Image of James McGowan

James McGowan

James Robert McGowan was born on May 30, 1960, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. James is the youngest of three sons of Johnny McGowan a former light heavyweight boxer from Northern England. James grew up on the West Island in Montreal. He graduated from Concordia University with a B.A. in Communications. After graduation he took a job as a copy writer at an advertising agency rather than pursue an acting career as he did not believe he could make a living acting. He then took in the audio-visual department of McGill University. While there he got in touch with a friend who was directing plays at the Montreal university expecting to pursue acting as a hobby. He started out slowly doing student plays at the William Shatner Building. He loved it so much he decided to pursue it as a profession. It wasn't easy breaking into television in Toronto given his age (36) at the time as he was going up against other actors with lengthier resumes. It was hard at first to get auditions. He started out with guest spots in television shows such as the La Femme Nikita, Mutant-X, Falcon Beach, and Rent-a-Goalie. James also had minor roles in movies such as The Perfect Man with Heather Locklear, The Prince and Me with Julie Stiles, and Silent Night with Linda Hamilton. He has had success with two successful television ads. The first ad was entitled Doctor's Appointment and addressed the serious problem of erectile dysfunction. The ad was run continuously throughout the 2001 NHL Finals. The second ad was entitled The Deal and was for Verizon Wireless. One of his first big parts was a role in the TV movie 10,000 Black Men Named George. The 2002 film helped James find more work but he did not find substantial work until he auditioned for the CBC drama The Border. He had sent in an audition tape but had not heard back. He went to Winnipeg to film a guest part on the TV series Falcon Beach. While he was in Winnipeg, his agent contacted him and told him the show's casting directors wanted to meet with him. A second day of callbacks was added and he was able to return to Toronto in time. No one had heard of James but according to Peter Raymont, the co-creator of the show, James brought just the right degree of intelligence, compassion and authority to the character. While the producers were sure that James was right for the part, the network wasn't so sure. One of his biggest credits to that point was playing the goon in the Verizon Wireless commercial. His peers obviously approve of the portrayal. James received a Gemini nomination as outstanding actor in a drama. - IMDb Mini Biography


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Born:
May 30, 1960 In Montreal - Quebec - Canada
Movie/TV Credits:
29
First Appeared:
In the series All Souls 2001-04-17
Latest Project:
Movie The Toll 2021-03-26
Known For
Poster of Stage Fright
Poster of Lies and Crimes
Poster of Scent of Danger
Poster of On Their Knees
Filmography
Movie The Toll Neil 2021-03-26
Movie A Song for Christmas Russell 2017-11-11
Movie Pyewacket Rowen Dove 2017-12-08
Movie Flower Shop Mystery: Mum's the Word Louis Vertucci 2016-01-17
Movie Suicide Squad Panda Man 2016-08-03
Movie How to Plan an Orgy in a Small Town Spencer Goode 2015-09-19
Movie Stage Fright Victor Brady 2014-04-03
Movie Compulsion Bob 2013-06-21
Movie Total Recall Military Adjutant 2012-08-02
Movie The Perfect Teacher Reid 2010-09-12
Series The Border Major Mike Kessler 2008-01-07
Movie Savage Planet John Stotzer 2007-05-26
Series Killer Wave Reporter Erik Adjuk 2007-01-10
Movie Lies and Crimes Charlie Danzinger 2007-03-05
Movie All the Good Ones Are Married Ben 2007-09-29
Movie Christie's Revenge Richard Colton 2007-06-24
Movie Warriors of Terra Peter Isaacs 2006-01-01
Movie The Perfect Man Jean's Suitor 2005-06-17
Movie Plague City: SARS in Toronto Ed 2005-05-29
Movie My Brother's Keeper Scout 2004-10-01
Movie The Prince & Me Photographer 2004-03-28
Movie The Right Way Dad 2004-11-17
Series Mayday Unknown 2003-09-03
Movie DC 9/11: Time of Crisis Michael Gerson 2003-09-07
Movie 10,000 Black Men Named George Desmond 2002-02-24
Movie Silent Night Capt. Dietrich 2002-12-24
Movie Scent of Danger Gideon 2002-10-20
Series All Souls Unknown 2001-04-17
Movie On Their Knees Bartender 2001-10-25