2024 Dexter: Final Cut Himself Aftershow
Episode: "Dexter: Original Sin 104 Jamie Chung & James Remar"
2025 Dexter's Kill Room Episode: "Harry's Code Begins — James Remar Revisits Popping Cherry"
Dexter: Resurrection Harry Morgan 10 episodes
Main role 		[30][31]
It: Welcome to Derry General Francis Shaw 7 episodes
Main role 		[45][29]
2026 Trinity President Paul Barnard [46]

Video games

[edit]
Year Title Role Reference(s)
2005 The Warriors Ajax [38]
2010 Batman: The Brave and the Bold – The Videogame Harvey Dent/Two-Face
2011 Killzone 3 Captain Jason Narville
2014 Destiny Executor Hideo, New Monarchy Merchant [47]
2017 Destiny 2
2022 Destiny 2: The Witch Queen

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Work Result
2007 Saturn Award Best Supporting Television Actor Dexter Nominated
2009 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Shared with Preston Bailey, Julie Benz, Jennifer Carpenter, Valerie Cruz, Kristin Dattilo, Michael C. Hall, Desmond Harrington, C. S. Lee, Jason Manuel Olazabal, David Ramsey, Christina Robinson, Jimmy Smits, Luna Lauren Velez and David Zayas Nominated
2010 Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Shared with Preston Bailey, Julie Benz, Jennifer Carpenter, Brando Eaton, Courtney Ford, Michael C. Hall, Desmond Harrington, C. S. Lee, John Lithgow, Rick Peters, Christina Robinson, Luna Lauren Velez and David Zayas Nominated
2011 Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Shared with Jennifer Carpenter, April Lee Hernández, Michael C. Hall, Desmond Harrington, Maria Doyle Kennedy, C. S. Lee, Jonny Lee Miller, Julia Stiles, Luna Lauren Velez, Peter Weller and David Zayas Nominated
2012 San Diego Film Critics Society Award Best Ensemble Performance Shared with Leonardo DiCaprio, Samuel L. Jackson, Jonah Hill, Christoph Waltz, Jamie Foxx, Kerry Washington, Zoë Bell, Don Johnson, Walton Goggins and Bruce Dern Django Unchained Nominated
Saturn Award The Life Career Award N/a Won
Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Shared with Billy Brown, Jennifer Carpenter, Josh Cooke, Aimee Garcia, Michael C. Hall, Colin Hanks, Desmond Harrington, Rya Kihlstedt, C. S. Lee, Edward James Olmos, Luna Lauren Velez and David Zayas Dexter Nominated
2013 Gold Derby Award Ensemble Cast Shared with Dennis Christopher, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Foxx, Walton Goggins, Samuel L. Jackson, Don Johnson, Christoph Waltz and Kerry Washington Django Unchained Nominated
2014 Behind the Voice Actors Award People's Choice Voice Acting Award Shared with Janet Varney, Dee Bradley Baker, David Faustino, P.J. Byrne, J. K. Simmons, Mindy Sterling, Seychelle Gabriel, Aubrey Plaza, Aaron Himelstein, John Michael Higgins, Adrian LaTourelle, Richard Riehle and Lisa Edelstein The Legend of Korra Won
Television Voice Acting Award Shared with Janet Varney, Dee Bradley Baker, David Faustino, P.J. Byrne, J. K. Simmons, Mindy Sterling, Seychelle Gabriel, Aubrey Plaza, Aaron Himelstein, John Michael Higgins, Adrian LaTourelle, Richard Riehle and Lisa Edelstein Nominated
Prism Award Male Performance in a Drama Series Multi-Episode Storyline Grey's Anatomy Nominated
2026 Saturn Awards Best Guest Star in a Television Series[48] It: Welcome to Derry Pending

2024 won SAG award for best ensemble Oppenheimer

References

[edit]

