Brion James (February 20, 1945 - August 7, 1999) was an American TV and Movie Character Actor who appeared in Season One's Mork's Greatest Hit as George.
Biography[]
Brion Howard James was born February 20, 1945, in Redlands, California, to Ida Mae (Buckelew) and Jimmy James, and had two brothers Craig and Chester. The family soon moved to Beaumont, California (between Los Angeles and Palm Springs), where his parents built and operated a movie theater, where stars such as Gene Autry would occasionally stop by. After graduating from Beaumont High School in 1962, Brion attended San Diego State University, majoring in theater arts. Upon graduation he moved to New York to study acting with the renowned Stella Adler, while working a variety of jobs to support himself in the early years. He also did a stint in the National Guard.
He and fellow actor Tim Thomerson served in Vietnam in the army together and later made several films together.
James died August 7th 1999 after suffering a heart attack at his home in Malibu, California. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered at sea.
Career[]
A veteran of over 100 television and 120+ movie roles, James is best remembered for roles such as the replicant Leon in Blade Runner (1982), Gen. Munro in The Fifth Element (1997), Big Teddy in Cabin Boy (1994), Max Jenke in The Horror Show (1989) (his personal favorite) as well as countless other parts in films like Southern Comfort (1981), The Player (1992), Tango & Cash (1989), 48 Hrs. (1982), Another 48 Hrs. (1990), Enemy Mine (1985) and Silverado (1985).
He appeared in five feature films that were released posthumously. The last of these was Phoenix Point (2005).
The motion picture The King Is Alive (2000) was dedicated to him
Television[]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | The Waltons | Henry Ferris Jr. | Episode: "The Birthday" |
| 1975 | Gunsmoke | Joe Barnes | Episode: "Manolo" |
| 1977 | Roots | Slaver | TV mini-series |
| 1977 | The Rockford Files | Clamshell | Episode: "The Battle of Canoga Park" |
| 1978 | Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park | Second-in-command park security | TV movie |
| 1978 | The Incredible Hulk | Al | Episode: "Alice in Disco Land" |
| 1978 | Mork & Mindy | George | Episode: "Mork's Greatest Hit" |
| 1978 | Chico and the Man | Hog | Episode: "Waiting for Chongo" |
| 1979 | B. J. and the Bear | Bomber / Patrol Officer | 2 episodes |
| 1979–1981 | CHiPs | Ackerman / Monk | 3 episodes |
| 1980 | Galactica 1980 | Willy | Episode: "Galactica Discovers Earth: Part 1" |
| 1980 | The Jeffersons | Dirty Dog | Episode: "The Arrival: Part 2" |
| 1981 | Benson | Axe-Man | Episode: "The Grass Ain't Greener" |
| 1982 | Little House on the Prairie | Amos | Episode: "A Faraway Cry" |
| 1982 | Quincy, M.E. | Henry Muller | Episode: "Sleeping Dogs" |
| 1982 | Hear No Evil | Billy Boy Burns | TV movie |
| 1982–1984 | The Dukes of Hazzard | Captain Slater / Jenkins | 2 episodes |
| 1983 | The Gambler: The Adventure Continues | Reece | TV movie |
| 1983–1985 | The A-Team | David Plout / Ryder | 2 episodes |
| 1985 | The Fall Guy | Episode: "The King of the Stuntmen" | |
| 1985 | Amazing Stories | Willie Joe | Episode: "Mummy Daddy" |
| 1986 | Dynasty | Hawkins | 2 episodes |
| 1986 | Annihilator | Alien Leader | TV movie |
| 1986–1988 | Sledge Hammer! | Don Merrill / Felix Ridel | 2 episodes |
| 1987 | Matlock | Mr. Grock | Episode: "The Author" |
| 1987 | The Hitchhiker | Lionel | Episode: "Best Shot" |
| 1988 | Miami Vice | Edward Reese | Episode: " Borrasca" |
| 1988–1991 | Hunter | Thomas Duffy / Lt. Jeff Wadsworth | 2 episodes |
| 1991 | Tales from the Crypt | Steve Dixon | Episode: "Split Second" |
| 1992–1993 | Batman: The Animated Series | Irving | Voice
2 episodes |
| 1993 | Renegade | Eli Starke | Episode: "Moody River" |
| 1993 | Rio Diablo | Jake Walker | TV movie |
| 1994 | Silk Stalkings | Rupert Tarlow | Episode: "T.K.O." |
| 1994 | Knight Rider 2010 | Jared | TV movie |
| 1994 | Highlander: The Series | Armand Thorne | Episode: "The Cross of St. Antoine" |
| 1996 | Aaahh!!! Real Monsters | Big Orderly / Chimera | Voice
2 episodes |
| 1996 | Assault on Dome 4 | Chairman | TV movie |
| 1996–1997 | Superman: The Animated Series | Rudy Jones / Parasite | Voice
3 episodes |
| 1997 | Walker, Texas Ranger | Rafer Cobb | 2 episodes |
| 1997–1999 | Todd McFarlane's Spawn | Voice
6 episodes | |
| 1998 | Millennium | Sheriff Bowman | Episode: "Luminary" |
| 1998 | Men in White | General | TV movie |
| 1998 | Men in Black: The Series | Drekk | Voice
2 episodes |
| 1998–1999 | The Magnificent Seven | Stuart James | 2 episodes |
Mork & Mindy[]
Brion James appeared once in Mork & Mindy, in possibly one of the most well remembered 'nasty roles, George the jerk who hits on Mindy and then refuses to take no for answer, manhandling her, and when Mork accidentally embarrasses him, embarks on a vendetta on the pacifist Orkan.