ACTOR · BORN 1940
James Cromwell
- Born
- 27 January 1940, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Known for
- Babe (1995), The General's Daughter (1999), Becoming Jane (2007), Sugar (2024)
27 archived facts 5 topics 1 source Last reviewed Nov 2026
James Cromwell (born 27 January 1940) is an actor best known for Babe, The General's Daughter and Becoming Jane.
27 Interesting Facts About James Cromwell
Interesting Facts (1)
- #001
After refusing to pay a $375 fine related to his arrest during a protest in Wawayanda, New York, James Cromwell was sentenced to seven days in jail. He and five other protesters had initially been found guilty of obstructing traffic for staging a sit-in at the construction site of Competitive Power Ventures' natural gas-fired power plant. He argued that the plant's carbon emissions would threaten the local environment and accelerate climate change.
Behind the Scenes (11)
- #002
At 6 feet 6.5 inches tall, he holds the title of the tallest actor ever nominated for an Oscar in film history. He earned that record with his supporting actor performance in the 1995 film Babe. His height was both an advantage and a disadvantage throughout his career; although some producers avoided casting him for fear he would overshadow the leads, this physical trait became one of the things that made him unforgettable.
- #003
It is striking that he has portrayed four different U.S. Presidents over the course of his film career. In addition, he stepped into the world of monarchy with the role of Prince Philip, consort of Queen Elizabeth II, in the 2006 film The Queen. He thus became one of the rare actors capable of convincingly portraying both republican and royal figures.
- #004
He and his father, John Cromwell, forged a family connection by appearing in productions about U.S. Presidents. James Cromwell has portrayed fictional presidents in The West Wing (1999) and The Sum of All Fears (2002), as well as real presidents such as Lyndon B. Johnson and George H.W. Bush. His father contributed to this theme with the 1940 film Abe Lincoln in Illinois.
- #005
Along with Jeremy Roberts, Boris Lee Krutonog, Alice Krige and Jack Shearer, he is one of five actors who later reprised a character they played in a Star Trek film in a television series. He first took on the role of Zefram Cochrane in the 1996 film Star Trek: First Contact, then brought the same character to life in the 2001 episode Broken Bow, Part 1.
- #006
He was educated at the prestigious Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, an institution whose alumni also include famous names such as Harry Hamlin and Oliver Stone. This elite school played an important role in his intellectual development. His school years laid the foundations of his interest in art and theater.
- #007
He has twice taken on the role of a prison warden, both in productions whose titles contain a unit of measurement: The Green Mile (1999) and The Longest Yard (2005). He has also appeared in two films about the pioneers of space travel: Explorers (1985) and Star Trek: First Contact (1996). These thematic similarities form a coincidental but striking pattern in his career.
- #008
The character Zefram Cochrane in Star Trek: First Contact (1996) first appeared in the episode Metamorphosis of the original series, played by Leonard Nimoy. Although Cromwell never worked with Nimoy, two of his other roles are connected to the character of Spock; he appeared alongside Zachary Quinto in American Horror Story. In addition, L.A. Confidential (1997) features LAPD Chief William H. Parker, a former colleague of Gene Roddenberry and the basis for Spock.
- #009
He has played the role of U.S. President four times: the fictional President Fowler in The Sum of All Fears (2002), the fictional President Newman in the series The West Wing (1999), Lyndon B. Johnson in the television film RFK (2002), and George H.W. Bush in Oliver Stone's W. (2008). These roles reveal his ability to successfully embody political figures.
- #010
In addition to his own appearances in the Star Trek series, his former wife Julie Cobb played Ensign Leslie Thompson in the episode By Any Other Name (1968), and his former stepdaughter Rosemary Morgan played Piri in the episode The Chute (1996).
- #011
The role of the prison warden in The Longest Yard (2005) was given to him after talks with Gary Oldman fell through. This role allowed him to take part in an important production in his career. Oldman's departure opened a door of opportunity for Cromwell.
- #012
In the episode Mr. Monk and the Big Reward (2006), there is a fictional museum called The Cromwell Institute; this may be a nod to his appearances in three episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987), the episode Starship Down (1995), and the film Star Trek: First Contact (1996).
