James Naughton (born December 6, 1945) is an American director, and theater, film and television actor.
Naughton was born in Middletown, Connecticut, the son of Rosemary (née Walsh) and Joseph Naughton, both of whom were teachers He is the brother of actor David Naughton. He graduated from Conard High School . Jim began singing during his years at Conard High School "with the high school band and at parties."
Naughton graduated from Brown University and Yale Drama School. His acting career began when he appeared in a series of Broadway dramas and musicals. He has since become an accomplished actor in both starring and supporting film and television roles.
His largest fame and first love has been the legitimate theater. He won the Theatre World Award for his performance in Long Day's Journey Into Night in 1971. He went on to star with Geneviève Bujold in Antigone , which was later made into a film in 1974. He starred in I Love My Wife in 1977, and in Whose Life is it Anyway? opposite Mary Tyler Moore in 1980. He won his first Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical in 1990 for City of Angels . In 1997 he won a second Tony Award with his portrayal of lawyer Billy Flynn in the musical Chicago . He played the role of Willy Brandt in Democracy on its U.S. première in 2004. His films include The Paper Chase and The First Wives Club . In 2006, he appeared in the movie The Devil Wears Prada . In 2006, he played Fuzzy Sedgwick in Factory Girl .
Television and commercials On television, he starred in Faraday & Company with Dan Dailey and Sharon Gless (1973–1974). He also starred with Ron Harper in the 1974 television series Planet of the Apes , a spin-off of the original film. He starred in Making the Grade and Trauma Center in the early 1980s. He starred in the short lived series Raising Miranda in 1988. He co-starred with Bill Cosby in The Cosby Mysteries in 1995. He appeared with Gless twenty years later, this time as her husband in Cagney and Lacey: The Return (1993) and Cagney and Lacey: Together Again (1995). He appeared on Damages with Glenn Close . Naughton also had a recurring role on Gossip Girl as the powerful William van der Bilt, grandfather of main character Nate Archibald.
He has appeared in television commercials promoting the drugs Cialis, Nexium and Nasalcrom. Mr. Naughton has also been the official voice of Audi in the U.S. since 2007. His voice can be heard in their national TV and Radio spots. He is also a frequent narrator on PBS television's Nature series.
He has directed several plays in New York, including the 2002 revival of Thornton Wilder 's Our Town , starring his close personal friend Paul Newman , which was filmed for cable TV in 2003. He appears in cabarets in New York City, including Manhattan Theater Club and Caroline's Comedy Club.
His family is Irish American. He and his late wife, Pam Parsons, have two actor children: Keira and Greg. Greg is now married to actress Kelli O'Hara . Pam died on April 9, 2013, as a result of pancreatic cancer.
Long Day's Journey into Night (1971)Antigone (1972)I Love My Wife (1979)Whose Life is it Anyway? (1980)City of Angels (1990) (Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical)Four Baboons Adoring the Sun (1992)Chicago (1996) (Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical)The Price (director) (1999)Our Town (2003)Prymate (2004)Democracy - 2004Actor
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Grief Studies: SilverSizzle (Short) (filming) as
Jamie
2023
Supreme: The Battle for Roe (Podcast Series) as
Representative Simmons
- The Most Controversial Man in America (2023) - Representative Simmons
2023
Not the Same Clarence (Short) as
Clarence
2020
