James Fall was born and raised in the Chicago suburb of Berwyn, Illinois. He has been appearing in several stage productions since he was nine years old. Fall performed as a soloist in the Illinois State Gifted Children's Program shortly thereafter. After his eighteenth birthday, Fall moved to New York City, New York to study at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Upon graduation in 1987, he began his professional career, appearing in many regional and touring productions. He is best known by far for his performance as Kocoum in Disney's Pocahontas (1995). Fall played the title role in the world premiere of a production of "Honor Song For Crazy Horse," a new musical, and "Black Elk Speaks" at the Denver Center in Colorado and the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. Fall is a prolific poet, songwriter and aspiring playwright, working on his first play, as well as an accomplished singer and actor. He also performs with his band Concrete Canyon which is a traditional drum group.