Highest rated as cast or director
Biography
James Oliver Cromwell (born January 27, 1940) is an American film and television actor. He is best known for his role as Dr. Zefram Cochrane in “Star Trek: First Contact,” as well as his roles in “Babe,” “L.A. Confidential,” and “Spider-Man 3.” He has been nominated for an Oscar, three Emmy Awards, and four Screen Actors Guild Awards during his career. Cromwell was born in Los Angeles, California and was raised in Manhattan, New York. He was adopted by actress Kay Johnson and actor, director and producer John Cromwell, who was blacklisted during the McCarthy era. He was educated at The Hill School, Middlebury College and Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University), where he studied engineering. Like both his parents, he was drawn to the theater, doing everything from Shakespeare to experimental plays. He has long been an advocate of leftist causes. In an October 2008 interview, he strongly attacked the Republican Party and the George W. Bush administration, saying their controversial foreign policy would "either destroy us or the entire planet." He became a vegetarian in 1974 after seeing a stockyard in Texas and experiencing the "smell, terror and anxiety." He became an ethical vegan while playing the character of Farmer Hoggett in the movie Babe in 1995. He frequently speaks out on issues regarding animal cruelty for PETA, largely the treatment of pigs. Cromwell was married to Anne Ulvestad from 1976 to 1986. They had three children. He married his second wife, Julie Cobb, on May 29, 1986.
Acted in 167
2020s
- 2025
- 2024
- 2023
- 2022
- 2021
- 2020
Operation Buffalo
Cranky · 6 episodes
2010s
- 2019
The Immortal
Grandfather
Countdown to Year Zero
Movie
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2014
Star Trek: Enterprise - In a Mirror, Darkly
Zefram Cochrane (archive footage)
Night Vet
Dr. Abel Evergood
- 2013
- 2012
- 2011
Admissions
The Clerk
- 2010
Sotto il cielo di Roma
Pope Pius XII · 2 episodes
Pope Pius XII
Pope Pius XII
2000s
- 2009
Beyond All Boundaries
Major General Alexander A. Vandegrift / Fleet Admiral William Halsey
A Lonely Place for Dying
Howard Simons
- 2008
My Own Worst Enemy
Alistair Trumbull · 6 episodes
- 2007
- 2006
Avenger
Paul Devereaux
- 2005
Pope John Paul II
Cardinal Adam Sapieha · 2 episodes
- 2004
- 2003
A Carol Christmas
Ghost of Christmas Future (uncredited)
- 2002
RFK
President Lyndon Baines Johnson
Project Viper
MP 1
A Death in the Family
Joel Lynch
The Magnificent Ambersons
Major Amberson
- 2001
Citizen Baines
Elliott Baines · 9 episodes
- 2000
Fail Safe
Gordon Knapp
1990s
- 1999
Snow Falling on Cedars
Judge Fielding
A Slight Case of Murder
John Edgarson
- 1998
- 1997
The Education of Little Tree
Nonno
- 1996
- 1995
The Client
Officer Joe Denton · 1 episode
Partners
TV
- 1994
The Shaggy Dog
Charlie Mulvihill
Revenge of the Nerds IV: Nerds in Love
Mr. Skolnick
- 1993
- 1992
Revenge of the Nerds III: The Next Generation
Mr. Skolnick
- 1991
- 1990
American Dreamer
TV
1980s
- 1989
Christine Cromwell
TV
The Runnin' Kind
Uncle Phil
- 1988
China Beach: Pilot
Ambassador at Large Roland Weymouth
- 1987
- 1986
Easy Street
TV
The Last Precinct
Chief Bludhorn
- 1985
Wildside
TV
- 1984
Oh, God! You Devil
Priest
Spraggue
Lt. George Hurley
Tank
Deputy Euclid
The House of God
Officer Quick
- 1983
Buffalo Bill
Staunton McMoller · 1 episode
- 1982
The Rainmaker
Noah Curry
Barefoot In the Park
Harry Pepper
The Wall
Francisek
- 1981
Nobody's Perfekt
Dr. Carson
Foul Play
Bebet · 1 episode
- 1980
Flo
TV
1970s
- 1978
Diff'rent Strokes
TV
Peeping Times
Bernard Mantee
- 1977
Deadly Game
Deputy Malcolm Rossiter Jr.
The Girl in the Empty Grave
Deputy Malcolm Rossiter Jr.
- 1976
Once an Eagle
J.L. Cleghorne · 7 episodes
The Nancy Walker Show
Glen · 12 episodes
All's Fair
TV
- 1975
Barbary Coast
Roy · 1 episode
Hot l Baltimore
TV
- 1974
- 1973
- 1972
- 1971
No release date
Get Lost
Frederick (Red King)
Produced 3
2020s
- 2021
Mondo Hollywoodland
Executive Producer
2010s
- 2018
- 2015
Imminent Threat
Executive Producer
Appearances19
2020s
- 2026
Living with a Visionary
Narrator (voice)
2010s
- 2016
50 Years of Star Trek
Self
The Perfect Crime: Leopold & Loeb
Self - Narrator (voice)
- 2014
Walking the Mile
Self
- 2012
A Night at the Movies: Hollywood Goes to Washington
Self - Interviewee
La Classe américaine
Self
The Artist: The Making of an American Romance
Self
Hollywood as Character: The Locations of The Artist
Himself
- 2011
Farm to Fridge
Narrator
2000s
- 2009
Starz Inside - Unforgettably Evil
Self
- 2008
Whatever You Desire: Making 'L.A. Confidential'
Self
- 2007
Looking For Else
Self
- 2006
The Maltese Falcon: One Magnificent Bird
Self
- 2005
Shadows in the Dark: The Val Lewton Legacy
Narrator
- 2004
Happy Birthday Oscar Wilde
Self
- 2003
The John Garfield Story
Self
