Biography for
Jim Fitzpatrick (IV) More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

28 August 1959, Omaha, Nebraska, USA

Mini Biography

Jim Fitzpatrick was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on Offutt Air Force Base, better known as SAC (Strategic Air Command) headquarters. He eventually returned to Florida where his parents (Jim Sr. and Cookie) are from and began his acting career on the stage at the tender age of 13 when he appeared in his first school play, "A Thousand Clowns", at Seminole (Florida) High School. Jim accepted a football scholarship to Illinois State University as a theater major where he became involved with the Steppenwolf Theatre Company founded by Gary Sinise and John Malkovich. He put aside an acting career to play professional football, however, starting in 1981 with the Hamilton Tiger Cats in the CFL (Canadian Football league) followed by short stints with the Chicago Bears ('81) and the Baltimore Colts ('82). His football career ended when he retired in 1985, after spending three seasons with the Tampa Bay Bandits in the USFL ('83-'85). However, playing for the Bandits was a blessing in disguise. One of the owners of the Bandits was 'Burt Reynolds', who was instrumental in setting Jim's career in Los Angeles in motion. Jim began auditioning for productions during the off-seasons. Before moving to L.A., he landed parts in "Miami Vice" (1984), Cocoon (1985) and D.A.R.Y.L. (1985). Since then, Jim has appeared in over 30 plays for the stage (six of which he has written, produced and directed in Los Angeles). He has also starred and guest-starred in over 50 roles in films and television such as U.S. Seals, Operation Delta Force 3: Clear Target, Armageddon (1998), Star Trek: "Star Trek: Enterprise" (2001), "JAG" (1995) and "All My Children" (1970).

Besides acting, James has written, produced and directed a poignant romantic dramedy entitled An American Reunion (2003), one of 33 screenplays he has written and produced. James filmed a pilot for a TV series called Supernatural (2005) (TV), which he executive-produced and directed. Jim, his actress wife, Jodi Knotts, and their two sons, J.J. Fitzpatrick and Jadon Fitzpatrick, have recently moved from Los Angeles to Seminole, Florida, where he is directing the fifth film, after completing the first a series of three called The Adventure Scouts (2010).

IMDb Mini Biography By: Julienne Ford

Spouse

Jodi Knotts

(4 July 1990 - present) 2 children

Trivia

His "Star Trek: Enterprise" (2001) character, Commander Williams, was named after William Shatner.

Set-up Cameron Diaz with his agent, which helped launch her professional acting career.

Jimmy was the first Tarzan at the theme park Busch Gardens, in Tampa Florida.

In 1987, Jimmy became close friends with feature director Michael Bay (Armageddon, Bad Boys 1 & 2, The Rock). They met while Michael was still attending film school in college and holding auditions, when Michael asked Jimmy to Star in Senior Thesis Project. In fact, Jimmy has starred in over 18 different Films, National Commercials, Music Videos, and a short, titled 'Evicted', for Michael. They're still close friends to this day.

He and Sam Shepard became friends in the late 80s, during an evening of Tequila and a deep discussion about the philosophy of writing two- and three- act semi-autobiographical plays for the stage. Several years later, James co-starred in one of Sam's most controversial Pulitzer Prize-winning plays, entitled, "Curse of The Starving Class".

Writer/director David Klass was his best-man at his wedding to Jodi Knotts, aboard a 33 ft. yacht in the San Francisco bay, on the fourth of July, 1990.

In 1986, he and his best friend, director/producer Corbin Timbrook, met at an audition for a feature film titled 'Money Can't Buy Me Love,' vying for the role of the same character. He and Corbin have since worked together over 20 times in feature films, TV series episodes, and theatrical plays for the stage in Los Angeles.

Father, with Jodi Knotts, of sons J.J. Fitzpatrick and Jadon Fitzpatrick.

While attending Illinois State University, James frequented the City of Chicago where he met and became friends with several influential individuals in the 1970's, such as, Nobel Prize Winner Linus Pauling, Chicago City Mayor Richard Daley Sr...and finally Hugh Hefner, founder of the Playboy Club and Magazine.

Personal Quotes

If all things are possible, then the possibilties are endless.

My heart dreams of love, my mind dreams of life, my soul dreams of you...wherever, and whoever you are.

Hindsight is knowledge...Insight is wisdom...Foresight is genius.

In my findings, our physical, psychological and emotional characteristics called instincts, are nothing more than stored genetic memory, handed-down from every generation of ancestry that came before us.

Filmmaking is a constantly evolving process of expression...and it is our hearts, minds, bodies and souls experiences, that is truly the muse. Those artists that take heed of life's humbling lessons, are the more fortunate ones. It is truly a gift from God, to be able to share those internal, emotional colors and sounds.

The depth of our loss in death...is directly proportionate to the depth of our love of life.

Where Are They Now

(November 2005) Living in Florida where he has launched a Feature Film Production Co. called PacAtlantic Pictures. His first Picture out of the box will be, 'National Lampoon's, The Last Guy on Earth,' which he is Producing and Directing.

(June 2006) Currently Producing and Starring in the classic teen-horror-film, 'Hallows Point,' his second feature film he is Producing in less than six months.

(January 2007) Producing & Directing two high-concept comedy children's films in the Sarasota Florida area. The first tilted, "Scouts Honor,' with a dozen NFL Football Players. The second, 'Scouts Honor, Homeland Security.'

(September 2007) Formed a Television Commercial Company called 'Stargate Sports Commercials', with Co-Producers Sam Nicholson (Stargate Digital Films), Mike Rocha (Creative East) & Katherine Laughlin.

(March 2008) He and a couple of his friends and business partners Sam Nicholson (Stargate Digital Films) & Mike Rocha (Creative East), have formed a High-Tech Commercial Company called Stargate Digital Sports, LLC, which will cater to Professional Sports Organizations such as the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, NASCAR and all NCAA Sports, with superior crossover content for Television Commericals that can be utilized on Stadium Jumbotrons, as well.

(July 2010) James and his Production team of James D. Brubaker, Corbin Timbrook, Mike Rocha, Jodi Knotts & Kip Radigan, are preparing to shoot their next Project titled, "A Fonder Heart." Starring: Daryl Hannah, James Brolin, Shelly Long, Rachel Hunter, Logan Lerman, Louis Gosett, Jr., Charles Durning, Ron Silver, Gary Graham and William Shatner in a cameo role.

(March 2012) Las Vegas, Nevada, Los Angeles, California and New York City, New York: Shooting 'Soulmates'.