The Accidental Wolf (TV Series) - Cockfight (2022)
- Episode #3.4 (2022)
- Episode #3.2 (2022)
- Episode #3.1 (2022)
- 50/50 (2020)
2022
Past Prologue (Short) as
Robert
2021
And Just Like That... (TV Series) as
Big's Brother
- Seeing the Light (2022) - Big's Brother
- Little Black Dress (2021) - Big's Brother
2018
The Romanoffs (TV Series) as
Dmitri
- The Royal We (2018) - Dmitri
2018
Cathedral (Short) as
Robert (voice)
2018
The Independents as
Officer Sanders
2017
The Tap (TV Series) as
Judge Link
- Pilot (2017) - Judge Link
2016
Odd Mom Out (TV Series) as
Larry Manassian
- M.F.A. in B.S. (2017) - Larry Manassian
- Ode to Joy (2016) - Larry Manassian
2015
The Affair (TV Series) as
Rodney Callahan
- Episode #2.9 (2015) - Rodney Callahan
2015
The Blacklist (TV Series) as
Hayworth
- Ruslan Denisov (No. 67) (2015) - Hayworth
2014
Turks & Caicos (TV Movie) as
Frank Church
2013
Hostages (TV Series) as
President Paul Kincaid
- Endgame (2014) - President Paul Kincaid
- Suspicious Minds (2014) - President Paul Kincaid
- Off the Record (2013) - President Paul Kincaid
- Loose Ends (2013) - President Paul Kincaid
- The Good Reason (2013) - President Paul Kincaid
- Hail Mary (2013) - President Paul Kincaid
- Power of Persuasion (2013) - President Paul Kincaid
- Invisible Leash (2013) - President Paul Kincaid
- Pilot (2013) - President Paul Kincaid
2013
Creepy Carrots! (Video short) as
Narrator (voice)
2013
Golden Boy (TV Series) as
Marvin Drexler
- Just Say No (2013) - Marvin Drexler
2009
Gossip Girl (TV Series) as
William van der Bilt
- Father and the Bride (2012) - William van der Bilt
- Riding in Town Cars with Boys (2011) - William van der Bilt
- Rhodes to Perdition (2011) - William van der Bilt
- All the Pretty Sources (2011) - William van der Bilt
- The Big Sleep No More (2011) - William van der Bilt
- The Grandfather: Part II (2009) - William van der Bilt
- Reversals of Fortune (2009) - William van der Bilt
- The Goodbye Gossip Girl (2009) - William van der Bilt
- Seder Anything (2009) - William van der Bilt
- The Grandfather (2009) - William van der Bilt
2010
Blue Bloods (TV Series) as
Chief Bell
- What You See (2010) - Chief Bell
2009
Speed Grieving (Short) as
Father
2009
Clear Blue Tuesday as
Executive
2009
Warehouse 13 (TV Series) as
Gilbert Radburn
- Elements (2009) - Gilbert Radburn
2009
Damages (TV Series) as
Sam Arsenault
- You Got Your Prom Date Pregnant (2009) - Sam Arsenault
- I Lied, Too. (2009) - Sam Arsenault
2008
BartonCC (Short) as
WW2 General
2007
Suburban Girl as
Robert Eisenberg
2006
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (TV Series) as
Charlie Moss
- Loophole (2007) - Charlie Moss
- Recall (2006) - Charlie Moss
2006
Factory Girl as
Fuzzy Sedgwick
2006
The Devil Wears Prada as
Stephen
2006
Out of Practice (TV Series) as
Dr. Jack Arbogast
- Doctor of the Year (2006) - Dr. Jack Arbogast
- Breaking Up Is Hard to Do. And Do. And- - Dr. Jack Arbogast
2005
American Masters (TV Series documentary) as
Ernest Hemingway
- Ernest Hemingway: Rivers to the Sea (2005) - Ernest Hemingway (voice)
2004
The Littlest Light on the Christmas Tree (Short) as
Tim Wiggins a.k.a. Narrator (voice)
2004
Fascination as
Patrick Doherty
2002
Law & Order: Criminal Intent (TV Series) as
Dr. Roger Buckman
- Seizure (2002) - Dr. Roger Buckman
2002
The Education of Max Bickford (TV Series) as
Lyle Dumont
- Murder of the First (2002) - Lyle Dumont
2002
100 Centre Street (TV Series) as
Detective Rowlings
- End of the Month (2002) - Detective Rowlings
1999
Ally McBeal (TV Series) as
George McBeal
- The Wedding (2001) - George McBeal
- Ally McBeal: The Musical, Almost (2000) - George McBeal
- Troubled Water (1999) - George McBeal
- Heat Wave (1999) - George McBeal
2001
Big Apple (TV Series) as
Lawrence Stark
