Who Is James Cromwell? Age, Biography, and Wiki
James Cromwell, the acclaimed American actor, was born on January 27, 1940. As of 2025, he is 85 years old. Cromwell is best known for his versatile performances across film and television, having gained recognition for his roles in iconic films such as Babe, L.A. Confidential, and The Green Mile. His impressive career spans over four decades, during which he has garnered numerous awards, including an Academy Award nomination, Primetime Emmy Awards, and Screen Actors Guild Awards.
| Occupation | Voice Actors |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 27, 1940 |
| Age | 85 Years |
| Birth Place | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Aquarius |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
James Cromwell's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
James Cromwell stands at an impressive height of 6 feet 7 inches (201 cm), which adds to his commanding presence on screen. Throughout his life, he has maintained a robust physique, though specific weight data has been less publicized. Cromwell is known for his strong features and distinctive voice, contributing to his memorable performances.
Cromwell is known for his height; at 6ft 7in, he is the tallest actor nominated for an Academy Award. His son John is even taller, standing 6ft 8in. In the 2012 film Memorial Day, John played the young Bud Vogel, while James played him as a grandfather, and both Cromwells appear as the same character at different ages in American Horror Story: Asylum (2012) and the first season of Betrayal (2013).
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, James Cromwell is married to actress Julie Cobb. They got married in 2014 and have been supportive of each other's careers in the entertainment industry. Cromwell has a son, John, from a previous marriage. While he keeps much of his personal life private, there's often speculation and interest in his relationships, particularly due to his long tenure in Hollywood and activism.
He is the son of actress Kay Johnson and actor and director John Cromwell, who was blacklisted during the McCarthy era. His parents divorced in 1946. He has English, German, Irish, and Scottish ancestry. He was raised in Manhattan, New York City.
Cromwell graduated from The Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania in 1958, and went on to Middlebury College, and Carnegie Mellon University, where he graduated with a B.F.A. in 1964. He received his acting training at HB Studio.
Net Worth and Salary
In 2025, James Cromwell's estimated net worth is around $8 million. His earnings primarily come from his extensive acting career in films and television shows, along with ventures into producing and directing. Cromwell has consistently worked in Hollywood, ensuring a steady influx of income throughout his career, supplemented by public speaking engagements and appearances.
Cromwell served as the narrator of the short film Farm to Fridge, a documentary produced by Mercy for Animals.
In February 2013, Cromwell was arrested along with animal rights activist Jeremy Beckham for interrupting a University of Wisconsin Board of Regents meeting while showing a graphic photo of a cat to protest about alleged mistreatment of animals on campus.
The incident, which garnered widespread press coverage, was resolved on March 25, 2013, when an attorney representing Cromwell entered no-contest pleas to the non-criminal offense and agreed to pay $100 forfeitures and court costs of $263.50.
In December 2015, he was removed from an event in New York for heckling an energy company receiving an award. On December 18, 2015, Cromwell and five other people were arrested while protesting against the construction of a natural gas power station in Wawayanda, New York, near his home in Warwick, New York.
He and his fellow protesters, called the "Wawayanda Six", were convicted of disorderly conduct and obstruction of traffic. They were fined $375, due June 29, 2017, and sentenced to 16 hours of community service. After refusing to pay the fine, he was sentenced to a week in jail, scheduled to go on July 14.
However, they were released three days later on July 17. Cromwell and fellow Star Trek actor J. G. Hertzler were among the 19 people arrested in Watkins Glen, New York, on June 6, 2016, for a protest against underground gas storage in salt caverns near Seneca Lake.
On June 6, 2017, he was escorted out of a Democratic Party fundraiser (which New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and House Minority leader Nancy Pelosi attended) after disrupting the event by protesting about the power station.
Cromwell was again arrested, this time for trespassing after taking part in a protest along with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) at Seaworld on July 24.
Career, Business, and Investments
Cromwell's illustrious career began in theater before transitioning to television and film, where he quickly made a name for himself. He has taken on various roles that emphasize his range, from dramas to comedies. Beyond acting, Cromwell is also known for his activism and has invested in causes related to animal rights and environmental conservation, aligning his personal values with his professional undertakings.
Cromwell's first television performance was in a 1974 episode of The Rockford Files playing Terry, a tennis instructor. A few weeks later, he began a recurring role as Stretch Cunningham on All in the Family.
In 1975, he took his first lead role on television as Bill Lewis in the short-lived Hot l Baltimore, and appeared on M*A*S*H as Captain Leo Bardonaro in the episode "Last Laugh". A year later, he made his film debut in Neil Simon's classic detective spoof Murder by Death.
Cromwell portrayed four different characters in four episodes of Barney Miller (1977–1981). In 1977, he appeared in Three's Company episode "Chrissy's Night Out" as Detective Lannigan.
Social Network
James Cromwell is active on social media, particularly Twitter, where he shares insights about his projects, advocacy work, and thoughts on various issues. His presence on social media enables him to connect with fans and fellow activists, raising awareness about pressing social issues alongside promoting his work.
Cromwell is also well known for his roles in television including Angels in America (2003), Six Feet Under (2003–2005), American Horror Story: Asylum (2012–2013), for which he won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie, Boardwalk Empire (2012–2013), The Young Pope (2016), Counterpart (2018–2019)
, Succession (2018–2023), for which he earned three Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Guest Actor, and Sugar (2024).
Education
Cromwell graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in theater. His educational background laid a strong foundation for his successful career in acting, allowing him to hone his craft on stage before making the leap to screen acting.
While Cromwell continued with regular television work throughout the 1980s, he made appearances in films with supporting roles in Tank, Revenge of the Nerds, and Oh, God! You Devil (all 1984). He guest-starred on the sitcom Night Court, playing a mental patient, along with Kevin Peter Hall.
He had a starring role in the critically acclaimed film Babe (1995), for which he received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, and reprised his role in the sequel, Babe: Pig in the City (1998). Subsequent roles included Eraser (1996), The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996), The Education of Little Tree (1997), L.A.
Confidential (1997), Deep Impact (1998), The Green Mile (1999), The General's Daughter, (1999), Snow Falling on Cedars (1999), Space Cowboys (2000), The Sum of All Fears (2002), I, Robot (2004), and The Longest Yard (2005). He also voiced the Colonel in DreamWorks' Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002).