Sources

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

James Remar

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
William James Remar (born December 31, 1953), known professionally as James Remar, is an American actor celebrated for his rugged, intense portrayals of complex characters across film and television over a career spanning more than four decades. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, to S. Roy Remar, an attorney, and Elizabeth Mary Remar, a state mental health official, Remar grew up in Newton, Massachusetts. He left high school at 15, attended an alternative school for a year, and later studied acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City, making his film debut in On the Yard (1978). Remar first gained widespread recognition for his breakout role as the aggressive gang member Ajax in Walter Hill's The Warriors (1979), which established him as a formidable . His early film career included the antagonistic role of homicidal criminal Albert Ganz opposite and in 48 Hrs. (1982), gangster in Francis Ford Coppola's The Cotton Club (1984); he was originally cast as Corporal Hicks in Aliens (1986) but was replaced. In later years, Remar expanded into action and fantasy genres with parts like Lord Raiden in (1997), Henry Allen (The Flash's father) in Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox (2013), and supporting roles in Quentin Tarantino's (2012) and Guy Ritchie's (2021). On television, Remar earned acclaim for recurring roles such as the wealthy suitor Richard Wright in HBO's Sex and the City (2001–2004), for which he shared in the cast's Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (2004), and as the principled detective Harry Morgan, adoptive father to the protagonist, in Showtime's Dexter (2006–2013), earning a Saturn Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor on Television (2007) and additional SAG ensemble nominations in 2009 and 2010. More recent credits include voicing Tonraq in The Legend of Korra (2012–2014), for which he won a Behind The Voice Actors People's Choice Voice Acting Award (2014), and portraying tailor Peter Gambi in The CW's Black Lightning (2018–2021). Remar has also appeared in horror projects like The Unborn (2009), Child's Play (2019), reprising his role as Harry Morgan in Dexter: Resurrection (2025), and playing General Francis Shaw in It: Welcome to Derry (2025). In his personal life, Remar has been married to Atsuko Remar since 1984, and they have two children. He maintains a low public profile but has reflected on his career's longevity, noting in interviews his preference for challenging, character-driven roles over mainstream stardom.

Early life

Birth and family background

James Remar was born William James Remar on December 31, 1953, in , . He is the son of Elizabeth Remar (née Boyle), who worked as a counselor for the state of , and Roy Remar, an attorney. Remar's father was of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, with paternal grandparents who were immigrants from and . His mother was born in and had Irish and English ancestry. The family resided in the area during Remar's childhood, remaining within .

Education and initial pursuits

Remar grew up in Newton, in the area of and developed an early interest in , inspired at age seven by watching the film (1960). He dropped out of high school at age 15, motivated by a lack of engagement with formal education and a desire for personal independence. He then attended an for a year. After leaving school, Remar pursued self-directed interests in music and the arts, including playing in a rock band and working as a roadie for a group that opened for acts such as and during his teenage years. These experiences allowed him to explore creative outlets outside traditional schooling, shaping his unconventional path toward a career. In the early 1970s, around age 20, Remar fully committed to acting and enrolled at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in , training for one year under instructor , whose techniques helped refine his intuitive approach to performance. Remar's entry into professional theater began with and experimental productions in the 1970s, including a role in Sam Shepard's The Tooth of Crime at , where he engaged with avant-garde works that emphasized innovative storytelling and character exploration. This stage foundation culminated in his Broadway debut in 1979, playing the Wolf in Martin Sherman's Bent opposite , a drama depicting persecution in .

Acting career

Early film breakthrough

James Remar made his debut in the 1978 prison drama On the Yard, directed by Raphael D. Silver, where he portrayed the minor character Larson, a young inmate entangled in the facility's harsh social dynamics. This role marked Remar's entry into cinema following his theater background, providing an early showcase for his intense screen presence amid a cast including John Heard and Richard Bright. Remar's breakthrough arrived the following year with his portrayal of Ajax, the aggressive and volatile enforcer in Walter Hill's The Warriors (1979), a gritty urban about a New York gang's perilous journey home. As Ajax, Remar embodied a cocky, fight-ready tough guy, contributing to the movie's enduring cult status and helping solidify his reputation for playing rugged antagonists in the late and early . The film's iconic imagery and ensemble energy propelled Remar's career, leading to subsequent opportunities in high-profile projects. Building on this momentum, Remar took on the role of Sam Starr, the half-Cherokee outlaw and husband to , in the 1980 Western , directed by and featuring real-life acting brothers as the James-Younger gang. His performance as the brooding Sam added depth to the ensemble, highlighting his versatility within tough-guy archetypes. In a nod to his early success, Remar later reprised the voice of Ajax in the 2005 video game adaptation of The Warriors, developed by , where original cast members lent authenticity to the interactive retelling. A notable setback occurred in when Remar was cast as Corporal in James Cameron's Aliens but was dismissed just days into filming due to a drug-related incident off-set, resulting in Michael stepping in for reshoots. This early exit from the sci-fi sequel, despite initial promise from his prior collaborations with producer , underscored personal challenges during his rising career phase.