Characters & Cast (3)
- #013
In the Star Trek universe, James Cromwell holds the distinction of being the only actor to actually speak the phrase "Star Trek" on screen. In the 1996 film Star Trek: First Contact, his character Zefram Cochrane turns to the crew and says, "...and you're all... astronauts... on some kind of star trek?" This moment holds a special place among fans as one of the series' rare and ironic instances of naming itself.
- #014
James Cromwell starred in the 2004 remake of Salem's Lot, adapted from Stephen King's novel of the same name. In an interesting coincidence, his ex-wife Julie Cobb appeared in the original 1979 version. The situation is notable for featuring a former couple in two different adaptations of the same story.
- #015
After decades focused on film and television, James Cromwell returned to the stage in March 2012 after a 13-year absence. At the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles, he played Pozzo in Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot. This return shows his commitment to theater and his longing for the stage; he had previously appeared on stage in Tom Stoppard's The Invention of Love in 1999.
Career & Awards (6)
- #016
Early in his career, James Cromwell's height was a serious obstacle, as many producers did not want to cast someone who would tower over the leads. For this reason, he was often seen sitting or leaning against something in his early roles. The difficulty fueled his determination to prove his acting ability, and in time he managed to turn this physical trait into an advantage.
- #017
James Cromwell's interest in theater actually began with a desire to direct for the stage; he turned to acting in order to make a living. His goal of stage directing deeply shaped his approach to acting and his stage discipline.
- #018
James Cromwell openly opposed the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush; this opposition has been an important part of his political stance. Ironically, however, he portrayed Bush's father, George H.W. Bush, on film. This contradiction forms an interesting contrast between his acting career and his personal views.
- #019
James Cromwell attended Middlebury College in Vermont and then graduated from the College of Fine Arts at Carnegie-Mellon University in 1964. This education gave him a solid foundation for his acting career. He later paid tribute to the institution where he studied by playing Carnegie-Mellon co-founder Andrew W. Mellon in the series Boardwalk Empire (2010).
- #020
James Cromwell, a vegetarian since the 1970s, switched to a vegan diet after appearing with a farm pig in the film Babe (1995). This experience increased his sensitivity to animal rights and led him to become a longtime advocate for these causes. This change was an important turning point in his personal life and activism.
- #021
James Cromwell appeared in a film selected by the Library of Congress for the National Film Registry as 'culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant': L.A. Confidential (1997). This film is regarded as one of the important works of American cinema history.
Life & Family (6)
- #022
In the late 1960s, James Cromwell was part of the Panther Defense Committee, formed in New York to defend 13 members of the Black Panther Party jailed on conspiracy charges. As a result of the committee's efforts, all 13 members were released.
- #023
On July 3, 2001, James Cromwell was arrested in Virginia for trespassing during an animal rights protest targeting the Wendy's fast food chain. He and four PETA members refused to leave after calling on customers to boycott the restaurant. After roughly five hours in custody, he was released on his own recognizance and fined on the condition that he not enter any Wendy's restaurant in Virginia unless he intended to eat there.
- #024
In February 2013, James Cromwell interrupted a University of Wisconsin Board of Regents meeting by displaying a graphic photograph of a cat to protest animal mistreatment on campus, and was arrested. The incident drew wide press coverage and ended on March 25, 2013, when his lawyer entered a not guilty plea and agreed to pay a $100 fine plus $263.50 in court costs. The protest once again demonstrated his commitment to animal rights.
- #025
His son John Cromwell played the younger version of the character his father portrayed in three television series: Memorial Day (2012), American Horror Story (2011) and Betrayal (2013). The father and son portraying the same roles at different ages offered viewers an interesting experience.
- #026
James Cromwell supported Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. This support was a move consistent with his progressive political views. His backing of Sanders' campaign shows his sensitivity to social issues and his political engagement.
- #027
James Cromwell had a relationship with actress and professor Joan MacIntosh between 2005 and 2009; the relationship later ended. This private life shows his connections in the art world and his personal relationships. Their relationship was built on shared interests in the worlds of art and academia.
Related pages
- Big Hero 6 — James Cromwell comes up in the facts on that page
- I, Robot — James Cromwell comes up in the facts on that page
- Lee J. Cobb — James Cromwell comes up in the facts on that page
Continue through the archive
Sources & editorial notes
Reference databases
- Wikipedia
- IMDb
Information from external sources is independently selected, consolidated and edited by Arka Evren. Sources are listed for verification and further reading. Encyclopedia text is used under its licence (CC BY-SA). How we work