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James Stacy was born Maurice William Elias on 23rd December, 1936 in Los Angeles. He tried a few occupations before deciding that acting was for him. He returned to L.A. as this was the best place to start his career.
One of his first moves was to change his name. He used James from James Dean, one of his favourite actors, and Stacy from his niece.
James originally wanted to play pro football and even though he was well built and fast, he wasn't heavy enough to withstand the constant physical punishment of the sport.
A good friend, Robert Fuller, suggested he join him in acting classes and so James was on his way.
His early appearances include Gunsmoke and Perry Mason.
Ozzie Nelson liked his work and signed him up to play a college friend of his son Ricky. He appeared as Fred from 1958 to 1964 in Ozzie & Harriet. 1963 saw him appear in Summer Magic with Hailey Mills, Peter Brown and Burl Ives. |
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It was during this time that he met and married actress Connie Stevens in a lavish Hollywood wedding in October 1963. Unfortunately the marriage didn't last long and they divorced in 1966.
James appeared in a number of movies during the 1950s including Sayonara and the 1958 musical South Pacific . Although none were outstanding, in that the roles were very small, they did put his face on the silver screen.
1965 saw him appear in a tv show pilot called And Baby Makes Three , but this didn't eventuate.
Kim Darby became his second wife in 1968, but in 1969 this marriage was also ended in divorce. They have a daughter Heather. Also in the same year, James appeared in Flareup with Raquel Welch.
20th Century Fox began casting for a new TV western called Lancer in 1968. James was signed for the role of youngest son Johnny, along with Andrew Duggan as father Murdoch Lancer, Wayne Maunder as the oldest son Scott and Elizabeth Baur as Murdoch's ward Teresa O'Brien.
Lancer was a well-written show which suffered an early demise in 1970 because it was launched when TV westerns were on the wayout of favour with audiences.
51 colour episodes were made. Notable guests who appeared were Pernell Roberts, Keenan Wynn, Rory Calhoun and Warren Oates to name but a few. |
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In the early 1970's James landed roles in TV movies such as Heat of Anger, Ordeal and Paper Man and appeared in a variety of TV series shows the likes of Gunsmoke, Owen Marshall and Medical Centre.
Then, at night on September 27, 1973 Jame's life was changed dramatically. While riding on his motorbike, with his girlfriend as passenger, James was struck by a car driven by a drunken driver. His girlfriend was killed and he received extensive injuries. His left arm and leg were torn off by the impact. James survived, but medical expenses had wiped out his savings. Friends and his ex-wives gathered and a benefit was held for him in 1974, which raised over $100,000.00.
The 1975 movie Posse , was his first role after the accident. Kirk Douglas wrote the part of the newspaper editor especially for James. He followed this appeance with roles in Double Exposure and Something Wicked This Way Comes. Some TV appearances were Wiseguy, Cagney & Lacey, Hotel, Just a Little Inconvenience and Matters of The Heart .
He was nominated twice for Emmys. Just a Little Inconvenience in 1977 was the first and Cagney & Lacey in 1986 the second. For an incomplete listing of his movie and tv filmography, click here.
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