James Cromwell

James Oliver Cromwell (born 27 January 1940) is an American film and television actor, probably best known for his role as Dr. Zefram Cochrane in Star Trek: First Contact. He has been nominated for an Oscar, three Emmy Awards, and four Screen Actors Guild Awards during his career. Cromwell was born in Los Angeles, California and was raised in Manhattan, New York. He was adopted by actress Kay Johnson and actor, director and producer John Cromwell, who was blacklisted during the McCarthy era. He was educated at The Hill School, Middlebury College and Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University), where he studied engineering. Like both his parents, he was drawn to the theater, doing everything from Shakespeare to experimental plays. He has long been an advocate of leftist causes. In an October 2008 interview, he strongly attacked the Republican Party and the George W. Bush administration, saying their controversial foreign policy would "either destroy us or the entire planet." He became a vegetarian in 1974 after seeing a stockyard in Texas and experiencing the "smell, terror and anxiety." He became an ethical vegan while playing the character of Farmer Hoggett in the movie Babe in 1995. He frequently speaks out on issues regarding animal cruelty for PETA, largely the treatment of pigs. Cromwell was married to Anne Ulvestad from 1976 to 1986. They had three children. He married his second wife, Julie Cobb, on 29 May 1986.

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I, Robot (2004)

FuturisticAction-packedThrillingThought provoking

In 2035, where robots are commonplace and abide by the three laws of robotics, a technophobic cop investigates an apparent suicide. Suspecting that a robot may be responsible for the death, his investigation leads him to believe that humanity may be in danger.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Alex Proyas
CAST:  Will Smith  •  Alan Tudyk  •  James Cromwell  •  Bruce Greenwood

In 2035, where robots are commonplace and abide by the three laws of robotics, a technophobic cop investigates an apparent suicide. Suspecting that a robot may be responsible for the death, his investigation leads him to believe that humanity may be in danger.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Alex Proyas
CAST:  Will Smith  •  Alan Tudyk  •  James Cromwell  •  Bruce Greenwood

The Green Mile (1999)

InspiringIntenseEmotionalThought provoking

A supernatural tale set on death row in a Southern prison, where gentle giant John Coffey possesses the mysterious power to heal people's ailments. When the cell block's head guard, Paul Edgecomb, recognizes Coffey's miraculous gift, he tries desperately to help ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Darabont
CAST:  Tom Hanks  •  Michael Clarke Duncan  •  Bonnie Hunt  •  David Morse

A supernatural tale set on death row in a Southern prison, where gentle giant John Coffey possesses the mysterious power to heal people's ailments. When the cell block's head guard, Paul Edgecomb, recognizes Coffey's miraculous gift, he tries desperately to help ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Darabont
CAST:  Tom Hanks  •  Michael Clarke Duncan  •  Bonnie Hunt  •  David Morse

L.A. Confidential (1997)

Action-packedSuspensefulViolentThought provoking

Three detectives in the corrupt and brutal L.A. police force of the 1950s use differing methods to uncover a conspiracy behind the shotgun slayings of the patrons at an all-night diner.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Curtis Hanson
CAST:  Kevin Spacey  •  Guy Pearce  •  Danny DeVito  •  James Cromwell

Three detectives in the corrupt and brutal L.A. police force of the 1950s use differing methods to uncover a conspiracy behind the shotgun slayings of the patrons at an all-night diner.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Curtis Hanson
CAST:  Kevin Spacey  •  Guy Pearce  •  Danny DeVito  •  James Cromwell

W. (2008)

The story of the eventful life of George W. Bush—his struggles and triumphs, how he found both his wife and his faith—and the critical days leading up to his decision to invade Iraq.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Oliver Stone
CAST:  Josh Brolin  •  Elizabeth Banks  •  Ellen Burstyn  •  Ioan Gruffudd

