ACTOR · BORN 1940
James Cromwell
- Born
- 27 January 1940, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Known for
- The Green Mile (1999), Big Hero 6 (2014), Spider-Man 3 (2007), Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)
39 archived facts 4 topics 1 source Last reviewed Sep 2026
13 Facts About James Cromwell's Life and Family
- #007
James Cromwell and his father, John Cromwell, share a family connection through productions about U.S. Presidents. James has portrayed real presidents such as Lyndon B. Johnson and George H.W. Bush, as well as fictional presidents in The West Wing (1999) and The Sum of All Fears (2002). His father contributed to the same theme with the 1940 film Abe Lincoln in Illinois.
- #008
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. This activist stance shows that he is not only an actor but also an individual sensitive to social issues. As a result of the committee's efforts, all 13 members were released.
- #009
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.
- #010
James Cromwell comes from a deeply rooted film family; his mother was the actress Kay Johnson and his father was John Cromwell, both a director and an actor. Growing up in this art-filled environment shaped his interest in acting at an early age. His family's legacy has been both a source of inspiration and a responsibility in his career.
- #011
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.
- #013
Known as a passionate liberal, James Cromwell openly supports many progressive political causes. He is particularly known for his outspokenness on animal rights; his activism on the issue has frequently come up throughout his career. His political views show that he is not only an artist but also an activist sensitive to social issues.
- #016
James Cromwell 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.
- #026
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 Chute (1996). These family ties created a legacy in the Star Trek universe that spans generations.
- #032
On December 18, 2015, James Cromwell was arrested along with five other people while protesting the construction of a power plant in Wawayanda, near his home in Warwick, New York. He was also among 19 people arrested in Watkins Glen on June 6, 2016, for protesting underground gas storage in salt caverns near Seneca Lake; Star Trek actor J.G. Hertzler was also present at this protest. On June 6, 2017, he was removed from a Democratic Party fundraiser attended by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and the Assembly Minority Leader.
- #034
James Cromwell's ancestry is English, German, Scottish and Irish. This multicultural heritage was influential in shaping his identity and worldview. These different cultural origins also added richness to his acting.
- #036
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). This shows that an acting tradition continues within the family. The father and son portraying the same roles at different ages offered viewers an interesting experience.
- #038
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.
- #039
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.
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