- Episode #1.7 (2001) - Lawrence Stark
- A Ministering Angel (2001) - Lawrence Stark
- No Good Deed (2001) - Lawrence Stark
2000
Labor Pains as
Dr. Senior
2000
The Truth About Jane (TV Movie) as
Robert
1997
Liberty! The American Revolution (TV Mini Series) as
Patrick Henry
- The World Turned Upside Down: 1778-1783 (1997) - Patrick Henry
- Are We to Be a Nation? 1783-1788 (1997) - Patrick Henry
- The Times That Try Men's Souls: 1776-1777 (1997) - Patrick Henry
- Oh, Fatal Ambition: 1777-1778 (1997) - Patrick Henry
- Blows Must Decide: 1774-1776 (1997) - Patrick Henry
1996
The Proprietor as
New York - Texans
1996
The First Wives Club as
Gil Griffin
1996
First Kid as
President Davenport
1996
Law & Order (TV Series) as
Barry Taggert
- Girlfriends (1996) - Barry Taggert
1995
Mixed Blessings (TV Movie) as
Brad Coleman
1995
Cagney & Lacey: Together Again (TV Movie) as
James Burton
1994
The Cosby Mysteries (TV Series) as
Det. Sully
- Dial 'H' for Murder (1995) - Det. Sully
- Goldilocks (1995) - Det. Sully
- The Medium Is the Message (1995) - Det. Sully
- Big Brother Is Watching (1995) - Det. Sully
- The Hit Parade (1995) - Det. Sully
- Baker's Dozen (1995) - Det. Sully
- Comic Book Murder (1995) - Det. Sully
- Last Tango (1995) - Det. Sully
- Camouflage (1994) - Det. Sully
- Mirror, Mirror (1994) - Det. Sully
- Expert Witness (1994) - Det. Sully
- The Fine Art of Murder (1994) - Det. Sully
- Home, Street Home (1994) - Det. Sully
- One Day at a Time (1994) - Det. Sully
- Only You (1994) - Det. Sully
- Self Defense (1994) - Det. Sully
- Our Lady of Cement (1994) - Det. Sully
- The Lottery Winner Murders (1994) - Det. Sully
1994
Cagney & Lacey: The Return (TV Movie) as
James Burton
1994
Couples (TV Movie) as
Steven
1994
The Birds II: Land's End (TV Movie) as
Frank
1994
The Cosby Mysteries (TV Movie) as
Adam Sully
1991
Brooklyn Bridge (TV Series) as
Lieutenant Monahan / Patrick Monahan
- In a Family Way (1993) - Patrick Monahan
- Rockette to the Moon (1992) - Lieutenant Monahan
- War of the Worlds (1991) - Lieutenant Monahan
1992
Designing Women (TV Series) as
Phillip Russell Stuart
- Screaming Passages (1992) - Phillip Russell Stuart
1988
Blown Away (TV Movie) as
Seale
1988
Raising Miranda (TV Series) as
Donald Marshak
- Russell's Broken Heart (1988) - Donald Marshak
- One Night Stand (1988) - Donald Marshak
- Marcine Shoplifts (1988) - Donald Marshak
- Home for the Holidays (1988) - Donald Marshak
- All Through the Night (1988) - Donald Marshak
- Miranda's Date (1988) - Donald Marshak
- Man in the Middle (1988) - Donald Marshak
- Grounded (1988) - Donald Marshak
- Black Monday (1988) - Donald Marshak
1988
The Good Mother as
Brian Dunlop
1988
Necessity (TV Movie) as
Rick LaSalle
1987
CBS Summer Playhouse (TV Series) as
John Dockery
- Travelin' Man (1987) - John Dockery
1987
The Glass Menagerie as
Jim O'Connor (the gentleman caller)
1986
Sin of Innocence (TV Movie) as
Andy Colleran
1985
Between the Darkness and the Dawn (TV Movie) as
Jack Parrish
1985
Who's the Boss? (TV Series) as
Michael Bower
- Custody: Part 2 (1985) - Michael Bower
- Custody: Part 1 (1985) - Michael Bower
- Angela's Ex: Part 2 (1985) - Michael Bower
- Angela's Ex: Part 1 (1985) - Michael Bower
1985
ABC Weekend Specials (TV Series) as
Captain Sawyer
- The Adventures of Con Sawyer and Hucklemary Finn (1985) - Captain Sawyer
1984
Last of the Great Survivors (TV Movie) as
Richard Wylie
1983
Trauma Center (TV Series) as
Dr. Michael 'Cutter' Royce
- Win or Lose (1983) - Dr. Michael 'Cutter' Royce
- Line of Fire (1983) - Dr. Michael 'Cutter' Royce
- Smash-Up (1983) - Dr. Michael 'Cutter' Royce
- Out of Control (1983) - Dr. Michael 'Cutter' Royce
- Silent Sounds (1983) - Dr. Michael 'Cutter' Royce
