James Lafferty was born in raised in Hemet, California. James attended Hemet High School and played basketball for the Bulldogs, even earning the MVP award. He has been steadily working since the age of 6 when his mother encouraged him and his brother, Stuart Lafferty, to act as a hobby. At age ten, he received his first speaking part and, then later, a role on the short lived television series Emeril as Emeril Lagasse's son. James also made guest appearances as Once and Again (as Tad) and Boston Public. He also had a role in the ESPN movie A Season on the Brink, a basketball movie about the Indiana Hoosiers, where he was able to demonstrate his basketball skills. He graduated in 2003 from Hemet High and was enrolled at Cal State Long Beach before he received the role of "Nathan" on the WB Network's new series One Tree Hill, filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina. Once in University, James plans on majoring in international studies.
Older brother of Stuart Lafferty. His favorite musicians are: Eminem, Gemini, Steve Miller Band, Geto Boys and Kanye West. His favorite TV shows are South Park, The Sopranos and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Favorite movies are: Fight Club and Beautiful Girls. Favorite book is The "Iliad" by Homer. Favorite basketball player is Michael Jordan. Loves the Yukon and Mustang Cobra cars He once had a girlfriend back in his hometown of Hemet, California, who was a senior in high school there. Was born to Angie and Jeff Lafferty, who own a local construction business in Hemet California. Has a dog, Nino (a husky/shepherd mix). His favorite actors are: Tom Hanks, and Edward Norton. His favorite basketball team is the Los Angeles Lakers. He has a black belt in Tae Kwon Doe. His hobbies are: Tae Kwon Doe, Boogieboarding, Snowboarding, Rollerblading, Snorkeling, Horseback Riding, playing basketball, football and video games.