The story of the eventful life of George W. Bush—his struggles and triumphs, how he found both his wife and his faith—and the critical days leading up to his decision to invade Iraq.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Oliver Stone
CAST:  Josh Brolin  •  Elizabeth Banks  •  Ellen Burstyn  •  Ioan Gruffudd

A Fine Mess (1986)

Two friends an actor and a chef discover a plot to fix a horse race and try to capitalize on it. But also have to deal with the two men who fixed it who are trying to silence them. And there's also the mob boss whom the two guys work for who planned the fixing ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Blake Edwards
CAST:  Ted Danson  •  Howie Mandel  •  Richard Mulligan  •  Stuart Margolin

Two friends an actor and a chef discover a plot to fix a horse race and try to capitalize on it. But also have to deal with the two men who fixed it who are trying to silence them. And there's also the mob boss whom the two guys work for who planned the fixing ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Blake Edwards
CAST:  Ted Danson  •  Howie Mandel  •  Richard Mulligan  •  Stuart Margolin

Babe (1995)

Babe is a little pig who doesn't quite know his place in the world. With a bunch of odd friends, like Ferdinand the duck who thinks he is a rooster and Fly the dog he calls mum, Babe realises that he has the makings to become the greatest sheep pig of all time, and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chris Noonan
CAST:  Christine Cavanaugh  •  Miriam Margolyes  •  Danny Mann  •  Hugo Weaving

Babe is a little pig who doesn't quite know his place in the world. With a bunch of odd friends, like Ferdinand the duck who thinks he is a rooster and Fly the dog he calls mum, Babe realises that he has the makings to become the greatest sheep pig of all time, and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chris Noonan
CAST:  Christine Cavanaugh  •  Miriam Margolyes  •  Danny Mann  •  Hugo Weaving

Babe: Pig in the City (1998)

Babe, fresh from his victory in the sheepherding contest, returns to Farmer Hoggett's farm, but after Farmer Hoggett is injured and unable to work, Babe has to go to the big city to save the farm.  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Miller
CAST:  James Cromwell  •  Mary Stein  •  Mickey Rooney  •  Magda Szubanski

Babe, fresh from his victory in the sheepherding contest, returns to Farmer Hoggett's farm, but after Farmer Hoggett is injured and unable to work, Babe has to go to the big city to save the farm.  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Miller
CAST:  James Cromwell  •  Mary Stein  •  Mickey Rooney  •  Magda Szubanski

Blackball (2003)

Blackball follows the fortunes of Cliff Starkey, a working-class fine of lawn bowls with an exceptional talent. Wanting to take on the Aussies he manages to become regional champion, only to get banned. Sports agent Rich Schwartz picks him up and makes him so ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mel Smith
CAST:  Paul Kaye  •  Vince Vaughn  •  Johnny Vegas  •  James Cromwell

Blackball follows the fortunes of Cliff Starkey, a working-class fine of lawn bowls with an exceptional talent. Wanting to take on the Aussies he manages to become regional champion, only to get banned. Sports agent Rich Schwartz picks him up and makes him so ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mel Smith
CAST:  Paul Kaye  •  Vince Vaughn  •  Johnny Vegas  •  James Cromwell

Daddy Long Legs (1955)

Wealthy American, Jervis Pendleton has a chance encounter at a French orphanage with a cheerful 18-year-old resident, and anonymously pays for her education at a New England college. She writes letters to her mysterious benefactor regularly, but he never writes ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jean Negulesco
CAST:  Fred Astaire  •  Leslie Caron  •  Terry Moore  •  Thelma Ritter

Wealthy American, Jervis Pendleton has a chance encounter at a French orphanage with a cheerful 18-year-old resident, and anonymously pays for her education at a New England college. She writes letters to her mysterious benefactor regularly, but he never writes ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jean Negulesco
CAST:  Fred Astaire  •  Leslie Caron  •  Terry Moore  •  Thelma Ritter

Deep Impact (1998)

