Nicholas James (actor)
Nicholas James | |
---|---|
Born |
Nicholas James Muscarella Greenville, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
Residence | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
Nationality | American |
Alma mater | Penn State Behrend College |
Occupation |
|
Years active | 2006–present |
Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80m) |
Partner(s) | Tika Sumpter (e. January 2017) |
Children | 1 |
Nicholas James (born Nicholas James Muscarella and additionally variously credited as Nick James or Nicholas J. Muscarella) is an American actor. James is known for his recurring role (beginning in 2016) as Officer Justin Lewis in the Tyler Perry-created OWN series The Haves and the Have Nots (Season 3 – Season 5, in 63 episodes as of July 2018) as well as for appearances in Prom Night (2008) and NCIS: New Orleans (2014). His earliest credited film appearance was in Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds in 2006.[1]
Additionally, James has appeared in television commercials for Grupo Modelo and Walmart.[2] Outside of acting, James has also worked as a model.[3] His net worth is quoted as being $1.3 million.[4]
Early career
Nicholas James's initial interest in performing was directed at comedic rather than dramatic roles, particularly sketch comedy in the style of Saturday Night Live.[5] In Los Angeles, he studied acting under the tutelage of various renowned figures, including legendary acting coach Vincent Chase (for whom the eponymous fictional character on the TV series Entourage was named).[6][7] Actor Shia LaBeouf was among his classmates.[8] Later, he attended classes at Upright Citizen's Brigade, thus returning to his earlier interest in improvisational and sketch comedy.[9]
James dropped his surname to form his stage name because, in his own words, “I don’t look too Italian and people trip over that name all the time.”[10] His original surname Muscarella has however appeared as part of one of three variations of his name in film and television credits.
Nature of portrayed characters
James's Haves and Have Nots character Officer Justin Lewis has been described as being in a "toxic and codependent" relationship with his series love interest Jeffrey Harrington, according to Gavin Houston, who plays that character.[11] As a heterosexual actor portraying a homosexual character (also the case in his debut film Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds),[12] James falls within an area of concern known as "gay-for-pay," which asserts that LGBT characters should preferably be portrayed by actors of similar sexual orientation.
Personal life
Nicholas James is originally from Greenville, Pennsylvania, the son of Gregory and Vicki Muscarella; he has an older brother named Michael. He attended Reynolds Junior – Senior High School, and later Penn State Behrend College, studying management and marketing before leaving for Hollywood, where he arrived with just $200 and did bottle service at a bar while pursuing acting.[13] He currently resides in Los Angeles.
James is vocal on political issues via Twitter; as well, he maintains an Instagram account. His interests include the extreme sports skydiving and surfing as well as standup paddleboarding, snorkelling, hiking, animals and exotic teas.[14][15][16]
Since 2016, James has been in a relationship with his Haves and the Have Nots co-star Tika Sumpter. He is reported to be two years her junior, making him 36 in 2018.[17] James's paternity was kept secret by Sumpter amid press speculation while she was pregnant with their child.[18] Their daughter, Ella-Loren, was born October 8, 2016.[19][20]
Filmography
Film
(credited as Nicholas James, except where indicated)
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2006 | Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds | Surfer Guy | |
2008 | Prom NIght | Denny Harper | as Nick James |
2009 | Fired Up! | Chester | |
2011 | Snack Off | Donny | Short film |
2011 | Chinese Takeout | Buck Crow | Short film, as Nick James |
2012 | Genre This | Joe Spudds | Short film |
2017 | Self Esteem | Torb Burchley | Short film |
2017 | Chaser | Shane | Short film |
Television
(credited as Nicholas James, except where indicated)
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2010 | The Client List | Television film | |
2011 | NCIS | Navy Seaman Derek Balfour | TV series, "Two-Faced" (season 8, episode 20) |
2011 | Napoleon Bon Appétit | Tex | TV series, "Barbeque Spare Ribs" (season 2, episode 5) |
2012 | Jane by Design | Adam 2 | TV series, "The Wedding Gown" (season 1, episode 8) |
2012 | Hollywood Heights | Guest Star | TV series, "The Incriminating Photo" (season 1, episode 12) |
2013 | The Client List | Hot wedding guest | TV series, "When I Say Do" (season 2, episode 12) |
2014 | Revenge | Mark Keller | TV series, "Renaissance" (season 4, episode 1) |
2014 | NCIS: New Orleans | Navy Lieutenant Lewis Collier | TV series, "Carrier" (season 1, episode 2) |
2016–present | The Haves and the Have Nots | Officer Justin Lewis | Series regular, as Nicholas James or Nicholas J. Muscarella |
References
- ↑ IMDb: Nicholas J. Muscarella
- ↑ iSpot.tv, "Nicholas James TV Commercials"
- ↑ Atlanta Daily, "Meet the father of Tika Sumpter’s unborn child," Terry Shropshire (undated)
- ↑ Net Worth Post, "Nicholas James Net Worth," Tom Ford, June 8, 2018 (most recent modification)
- ↑ Oprah.com, "Cast: Nicholas James" (author uncredited)
- ↑ Sharon Herald, "Big Screen Arrival," Courtney Anderson, May 14, 2008
- ↑ Oprah.com, "Cast; Nicholas James" (author uncredited)
- ↑ Sharon Herald, "Big Screen Arrival," Courtney Anderson, May 14, 2008
- ↑ Oprah.com, "Cast: Nicholas James" (author uncredited)
- ↑ Sharon Herald, "Big Screen Arrival," Courtney Anderson, May 14, 2008
- ↑ Seat 42F, “Exclusive: The Haves and Have Nots: Shining the Spotlight On Gavin Houston,” Tiffany Vogt, June 26, 2018
- ↑ The M Report, "The Sexiest Stars of 2017 (14: Nicholas James Muscarella)", Marlon Wallace, January 2, 2018
- ↑ Sharon Herald, "Big Screen Arrival," Courtney Anderson, May 14, 2008
- ↑ Atlanta Daily, "Meet the father of Tika Sumpter’s unborn child," Terry Shropshire September 14, 2016
- ↑ Essence, "Everything We Know About Tika Sumpter's Fiancé, Nick James," Danielle Kwarteng-Clark, June 21, 2017
- ↑ Oprah.com, "Cast: Nicholas James" (author uncredited)
- ↑ Yallknowwhat.com, "Breakin’ Baby News! Actress Tika Sumpter’s Child’s Father Is Closer Than We Think (...)," September 24, 2016
- ↑ Frostsnow.com, "Actress Tika Sumpter Engaged to Nicholas James (...)," Ashmita Karki, February 28, 2017.
- ↑ Eurweb, "Tika Sumpter Offers First Glimpse of Newborn Daughter Ella-Loren," (author uncredited) November 16, 2016
- ↑ Blasting News, "'The Haves and the Have Nots' star Tika Sumpter announces engagement," Margaret Minnicks, January 25, 2017