- Shock Waves (1983) - Dr. Michael 'Cutter' Royce
- Trail's End (1983) - Dr. Michael 'Cutter' Royce
- Turnaround (1983) - Dr. Michael 'Cutter' Royce
- No More Heroes (1983) - Dr. Michael 'Cutter' Royce
- Breakthrough (1983) - Dr. Michael 'Cutter' Royce
- No Easy Days (1983) - Dr. Michael 'Cutter' Royce
- Notes About Courage (1983) - Dr. Michael 'Cutter' Royce
- Trauma Center (Pilot) (1983) - Dr. Michael 'Cutter' Royce
1983
The Fall Guy (TV Series) as
Cutter
- Trauma (1983) - Cutter
1982
Making the Grade (TV Series) as
Harry Barnes
- Enter Miss Right (1982) - Harry Barnes
- Guess Who's Coming to Class? (1982) - Harry Barnes
- Shepherd's Pie Syndrome (1982) - Harry Barnes
- Teach Me Tonight (1982) - Harry Barnes
- Marriage, Dave Style (1982) - Harry Barnes
- Pilot (1982) - Harry Barnes
1982
Parole (TV Movie) as
Andy Driscoll
1982
My Body, My Child (TV Movie) as
Dr. Dan Berensen
1982
A Stranger Is Watching as
Steve Peterson
1981
The Bunker (TV Movie) as
James O'Donnell
1977
On Our Own (TV Series) as
Barry Spaulding
- Julia in the Dark (1977) - Barry Spaulding
1977
Ryan's Hope (TV Series) as
Dr. George Hoyle
- Episode #1.567 (1977) - Dr. George Hoyle (uncredited)
1976
Barnaby Jones (TV Series) as
Dr. Louis Manning
- Voice in the Night (1976) - Dr. Louis Manning
1976
Diary of the Dead as
George
1976
Joe Forrester (TV Series) - Fire Power (1976)
1975
The First 36 Hours of Dr. Durant (TV Movie) as
Dr. Baxter
1974
Planet of the Apes (TV Series) as
Pete Burke
- Up Above the World So High (1974) - Pete Burke
- The Liberator (1974) - Pete Burke
- The Cure (1974) - Pete Burke
- The Tyrant (1974) - Pete Burke
- The Interrogation (1974) - Pete Burke
- The Horse Race (1974) - Pete Burke
- The Deception (1974) - Pete Burke
- The Surgeon (1974) - Pete Burke
- Tomorrow's Tide (1974) - Pete Burke
- The Legacy (1974) - Pete Burke
- The Good Seeds (1974) - Pete Burke
- The Trap (1974) - Pete Burke
- The Gladiators (1974) - Pete Burke
- Escape from Tomorrow (1974) - Pete Burke
1974
Mannix (TV Series) as
Dr. Hanson
- A Fine Day for Dying (1974) - Dr. Hanson
1974
Great Performances (TV Series) as
Haemon
- Antigone (1974) - Haemon
1973
Faraday and Company (TV Series) as
Steve Faraday
- A Matter of Magic (1974) - Steve Faraday
- Fire and Ice (1973) - Steve Faraday
- A Wheelbarrow Full of Trouble (1973) - Steve Faraday
- Say Hello to a Dead Man (1973) - Steve Faraday
1974
F. Scott Fitzgerald and 'the Last of the Belles' (TV Movie) as
Cap. John Haines
1973
The Paper Chase as
Kevin Brooks
1972
Look Homeward, Angel (TV Movie) as
Ben Gant
Director
Soundtrack
2009
Damages (TV Series) (performer - 1 episode) - You Got Your Prom Date Pregnant (2009) - (performer: "Danny Boy" - uncredited)
1999
Ally McBeal (TV Series) (performer - 2 episodes) - Ally McBeal: The Musical, Almost (2000) - (performer: "Relax, Enjoy Yourself", "Lida Rose", "Real Emotional Girl" - uncredited)
- Troubled Water (1999) - (performer: "Lida Rose", "Dulcinea")
1990
The 44th Annual Tony Awards (TV Special) (performer: "You're Nothing Without Me")
1977
The 31st Annual Tony Awards (TV Special) (performer: "Married Couple Seeks Married Couple")
Thanks
2022
The Last Movie Stars (TV Series documentary) (special thanks - 4 episodes) - Chapter Four: Paying the Price (2022) - (special thanks)
- Chapter Three: The Legend of Paul Leonard Newman (2022) - (special thanks)
- Chapter Two: A Star Is Born (2022) - (special thanks)
- Chapter One: Cosmic Orphans (2022) - (special thanks)
Self
-
Broadway: The Next Generation (Documentary) (filming) as
Self
-
Presenting Geraldine Page (Documentary) (post-production) as
Self
2021
Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age (Documentary) as
Self
2020
Stars in the House (TV Series) as
Self