A seven-mile-wide space rock is hurtling toward Earth, threatening to obliterate the planet. Now, it's up to the president of the United States to save the world. He appoints a tough-as-nails veteran astronaut to lead a joint American-Russian crew into space to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mimi Leder
CAST:  Robert Duvall  •  Téa Leoni  •  Elijah Wood  •  Vanessa Redgrave

A seven-mile-wide space rock is hurtling toward Earth, threatening to obliterate the planet. Now, it's up to the president of the United States to save the world. He appoints a tough-as-nails veteran astronaut to lead a joint American-Russian crew into space to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mimi Leder
CAST:  Robert Duvall  •  Téa Leoni  •  Elijah Wood  •  Vanessa Redgrave

Eraser (1996)

U.S. Marshall John Kruger erases the identities of people enrolled in the Witness Protection Program. His current assignment is to protect Lee Cullen, who's uncovered evidence that the weapons manufacturer she works for has been selling to terrorist groups. When ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chuck Russell
CAST:  Arnold Schwarzenegger  •  James Caan  •  Vanessa Williams  •  James Coburn

U.S. Marshall John Kruger erases the identities of people enrolled in the Witness Protection Program. His current assignment is to protect Lee Cullen, who's uncovered evidence that the weapons manufacturer she works for has been selling to terrorist groups. When ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chuck Russell
CAST:  Arnold Schwarzenegger  •  James Caan  •  Vanessa Williams  •  James Coburn

Fail Safe (2000)

Cold War tensions climb to a fever pitch when a U.S. bomber is accidentally ordered to drop a nuclear warhead on Moscow.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Stephen Frears
CAST:  Walter Cronkite  •  Richard Dreyfuss  •  Noah Wyle  •  Brian Dennehy

Cold War tensions climb to a fever pitch when a U.S. bomber is accidentally ordered to drop a nuclear warhead on Moscow.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Stephen Frears
CAST:  Walter Cronkite  •  Richard Dreyfuss  •  Noah Wyle  •  Brian Dennehy

Miracle Landing (1990)

Cracks are noticed in the ceiling of an aircraft. They widen & a large portion of the fuselage tears off & an emergency landing is attempted. Based on actual events.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Dick Lowry
CAST:  Connie Sellecca  •  Wayne Rogers  •  James Cromwell  •  Nancy Kwan

Cracks are noticed in the ceiling of an aircraft. They widen & a large portion of the fuselage tears off & an emergency landing is attempted. Based on actual events.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Dick Lowry
CAST:  Connie Sellecca  •  Wayne Rogers  •  James Cromwell  •  Nancy Kwan

Murder by Death (1976)

FunnyCleverGoofyMysterious

Lionel Twain invites the world's five greatest detectives to a 'dinner and murder'. Included are a blind butler, a deaf-mute maid, screams, spinning rooms, secret passages, false identities and more plot turns and twists than are decently allowed.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Moore
CAST:  Eileen Brennan  •  Truman Capote  •  James Coco  •  Peter Falk

Lionel Twain invites the world's five greatest detectives to a 'dinner and murder'. Included are a blind butler, a deaf-mute maid, screams, spinning rooms, secret passages, false identities and more plot turns and twists than are decently allowed.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Moore
CAST:  Eileen Brennan  •  Truman Capote  •  James Coco  •  Peter Falk

Revenge of the Nerds (1984)

FunnyGoofyLightheartedCrude

At Adams College, the jocks rule the school from their house on high, the Alpha Beta fraternity. So when a group of socially-challenged misfits try to go Greek, they're instantly rejected by every house on campus. Deciding to start their own fraternity to protect ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jeff Kanew
CAST:  Robert Carradine  •  Anthony Edwards  •  Timothy Busfield  •  Curtis Armstrong

At Adams College, the jocks rule the school from their house on high, the Alpha Beta fraternity. So when a group of socially-challenged misfits try to go Greek, they're instantly rejected by every house on campus. Deciding to start their own fraternity to protect ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jeff Kanew
CAST:  Robert Carradine  •  Anthony Edwards  •  Timothy Busfield  •  Curtis Armstrong

Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise (1987)

The members of the Lambda Lambda Lambda fraternity travel to Fort Lauderdale for a fraternity conference. They'll have to beat off the attacks of their rival frat, the Alphas, if they want to maintain their self-respect -- and, of course, if they want to get ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Joe Roth
CAST:  Robert Carradine  •  Curtis Armstrong  •  Larry B. Scott  •  Timothy Busfield

The members of the Lambda Lambda Lambda fraternity travel to Fort Lauderdale for a fraternity conference. They'll have to beat off the attacks of their rival frat, the Alphas, if they want to maintain their self-respect -- and, of course, if they want to get ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Joe Roth
CAST:  Robert Carradine  •  Curtis Armstrong  •  Larry B. Scott  •  Timothy Busfield

RKO 281 (2000)

In 1939, boy-wonder Orson Welles leaves New York, where he has succeeded in radio and theater, and, hired by RKO Pictures, moves to Hollywood with the purpose of making his first film.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Benjamin Ross
CAST:  Liev Schreiber  •  James Cromwell  •  Melanie Griffith  •  John Malkovich

In 1939, boy-wonder Orson Welles leaves New York, where he has succeeded in radio and theater, and, hired by RKO Pictures, moves to Hollywood with the purpose of making his first film.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Benjamin Ross
CAST:  Liev Schreiber  •  James Cromwell  •  Melanie Griffith  •  John Malkovich

Space Cowboys (2000)

Frank Corvin, ‘Hawk’ Hawkins, Jerry O'Neill and ‘Tank’ Sullivan were hotdog members of Project Daedalus, the Air Force's test program for space travel, but their hopes were dashed in 1958 with the formation of NASA and the use of trained chimps. They blackmail ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Clint Eastwood
CAST:  Clint Eastwood  •  Tommy Lee Jones  •  Donald Sutherland  •  James Garner

Frank Corvin, ‘Hawk’ Hawkins, Jerry O'Neill and ‘Tank’ Sullivan were hotdog members of Project Daedalus, the Air Force's test program for space travel, but their hopes were dashed in 1958 with the formation of NASA and the use of trained chimps. They blackmail ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Clint Eastwood
CAST:  Clint Eastwood  •  Tommy Lee Jones  •  Donald Sutherland  •  James Garner

Species II (1998)

Having just returned from a mission to Mars, Commander Ross isn't exactly himself. He's slowly becoming a terrifying alien entity with one goal -- to procreate with human women! When countless women suffer gruesome deaths after bearing half-alien offspring, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Peter Medak
CAST:  Michael Madsen  •  Natasha Henstridge  •  Marg Helgenberger  •  Mykelti Williamson

Having just returned from a mission to Mars, Commander Ross isn't exactly himself. He's slowly becoming a terrifying alien entity with one goal -- to procreate with human women! When countless women suffer gruesome deaths after bearing half-alien offspring, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Peter Medak
CAST:  Michael Madsen  •  Natasha Henstridge  •  Marg Helgenberger  •  Mykelti Williamson

Spider-Man 3 (2007)

The seemingly invincible Spider-Man goes up against an all-new crop of villains—including the shape-shifting Sandman. While Spider-Man’s superpowers are altered by an alien organism, his alter ego, Peter Parker, deals with nemesis Eddie Brock and also gets caught ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sam Raimi
CAST:  Tobey Maguire  •  Kirsten Dunst  •  James Franco  •  Thomas Haden Church

The seemingly invincible Spider-Man goes up against an all-new crop of villains—including the shape-shifting Sandman. While Spider-Man’s superpowers are altered by an alien organism, his alter ego, Peter Parker, deals with nemesis Eddie Brock and also gets caught ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sam Raimi
CAST:  Tobey Maguire  •  Kirsten Dunst  •  James Franco  •  Thomas Haden Church
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