Born in Putnam and raised in the rural town of Pomfret in the Boston Red Sox side of Connecticut, James began his love for acting and imitation when as a child he could be found dawning a Superman cape or a Groucho Marx getup. After attending Pomfret School on a full academic/athletic/arts-based scholarship and some minor stage appearances, he attended American University in Washington, DC to study politics. During his stint in DC, he interned for President Clinton in The White House and US Senator Joseph Lieberman. While in college, Ford Models in New York offered to send him to Europe to build his book for fashion modeling. While doing the "model thing" would have been a great adventure, he opted to finish school and pursue a law degree at Suffolk University in Boston. James married the love of his life, Suzanne, who he met on Capitol Hill in DC during law school. After several years of practicing law in Arkansas, he moved to New York where he rediscovered his love for acting again. In New York, James studied under Elizabeth Kemp of the Actor's Studio. James now resides in Santa Monica, California with his wife Suzanne, a fellow actor, and their two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Bo and Tessie.