James Stephens (born May 18, 1951) is an American actor best known for his starring role as James T. Hart in the television series The Paper Chase. He is also known for his role in Tom Bosley's ABC television series, Father Dowling Mysteries (1989-1991), in which he was cast as Father Philip Prestwick.
Biography James Stephens was born in Mount Kisco, New York. He is best known for his role as idealistic Minnesota-born law student James T. Hart in The Paper Chase (1978–1979 and 1983–1986), taking on the role originated by Timothy Bottoms in the movie of the same name.
His first role was as C. L. Bradley in the pilot and two episodes of the ABC western series, How the West Was Won, starring James Arness. He guest-starred in such series as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Diagnosis: Murder, L.A. Law, Matlock, Moonlighting, M*A*S*H, Eischied, multiple characters on Murder, She Wrote, a recurring role on Cagney & Lacey, and the role of the young Doctor Auschlander in 1945 in flashbacks on St. Elsewhere. His film appearances have included roles in True Grit: A Further Adventure (1978), First Monday in October (1981), The Getaway (1994), A Perry Mason Mystery:The Case of the Lethal Lifestyle (1994), and Against the Law (1997).
Filmography
Film +YearTitleRoleNotes1981First Monday in OctoberMason Woods1983Two of a KindRonCredited as James 'Stevens'1989Caddie WoodlawnJohn Woodlawn1994The GetawayHarold Carvey, DVM1997Against the LawDet. Ben Hamada1998HijackHarold Besser
Television YearTitleRoleNotes1978How the West Was WonC.L. Bradley2 episodes1978True Grit: A Further AdventureJoshua SumnerTelevision film1978–1986The Paper ChaseJames T. Hart58 episodes1979EischiedColvin2 episodes1979The Death of Ocean View ParkPhil BradyTelevision film1980M*A*S*HPrivate David SheridanEpisode: "Morale Victory"1980TouristSteve KonayTelevision film1980The Littlest HoboKevin WheelerEpisode: "Portrait of Danger"1982Mysterious TwoTim ArmstrongTelevision film1984–1994Murder, She WroteVarious roles4 episodes1986St. ElsewhereOne episode as the young Daniel AuschlanderEpisode: "Time Heals: Part 2"1986Gone to TexasStephen F. AustinTelevision film1987Houston KnightsJonathan LinderEpisode: "God's Will"1987Fatal Confession: A Father Dowling MysteryFather Philip PrestwickTelevision film198821 Jump StreetMark RaffertyEpisode: "I'm Okay, You Need Work"1988HotelJonas RobinsonEpisode: "Power Play"1988Cagney & LaceyLt. Jim Thornton3 episodes1988Pancho BarnesRankin BarnesTelevision film1989General HospitalAphrodite CaptainEpisode dated 12 May 19891989MoonlightingMark CharnockEpisode: "Lunar Eclipse"1989–1991Father Dowling MysteriesFather Philip Prestwick37 episodes1990Follow Your HeartHowardTelevision film1993MatlockDr. Duncan FarmingtonEpisode: "The Divorce"1994L.A. LawDr. Michael JoyceEpisode: "God Is My Co-Counsel"1994MacShayne: The Final Roll of the DicePatrick BlondelTelevision film1994A Perry Mason Mystery: The Case of the Lethal LifestyleDaniel Kingman1994–1998Diagnosis: MurderIan Trainor / Dr. Niven3 episodes1997Buffy the Vampire SlayerDr. WeirickEpisode: "The Pack"1998Beyond Belief: Fact or FictionTom NorthEpisode: "The Gun"2002Courage the Cowardly DogVoice13 episodes
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