Major film roles

James Remar's prominent film roles from the onward often featured him as intense or authoritative figures, showcasing his ability to convey menace and depth in supporting parts. One of his early breakthroughs came in the action-comedy 48 Hrs. (1982), where he portrayed the ruthless escaped convict Albert Ganz, a psychotic criminal on a killing spree who serves as the primary opposite Nick Nolte's and Eddie Murphy's wisecracking convict partner. His performance as Ganz, marked by a sweaty, unhinged intensity, helped establish Remar as a go-to for villainous roles in the era's buddy-cop films. In Francis Ford Coppola's jazz-era drama The Cotton Club (1984), Remar took on the historical role of mobster , a volatile whose interactions with the club's performers and rivals drive much of the film's criminal intrigue. Critics noted Remar's portrayal for its brooding authenticity, capturing Schultz's real-life brutality amid the film's sprawling narrative of nightlife and . The late 1980s saw Remar in several villainous supporting turns, including Gianelli in the comedy The Dream Team (1989), where he played a vicious mob enforcer pursuing a group of escaped mental patients after they witness one of his murders, adding a layer of dark humor to the chaos. In the action flick (1989), he embodied the sleazy crime lord Requin, a key adversary to the titular cop duo played by and , contributing to the film's over-the-top villainy. These roles highlighted Remar's knack for blending menace with charisma in ensemble-driven thrillers. Transitioning into the 1990s, Remar appeared in high-profile blockbusters like (1990), as the obstructive military officer Sergeant Oswald Cochrane, whose rigid authority clashes with Bruce Willis's rogue hero during an airport siege. In Disney's adventure (1991), he delivered a chilling performance as Beauty Smith, the sadistic saloon owner who mistreats the titular wolf-dog, serving as the story's moral foil to Ethan Hawke's young prospector. In recent years, Remar has gravitated toward more nuanced authoritative characters, such as U.S. Secretary of War in Christopher Nolan's biographical drama Oppenheimer (2023), where he depicted the statesman's pivotal role in atomic bomb decisions, including an improvised line about sparing due to personal ties. He followed this with the role of Arnold, the gambling-addicted father in the indie comedy Drugstore June (2024), providing grounded support to Povitsky's aspiring influencer amid family dysfunction. Most recently, in Francis Ford Coppola's ambitious epic (2024), Remar played Charles Cothope, a design advisor in the film's dystopian vision of a rebuilt New York, contributing to its ensemble of power brokers. Remar has also joined the cast of Christopher Nolan's epic (2026), filming scenes in 2025 including in . Throughout these roles, Remar has consistently embodied intense, authoritative figures—whether as psychopathic criminals or stern officials—lending a rugged that elevates the narratives around him.

Television roles

Remar's early television work included guest appearances in the , notably as Officer Cooper in an episode of the acclaimed police drama Hill Street Blues in 1981. This role marked one of his initial forays into serialized television, showcasing his ability to portray intense, street-level characters amid the show's ensemble dynamics. In the early 2000s, Remar gained prominence with his recurring role as Richard Wright, the sophisticated and philandering real estate mogul who becomes Jones's love interest, on HBO's from 2001 to 2004, with a brief return in 2006. As part of the show's , he contributed to its cultural impact, earning a Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series in 2002. Wright's arc highlighted Remar's skill in blending charm with vulnerability, evolving from a casual fling to a complex romantic partner in the series' exploration of modern relationships. Remar's most enduring television role came as Harry Morgan, the adoptive father and moral guide to the titular , in Showtime's Dexter from 2006 to 2013. Appearing primarily in flashback sequences and as a hallucinatory , Harry provided ethical tension to Dexter's vigilante code, with Remar delivering a nuanced performance that earned ensemble nominations, including a Award nod in 2011 and 2012. He reprised the role in the 2025 sequel series , continuing to influence the narrative through paternal guidance amid escalating family drama. Transitioning further into genre television, Remar portrayed Frank Gordon, the enigmatic uncle of Detective Jim Gordon and a shadowy operative tied to Gotham's criminal underworld, in Fox's Gotham from 2016 to 2019. His recurring appearances added layers of conspiracy and family intrigue to the Batman prequel, emphasizing Remar's command of authoritative, morally ambiguous figures. From 2018 to 2021, Remar embodied , the loyal tailor and tech-savvy mentor to (Jefferson Pierce), in The CW's Black Lightning. As a and strategic ally in the superhero drama, Gambi's role involved high-stakes support in battles against corruption, allowing Remar to explore themes of redemption and protection within the Pierce family dynamic. In 2025, Remar appeared as Theo Baskin in the series . Looking ahead, Remar is set to appear as General Francis Shaw, a leader overseeing secretive operations in the town of Derry, in the 2025 series It: Welcome to Derry, a to Stephen King's It. This role positions him within the horror-thriller's ensemble, contributing to the unfolding mysteries of Pennywise's influence. Throughout the and beyond, Remar's shift toward television offered opportunities for sustained character development, contrasting his earlier film work while leveraging his intensity across dramas and genre series.

