A dynamic and versatile character actor with a distinctive voice and a powerful emotional facility, James Patrick Nelson has been part of numerous award-winning films, which have screened across the country and been highly praised on the festival circuit.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, he trained at the Boston University School of Theatre and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. He began his New York City theatre career in Off-Broadway productions of Chekhov and Shakespeare, opposite Maggie Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard, Ethan Hawke, Joely Richardson, Bebe Neuwirth, Christina Ricci, Austin Pendleton, and others.

He won a Helen Hayes Award for "Sense and Sensibility" at the Folger Theatre, later reprised at the American Repertory Theatre. He recently starred in the world premiere of "Immortal Longings," the final play by Tony-winner Terrence McNally. And he is currently appearing in the first regional transfer of the Broadway production of "Slave Play" at the Mark Taper Forum.

As an actor-screenwriter, James recent work has focused on LGBTQ+ protagonists and communities. His original pilot "For Years to Come," starring Richard Riehle, wrapped production in January 2022, and he is developing several queer-centric feature films.

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James Patrick Nelson

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