Biography for
James Read (II) More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

31 July 1953, Buffalo, New York, USA

Birth Name

James Christopher Read

Nickname

Jim

Height

6' 2" (1.88 m)

Mini Biography

James Christopher Read was born on July 31, 1953, in Buffalo, New York, into a well prospered family. He had never dreamed about acting until his collegiate years. He started studying law at Oregon University, but close to his graduation, he discovered his love for theatre. He left the university and joined a theatrical group in Denver. His movie and TV career started in 1982 when he played one of the main roles in the "Remington Steele" (1982) series as well as guest-starring in other different series. His most important career moment was in the year 1985 when he received the role of George Hazard in one of the most popular and successful mini-series ever in "North and South" (1985) (although he had not been convinced if he should accept the role!). Before starting doing the show, Read has spent a few weeks at Patrick Swayze's ranch, where Swayze taught him to ride a horse. During his first month on "North and South" (1985) set, Read met Wendy Kilbourne. They started dating, got married soon thereafter, and are still together to this day. In 1986, Read played Hazard once again in the "North and South" (1985) sequel entitled "North and South, Book II" (1986). He re-prised the role once again in 1994 in "Heaven & Hell: North & South, Book III" (1994).

Read has performed in dozens of other movies and series, but none of them reached the same popularity as the three North and South mini-series. Though he has never been "a Star," he is well-liked and his work is enjoyed by viewers all over the world. He lives with Kilbourne, their son Jackson (born 1991), daughter Sydney, 2 dogs (Charlie and Hank), and cat Mable in California.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Terry George

Mini Biography

James Christopher Read was born on July 31, 1953 and was raised in Schenectady, New York. He gained his first experience as an actor in an amateur production while still in high school, but entered the University of Vermont as a forestry major in 1971. He dropped out of college after a year to work and travel abroad, and eventually resumed his education at the University of Oregon performing in numerous theatrical productions before graduating in 1976. He began his professional career in New York City, and then in regional theaters (primarily Denver, Colorado) before moving in Los Angeles in 1981. In 1982 James was cast as a series regulars in "Remington Steele" (1982). He left that show after the first season and appeared in a quick succession of other tv series and movies before landing the starring role of George Hazard in "North and South" (1985), a twelve-hour epic which became one of the most popular and successful mini-series of all time. During rehearsals on that project, he met and fell in love with Wendy Kilbourne, the actress who was cast to play his love interest in the series. After marrying for the first time on film, they officially tied the knot in 1988 and remain married today. Read played Hazard again in the 12 hour sequel, "North and South, Book II" (1986), and once again in "Heaven and Hell: North & South, Book III" (1994). James has performed in dozens of other movies and series through his career, notably in "Beaches" (1988), "Eight Men Out" (1988), and as Cary Grant opposite Farah Fawcett in "Poor Little Rich Girl" (1987). He recently spent four seasons as a regular on the TV series "Wildfire" (2005-2008)_ where he also directed for the first time. James was granted a Masters degree in psychology from Pepperdine University in 1997. He and Wendy have a son Jackson (born 1990) and a daughter Sydney (1995). They live in California.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Karla Nelson

Spouse

Wendy Kilbourne	(1988 - present) 2 children
Lora Lee	(June 1978 - ?) (divorced)

Trivia

Read met his wife Wendy Kilbourne when they played husband and wife in the television movie "North and South" (1985).

Lives with wife Wendy Kilbourne; son Jackson; daughter Sydney; 2 dogs Charlie and Hank; and one cat Mable.