Voice acting and video games

Remar has contributed significantly to in animated television series and films, as well as video games, beginning prominently in the mid-2000s. His distinctive gravelly voice has brought depth to a range of authoritative and antagonistic characters across these media. Since 2005, he has amassed over 10 voice credits, showcasing his versatility in and interactive entertainment. In animation, Remar voiced the crime lord Black Mask (Roman Sionis) in the animated series The Batman from 2005 to 2008, appearing in three episodes where he portrayed the ruthless leader of the False Face Society. He also provided the voice for Tonraq, the stern chief of the Southern Water Tribe and father to the protagonist Korra, in The Legend of Korra from 2012 to 2014, taking over the role starting in Book Two for 14 episodes. More recently, Remar lent his voice to Zeta Prime, one of the original Thirteen Primes and the initial bearer of the Matrix of Leadership, in the animated film Transformers One released in 2024. Remar's earlier foray into for video games included reprising his iconic role as the hot-tempered gang member Ajax from the 1979 film The Warriors in the 2005 adaptation developed by . He portrayed Captain Jason Narville, a tough ISA marine commander, in the in 2011. In 2014, Remar voiced Executor Hideo, a key vendor and representative for the New Monarchy faction in the multiplayer online shooter , a role he continued in subsequent expansions and the sequel . Additionally, Remar voiced the Autobot warrior Sideswipe in the 2011 live-action film Transformers: Dark of the Moon, directed by , where the character engages in high-stakes battles against ; he also appeared in related promotional media for the franchise. These roles highlight Remar's ability to infuse digital characters with intensity and , contributing to both depth in animations and immersive experiences in gaming.

Personal life

Marriage and family

James Remar has been married to Atsuko Remar since 1984. Atsuko, of Japanese descent, has maintained a low public profile throughout their long-term partnership, supporting Remar's career while prioritizing family privacy. The couple's union represents a stable foundation amid Remar's demanding acting schedule, with limited details shared about their personal dynamics due to their commitment to shielding family matters from media scrutiny. Remar and Atsuko have two children: a named Kenji Remar and a daughter named Lisa Mary Remar. The children were raised in a close-knit household that emphasized discretion and normalcy away from Hollywood's spotlight.

Past challenges and interests

In the , James Remar battled a severe drug that severely impacted his professional trajectory. He was cast as Corporal in James Cameron's Aliens (1986) but was fired shortly after filming began when he was arrested for drug possession while in , leading to his replacement by . This incident not only derailed what could have been a pivotal role in a blockbuster franchise but also damaged key industry relationships, including with director , who avoided hiring him for over a decade due to the embarrassment caused. Remar entered recovery in the mid-1980s, achieving that he has sustained ever since, with providing crucial support during this period. He has openly credited this personal triumph for allowing him to rebuild and extend his over four decades, avoiding further self-destructive patterns that could have ended his Hollywood tenure prematurely. Remar developed conversational proficiency in Japanese influenced by his , Atsuko Remar, a native speaker, as well as through international travel. During a 2015 interview at the 41st Annual , he astonished a Japanese reporter by seamlessly switching to fluent Japanese responses, highlighting the depth of his acquired language skills. Early in life, after dropping out of high school, Remar traveled across the , briefly playing in a rock band as part of his pre-acting pursuits. He retains a modest interest in music, capable of playing guitar, and once starred in the Academy Award-winning short Session Man (1991), which centers on a veteran session . To prepare physically for demanding roles, Remar maintains a rigorous fitness regimen that includes workouts, emphasizing their role in sustaining his on-screen intensity.

