James graduated from Davis High School and attended Juilliard, the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts, and the American Conservatory Theatre. After spending ten years doing stage work he finally moved to L.A. to pursue a career in film and television. After appearing in several guest roles he finally got his big break as Spike in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Originally the character was suppose to be killed after a few episodes but Spike became so popular that he became a regular on the show. After BTVS ended he appeared as Spike in the spin-off Angel, andin several movies. James is also a talented musican; his band Ghost Of The Robot released their first album, Mad Brilliant.


Gained the scar on his left eyebrow when he was mugged whilst living in Queens Graduated from Davis High School in Modesto, California. While doing regional theatre in Chicago, he co-founded the New Mercury Theatre company (named after Orson Welles's "Mercury Theatre"). In 1990, New Mercury's founders packed the operation up and relocated to Seattle in the hopes of finding more opportunity; they played there for a number of years, using any available space, including the basements of restaurants and churches, but eventually found themselves a more permanent space near Pioneer Square. Has a HUGE cult following in the Sci-Fi/fantasy community. There are (literally) hundreds of websites dedicated to him and his immensely popular vampire character 'Spike' on the internet. Fronted a band called Ghost of the Robot. The band's first album, "Mad Brilliant," was released in February 2003. After just over two years together, he dissolved the group to pursue a solo performing and recording career. His first solo CD, "Civilized Man," was released during his sell-out 2005 European tour. Spent the first ten years of his professional acting career in the theater (at various times in New York, Chicago and Seattle). Has long harbored a desire to direct a film adaptation of "Macbeth." He frequently cites the Shakespeare tragedy as his favorite play. His favorite Buffy episode is "Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Once More, with Feeling (#6.7)" (2001). Has one son, Sullivan (born in 1996), with ex-wife Liane Davidson. The Royal Shakespeare Company of Stratford, England, held a 2004 poll asking movie viewers to vote for the actor and actress they would most like to see in the roles of Romeo and Juliet. The winners were Marsters and Keira Knightley. More than 2,000 people voted for more than 150 different actors for both roles. Marsters, a Shakespearean actor, triumphed over Orlando Bloom, Ewan McGregor, Jude Law, and Johnny Depp. Speaking from his Californian home, Marsters said, "I'm flattered and excited that people would think of me for the role of Romeo. I think the themes of violence and social disintegration are as important today as they were in Shakespeare's day." (April 23, 2004) Named #1 of the Top Ten Sexiest Men of the Buffy / Angel universe in a fan poll by the Buffy the Vampire Slayer fanzine (2004). Was one of the three actors called in to audition for the role of Spike opposite Juliet Landau. Loves filming the violent scenes and stunt work on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (1997) and takes great pride in doing his own stunts. One of his favorite books is "Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds.". He says his personal strength is patience while his personal weakness is his temper Enjoys playing the guitar, watching football, and spending time with friends at the beach. Auditioned for the part of Praetor Shinzon in Star Trek: Nemesis (2002). Is the first live-action actor to play the comic book villain Brainiac from the Superman comics. Engaged to Patricia Rahman [May 21, 2010].