James Lee Wainwright"Obituaries/Funeral Announcements". The Los Angeles Times. December 22, 1999. p. 34. Retrieved August 25, 2024. (March 5, 1938 – December 20, 1999) was an American actor best known for his roles in films such as Joe Kidd (1972), The President's Plane Is Missing (1973), Killdozer (1974), Bridger (1976, as Jim Bridger), The Private Files of J. Edgar Hoover (1977), Mean Dog Blues (1978), Battletruck (1982) and The Survivors (1983).
His television appearances include Beyond Westworld and Jigsaw.
Early life and career Born out of wedlock in Danville, Illinois and left in a foundling home in Chicago when he was two days old,"United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6KQM-21MT : 10 February 2023), James Lee Wainwright, .Shull, Richard (October 17, 1972). "Character Actor Jim Wainwright Has Played Himself 34 Years". Pensacola News Journal. p. 5. Retrieved August 25, 2024. Wainwright was raised by a succession of foster parents before being adopted at either five or six years of age by Leo Wainwright and Esther L. Embry.Fox, Vernon (UPI Hollywood Correspondent). "Actor Chooses TV Role Over Part in Sure Hit". October 15, 1972. p. 17. Retrieved August 25, 1972 By 1950, the Wainwrights had separated, but James continued to live with his adoptive mother."United States Census, 1950", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6X18-Z1PJ : Thu Oct 05 10:05:22 UTC 2023), Entry for Esther L Wainwright and James M Wainwright, 10 April 1950.
The adoptive cousin (once removed) of General Jonathan M. Wainwright,Wood, Mary (October 21, 1972). "Wainwright Was a Missing Person". The Cincinnati Post TV Time Magazine. p. 3. Retrieved August 25, 2024. James Wainwright served with distinction in the United States Marines during the Korean War.
Personal life and death From 1967 until their divorce in 1978, Wainwright was married to Janet L. Cook."TV Mailbox". Sunday Post-Crescent TV Time. October 6, 1974. p. 23. Retrieved August 25, 2024."California Divorce Index, 1966-1984," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VPT2-4WZ : 15 May 2014), Janet L Cook and James L Wainwright, Oct 1977; from "California Divorce Index, 1966-1984," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2007); citing Los Angeles, California, Health Statistics, California Department of Health Services, Sacramento."California Divorce Index, 1966-1984," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VP5F-TVJ : 27 November 2014), James L Wainwright and Janet L, 18 May 1978; from "California Divorce Index, 1966-1984," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2007); citing Los Angeles, California, Health Statistics, California Department of Health Services, Sacramento. They had two children, both daughters. On March 26, 1973, Wainwright and his wife appeared together as themselves, competing against Dave Madden and his wife, on the TV game show It's Your Bet."Monday Morning, March 26". Sunday Call-Chronicle. March 25, 1973. p. TV18. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
Wainwright died on December 20, 1999 at age 61 from lung cancer, survived by his two daughters.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes 1969 The Virginian Jack Withers Episode: "Last Grave at Socorro Creek" 1971 The Virginian Boyd Dewey Episode: "The Animal" 1972 Joe Kidd Olin Mingo 1973 The President's Plane Is Missing General Dunbar 1973 A Woman Called Moses Andrew Coleman 1974 Killdozer Jules 'Dutch' Krasner 1974 Cannon Roy Episode: "Duel in the Desert" 1975 Cannon Old Coach Episode: "Search and Destroy" 1976 Bridger Jim Bridger 1977 The Private Files of J. Edgar Hoover Young J. Edgar Hoover 1977 Hawaii Five-O Richard Royce Episode: "Shake Hands with the Man on the Moon" 1977 The Oregon Trail Hubbard Episode: "The Man Who Wouldn't Die" 1978 Mean Dog Blues Sergeant Hubbell Wacker 1979 M*A*S*H Lieutenant Colonel Lacy Episode: "Preventative Medicine" 1979 The Incredible Hulk Tom Wallace Episode: "No Escape" 1979 Undercover with the KKK T.J. Barker 1979 Vega$ Theo Latimer Episode: "Shadow on a Star" 1982 Battletruck Straker 1982 Magnum, P.I. Lyden Episode: "Past Tense" 1983 The Survivors Wes Huntley 1986 Stingray Henry Pollard Episode: "Below The Line" 1988 Hell Raiders 'Boom-Boom' Callahan 1990 Mission Manila Harrison (final film role)
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