Steve James

Steve James (February 19, 1952 – December 18, 1993) was an American actor. He starred mostly in low-budget action films such as the American Ninja series, The Delta Force (1986), The Exterminator (1980), and Enter the Game of Death (1978). James also portrayed Kung Fu Joe in the 1988 film comedy/spoof I'm Gonna Git You Sucka, and its 1990 television pilot spinoff Hammer, Slammer, & Slade. James was born and raised in New York City. His uncle was ... more

Steve James (February 19, 1952 – December 18, 1993) was an American actor. He starred mostly in low-budget action films such as the American Ninja series, The Delta Force (1986), The Exterminator (1980), and Enter the Game of Death (1978). James also portrayed Kung Fu Joe in the 1988 film comedy/spoof I'm Gonna Git You Sucka, and its 1990 television pilot spinoff Hammer, Slammer, & Slade. James was born and raised in New York City. His uncle was James Wall, who played Mr. Baxter on the children's television series Captain Kangaroo. He attended C.W. Post College as an Arts and Film major. Upon graduating, he became involved in stage work and TV commercials. James started his film career off as a stuntman for such New York based film productions as The Wiz, The Warriors, and The Wanderers. James was also close friends with actor Michael Dudikoff (the two met while shooting American Ninja) and director William Friedkin, who described him as "One of the most nicest, toughest and... less