James’ first acting experience was in the high school Senior Class play as "Charlie Davenport", the barker in "Annie Get Your Gun." At the University of Michigan he played football and rugby, and studied hosting TV at U. of Michigan TV Center, while earning a BS in Conservation Education, MS in Resource Planning and a Ph.D. in environmental psychology and mass media. In addition to teaching at the Universities of Michigan, W. Washington State, Oregon and Washington, he has given lectures all across North America, and in Japan and UK to audiences up to 2000, appeared on “Donahue,” “Good Morning America,” and NHK, published 10 non-fiction books and one novel that have sold over 250,000 copies; and was a Columnist for ESPNOutdoors for ten years. Since the 1970’s he also has consulted with local, state and federal law enforcement on various aspects of environmental crime, including terrorism, and from 2010-2013 he was Co-Executive Producer of the “Wild Justice” Docu-reality show on National Geographic.

James’ first big screen acting was in "Tucker" The Man and His Dream," where he was places in a scene with Martin Landau who encouraged him to be an actor. That was quickly followed by James playing the third base coach of the Toronto Blue Jayes in “Angels in The Outfield” where he was a stunt performer and earned his SAG card. Following that he studied acting with the San Francisco SAG Conservatory, College of Marin Drama Dept., and was coached by Anne Brebner, while appearing in 20 feature films including “Jack” where he was a phys. Ed. teacher who competed with Robin Williams for J. Lo; “Murder In The First” where he was Kevin Bacon’s Escort Guard on Alcatraz; and “Nine Months” where he was a precision driver nearly hitting Hugh Grant as they careened down a hill; three scripted TV series – “Midnight Caller,” “Jesse Hawkes,” and “Nash Bridges;” and over 30 national commercials, industrials and print ads.

He’s also studied voice with Pamela Polland, and has done voice narration and performed country, folk and rock since the 1970’s. He’s a member of ASCAP and fronted “Recycleman and The No Trash Band” that opened for Gary Lewis and the Playboys, Pride and Joy and others, appeared on ABC News with Peter Jennings and was featured in a national music video to encourage recycling.

James’ special skills include – lecturing and singing to large groups; shooting sports (certified instructor in CA for shotgun and archery); golf (8 handicap); fly fishing; tracking people and wildlife; interviewing people who have been arrested or jailed; conducting research on people who have had extraordinary psychological experiences; canoeing and white water rafting (Outward Bound certified instructor); and martial arts -- hapkido and aikido and weapons.