Born in Los Angeles but raised in Manhattan and educated at Middlebury College and Carnegie Tech, James Cromwell - the son of noted film director John Cromwell - studied acting at Carnegie-Mellon. He went into the theater (like both his parents) doing everything from Shakespeare to experimental plays. He started doing TV in 1974, gaining some notice in a recurring role as Archie Bunker's buddy Stretch Cunningham in All in the Family, made his film debut in 1976, and goes back to the stage periodically. Some of his more noted film roles have been in Revenge of the Nerds and the surprise hit about a charming pig, Babe. He garnered some of the best reviews of his career - many of which said he should have received an Oscar - for his role as a corrupt, conniving police captain in L.A. Confidential.


Son of actress Kay Johnson and director/actor John Cromwell. Educated at Carnegie Institute of Technology. A believer in non-terrestrial intelligence. Was arrested for trespassing during an animal rights demonstration in Virginia, targeting the Wendy's fast food chain. He and four other PETA protesters refused to leave after urging patrons to boycott the restaurant. Cromwell was released on his own recognizance after about five hours. [3 July 2001] Played a US President four times - fictional President Fowler in The Sum of All Fears (2002) fictional President Newman in "The West Wing" (1999), Lyndon B. Johnson in the telemovie RFK (2002) (TV), and George H.W. Bush in Oliver Stone's film W. (2008/I). At 6' 7", he is the tallest Oscar-nominated actor of all time (he was nominated for his Best Actor in a Support Role in Babe (1995)). He struggled somewhat early in his career due to his height and the fact that few producers wanted someone towering over their leading men. Many of his early roles show him seated or leaning on something. Worked with the Black Panthers in the 1960s. Former son-in-law of actor Lee J. Cobb. Attended the prestigious Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, the alma mater of Harry Hamlin and Oliver Stone. Played a fictional President in The Sum of All Fears (2002) and real-life President Lyndon Johnson. Donald Moffat, who has also played Johnson, played the fictional President in Clear and Present Danger (1994). Is a vegetarian. His interest in drama was at first to become a stage director, and he started acting as a way of making ends meet.