- CITY OF ANGELS Cast Reunion (2020) - Self
2000
Nature (TV Series documentary) as
Narrator
- Living Volcanoes (2019) - Narrator (voice)
- Violent Hawaii (2005) - Narrator
- Springs Eternal: Florida's Fountain of Youth (2000) - Narrator
2014
Live from Lincoln Center (TV Series) as
Self
- American Songbook - James Naughton: The Songs of Randy Newman (2014) - Self
2009
Building Alaska (TV Movie documentary) as
Narrator (voice)
1998
Crime Stories (TV Series documentary) as
Narrator / Self (Host / Narrator)
- The Yosemite Park Murderer (2008) - Narrator (voice)
- The Whistleblower (2004) - Narrator (voice)
- The Capture and Trial of Adolf Eichmann (1999) - Narrator (voice)
- The Scottsboro Boys (1998) - Self (Host / Narrator)
2007
Character Studies (TV Series) as
Self
- Living and Dying in 'Our Town' (2007) - Self
2006
Hacking Democracy (Documentary) as
Narrator (voice)
2006
The 60th Annual Tony Awards (TV Special) as
Self - Presenter
2003
Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There (Documentary) as
Self
2002
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial 20th Anniversary Special (TV Movie documentary) as
Narrator (voice)
2001
Jazz (TV Mini Series documentary) as
Narrator
- Our Language: 1924 -1929 (2001) - Narrator (voice)
- The Gift: 1917-1924 (2001) - (voice)
2000
A Chance to Grow (TV Movie documentary)(voice)
1997
The Rosie O'Donnell Show (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 25 March 1999 (1999) - Self
- Episode #1.215 (1997) - Self
1998
Greatest Trials of All Time (TV Movie documentary) as
Host / Narrator
1998
Behind the Planet of the Apes (TV Movie documentary) as
Self
1998
The 52nd Annual Tony Awards (TV Special) as
Self - Presenter
1998
Working in the Theatre (TV Series documentary) as
Self
- Production: Ragtime (1998) - Self
1998
Greatest Trials of All Time: The Court-Martial of Lt. Calley (TV Series documentary) as
Self - Host
1997
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (TV Special) as
Self
1997
The 51st Annual Tony Awards (TV Special) as
Self - Winner
1997
The 42nd Annual Drama Desk Awards (TV Special) as
Self - Presenter
1997
The 53rd Presidential Inaugural Gala: An American Journey (TV Special) as
Self - Cast of 'Chicago'
1997
Charlie Rose (TV Series) as
Self - Guest
- Episode dated 9 January 1997 (1997) - Self - Guest
1996
Without Memory (TV Movie documentary) as
Narrator (English version, voice)
1996
The 50th Annual Tony Awards (TV Special) as
Self - Prsenter
1993
Great Performances (TV Series) as
Self - Performer
- Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall (1993) - Self - Performer (uncredited)
1991
Memorial: Letters from American Soldiers (Documentary short)(voice)
1991
The 45th Annual Tony Awards (TV Special) as
Self - Presenter
1990
The 44th Annual Tony Awards (TV Special) as
Self - Winner & Performer
1986
American Masters (TV Series documentary) as
Self
- Broadway's Dreamers: The Legacy of the Group Theatre (1989) - Self
- Eugene O'Neill: A Glory of Ghosts (1986)
1989
De película (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 24 April 1989 (1989) - Self (uncredited)
1983
The Love Boat Fall Preview Special (TV Special) as
Self
1977
The 31st Annual Tony Awards (TV Special) as
Self - Performer
1973
Tennessee Williams' South (TV Movie documentary) as
Tom Wingfield
Archive Footage
2016
For the Love of Spock (Documentary) as
Brian Dunlop (uncredited)
1980
Back to the Planet of the Apes (TV Movie) as
Pete Burke
1980
Farewell to the Planet of the Apes (TV Movie) as
Pete Burke
1980
Forgotten City of the Planet of the Apes (TV Movie) as
Pete Burke
1980
Life, Liberty and Pursuit on the Planet of the Apes (TV Movie) as
Pete Burke
1980
Treachery and Greed on the Planet of the Apes (TV Movie) as
Pete Burke