Born (John) James Monarski in San Mateo, California. James, an only child, was raised by his parents, in the US, but at the age of 16 went to Boarding School in Australia where his mother was born. He has a Bachelor of Business from the University of Queensland, and after completing his studies, pursued Drama at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). He has appeared in the popular Australian TV Drama Series, "Neighbours" and "Underbelly Badness".