Awards and nominations

Film awards

James Remar's contributions to film have earned him recognition primarily through ensemble awards, underscoring his role in supporting high-profile cinematic ensembles rather than individual accolades. In 2024, Remar shared in the Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for his portrayal of in Oppenheimer, directed by . This ensemble win highlighted the collective strength of the film's cast in depicting the historical drama surrounding the . Earlier, in 2012, Remar was nominated for the San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Ensemble Performance as part of the cast of Django Unchained, where he played the character Ace Speck. The nomination acknowledged the film's dynamic group dynamic in Quentin Tarantino's Western, though the award ultimately went to The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

Television awards

James Remar has earned nominations and wins for his television performances, particularly in ensemble categories. His recognition on Sex and the City, where he portrayed Richard Wright, includes sharing in two Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: the 8th Annual SAG Awards in 2002 for the 2001 season, and the 10th Annual SAG Awards in 2004 for the 2003 season. For his role as Harry Morgan in Dexter (2006–2013), Remar received a Saturn Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor on Television in 2007 from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films. The Dexter ensemble, including Remar, also garnered five consecutive Screen Actors Guild Award nominations for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series between 2008 and 2012. In 2014, Remar shared in the Behind the Voice Actors People's Choice Voice Acting Award for Best Vocal in a Television Series – Action/ for voicing Tonraq in . That same year, he received a Prism Award nomination for Male Performance in a Series Multi-Episode Storyline for his in . Remar returned to the of in the 2025 Dexter revival series Dexter: Resurrection, earning praise in interviews for reprising the character's moral guidance and emotional depth.

Filmography

Films

James Remar made his film debut in 1978 and has since amassed an extensive body of work in feature films, often portraying intense, rugged characters. The following table provides a chronological list of his credited and uncredited film appearances up to 2024.
YearTitleRole
1978On the YardHiram
1979The WarriorsAjax
1980CruisingUncredited
1980The Long RidersSam Ross
1980WindwalkerFencer
1982PartnersJill's Friend
198248 Hrs.Albert Ganz
1984The Cotton ClubDutch Schultz
1985The Clan of the Cave BearCreb
1986Band of the HandNestor
1987Rent-a-CopJoe
1987Quiet CoolKane
1988The Dream TeamGianelli
1989Drugstore CowboyGentry
1990Tales from the Darkside: The MoviePreston (switchblade artist)
1990Highway PatrolmanPsycho
1991White FangBeauty Smith
1993Fatal InstinctMax Shaffer
1994Renaissance ManCapt. Tom Murdoch
1995Boys on the SideAlex
1995Judge DreddBlock Warlord
1996The QuestDobbs
1997Mortal Kombat: AnnihilationLord Rayden
1998Wild ThingsUncredited
1998PsychoHighway Patrolman
2000What Lies BeneathWarren Feur
2000Hellraiser: InfernoDr. Paul Gregory
20022 Fast 2 FuriousAgent Markham
2003DuplexChick
2003Fear XRowland
2004Blade: TrinityOverlord
2008Pineapple ExpressGeneral Bratt
2010REDGabriel Singer
2011GunAngel
2011ArenaAgent McCarty
2011X-Men: First ClassUS General
2012Django UnchainedButch Pooch / Ace Speck
2013HornsDerrick Perrish
2014PersecutedJohn Luther
2014Lap DancePatrick Moore
2014EdenCoach DaFoe
2015The Blackcoat's DaughterBill
2015Papa: Hemingway in CubaSanto Trafficante Jr.
2015UnnaturalMartin Nakos
2016DecommissionedDavid Marino
2016The Dog LoverDaniel Holloway
2016FeedTom
2016The Night WatchmenRandall
2017Can't Buy My LoveRex
2018Speed KillsMeyer Lansky
2019Once Upon a Time in HollywoodWayne Maunder
2019All You Ever Wished ForGordon
2019Dead ReckoningFrank
2022The Noel DiaryScott
2023OppenheimerHenry L. Stimson
2024Transformers OneZeta Prime (voice)
2024MegalopolisCharles Cothope
2024Drugstore JuneArnold
2024GlowziesDarlus

