Personal details
Born:
- Birthday: 1954-09-06
- Born Place: Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
Also Known As:
James Martin Kelly
James Martin Kelly
James Martin Kelly is a veteran American character actor and writer whose career in film and television spans over three decades. Born on September 6, 1954, in Brooklyn, New York, he spent much of his early adulthood working at the post office before deciding to pursue acting professionally. After moving to Florida with his wife and four children in 1988, he began studying the Eric Morris technique, eventually relocating to Los Angeles to capitalize on his growing success as a versatile supporting player. Known for his rugged screen presence and ability to inhabit diverse roles, he has become a reliable figure in Hollywood, often portraying authority figures, law enforcement officers, or gritty urban characters. His extensive filmography includes appearances in several major box-office hits and critically acclaimed projects. He is widely recognized for his role as Rob Farrior in the Tom Cruise action-thriller Jack Reacher (2012) and as Sal in the Steven Soderbergh-directed Magic Mike (2012). Other notable film credits include the sci-fi sequel Men in Black 3, the musical Rock of Ages, and the 2020 comedy The War with Grandpa, where he shared a memorable comedic scene with Robert De Niro. Most recently, he appeared in the 2025 survival drama Not Without Hope, portraying Stu Schuyler, the father of the real-life sole survivor Nick Schuyler. On television, Kelly has amassed a long list of credits across popular dramas and comedies. He held a significant role as Sullivan in the Frank Darabont crime series Mob City and portrayed Marco Voci in The Walking Dead: World Beyond. His guest appearances range from classic procedurals like NCIS, Criminal Minds, and CSI: NY to prestige dramas such as Mad Men, Dexter, and Bosch.