Television

James Remar's television career spans over four decades, beginning with guest spots in the early 1980s and evolving into recurring and leading roles in major series. His early appearances showcased his ability to portray intense, complex characters in crime dramas. In 1981, Remar guest-starred as Officer Cooper in the Hill Street Blues episode "" (season 1, episode 14). In 1984, he appeared in the miniseries The Mystic Warrior as Pesla across three episodes. In 1985, Remar played Robbie Cann, an old army friend of Sonny Crockett, in the episode "Buddies" (season 2, episode 5). During the 1990s, Remar took on notable villainous roles in genre television. In 1990, he portrayed the (James Jesse) in three episodes of The Flash: "The Trickster" (season 1, episode 17), "" (season 1, episode 21), and "The Trial of the Trickster" (season 1, episode 22). Other 1990s guest appearances include DEA (1990, 1 episode as Frank Kotur). He also appeared in (1986, 1 episode as Macklin). Remar gained wider recognition in the 2000s through recurring roles in popular series. From 2001 to 2004, he played Richard Wright, Samantha Jones's wealthy boyfriend, in 12 episodes of . In 2001, he guest-starred as Professor Josef Kobold in episode "Dæmonicus" (season 9, episode 3). In 2009, he guest-starred as Tom Benton in episode "Demonology" (season 4, episode 17). His most prominent television role came from 2006 to 2013 as , Dexter's adoptive father and moral guide, appearing in over 50 episodes of Dexter. He reprised the role in flashback sequences and as a hallucinatory figure throughout the series. In 2006, he also guest-starred in (season 1, episode 11). In the late 2000s and early 2010s, Remar continued with historical and dramatic roles. From 2009 to 2010, he portrayed Peter Holst in 8 episodes of (seasons 3 and 4). He also voiced characters in animated series, including Vilgax in Ben 10: Alien Force (2008–2010, multiple episodes) and Tonraq in (2013–2014, 13 episodes). In 2013, he appeared as Jimmy Evans in three episodes of Grey's Anatomy (season 10). In the 2010s, Remar balanced guest spots and series regulars. He appeared in State of Affairs (2014, 1 episode) and The Path (2016, 2 episodes as Kodiak). From 2017 to 2021, he played , a and to the Pierce family, in 52 episodes of . Other guest roles included Gotham (2016–2019, Frank Gordon in 4 episodes). In the 2020s, Remar has taken on additional recurring and upcoming projects. He guest-starred in The Rookie (2021, 1 episode as Tom Bradford) and Yellowstone (2022, 1 episode as Kyle Fremont). As of November 2025, he is set to reprise in the Dexter: revival series. Additionally, Remar will appear as General Francis Shaw in the miniseries It: Welcome to Derry, premiering in 2025.

Video games

James Remar began contributing to video games in the mid-2000s, primarily through voice acting roles that leveraged his distinctive gravelly timbre. His early work reprised a film character in an adaptation, while later credits featured in major action titles, often portraying authoritative or antagonistic figures.
  • 2005: The Warriors – Voiced Ajax, reprising his role from the 1979 film in this Rockstar Games adaptation based on the cult classic.
  • 2010: Batman: The Brave and the Bold – The Videogame – Voiced Two-Face/Harvey Dent, providing the character's dialogue in this Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment title across Wii and Nintendo DS platforms.
  • 2011: Killzone 3 – Voiced Captain Jason Narville, a key ISA officer, in Guerrilla Games' first-person shooter for PlayStation 3.
  • 2014: Destiny – Voiced Executor Hideo, a high-ranking Awoken figure, in Bungie's online multiplayer shooter.
  • 2017: Destiny 2 – Reprised the role of Executor Hideo in the sequel, contributing to the game's narrative expansion.
  • 2019: Destiny 2: Shadowkeep – Continued voicing Executor Hideo in this expansion pack, appearing in story missions.
  • 2022: Destiny 2: The Witch Queen – Voiced Executor Hideo once more in the expansion, supporting the Hive-centric storyline.
Remar's video game involvement has been concentrated in the 2005–2022 period, with no confirmed credits in subsequent releases as of 2025.

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