James Luisi
Known for Acting · 79 credits
- Born
- 1928-11-11
- Died
- 2002-06-07
- Place of birth
- New York City, New York, USA
Biography
A native New Yorker, James Luisi attended St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights on a basketball scholarship. He served in the Army during the Korean War. He then played one season (1953-54) with the Baltimore Bullets in the National Basketball Association. His acting career began on the stage with early parts coming in the Broadway musicals "Sweet Charity" and "Zorba". His early movies were minor, though his "beefcake" appeal was evident in 1973's I Escaped from Devil's Island (1973) in which he rarely wore a shirt. Most of his later work was on TV. In 1976 he shared a "best actor" daytime Emmy for playing George Washington in a daytime drama special titled First Ladies Diaries: Martha Washington (1975). Also in 1976 he started his four-season role as Jim Rockford's (James Garner) nemesis Lt. Chapman in The Rockford Files (1974). In 1983 he played the cop in charge of some street-gang-members-turned-undercover-agents in the short-lived series The Renegades (1983), which provided a boost for Patrick Swayze, who played one of the gang members. Along with guest spots on numerous TV shows, Luisi also appeared in the soap operas Days of Our Lives (1965) and Another World (1964).
In the 1990s he returned to acting in and directing stage work in the Los Angeles area. Stricken with cancer he passed away on 7 June 2002 and is survived by his wife of 41 years, the former Georgia Phillips.
Known For
TV Shows (49)
The Rifleman
1958
The A-Team
1983
as Jimmy Durkee
Knots Landing
1979
as Lieutenant Gilbert Garcia
Ironside
1967
as Mike Purcell
Magnum, P.I.
1980
as John Walter Costa
Adam-12
1968
as Antonio Minetti
L.A. Law
1986
as Paul Viola
Knight Rider
1982
as D.G. Grebs
Quincy, M.E.
1976
The Rockford Files
1974
as Doug Chapman / Burt Stryker
T. J. Hooker
1982
as George Laszlo / Vincent Hazzard
The F.B.I.
1965
as Sam Kehoe / Little Julio
Naked City
1958
as Mark Andrew
Hart to Hart
1979
Cannon
1971
Starsky & Hutch
1975
Fantasy Island
1978
as Arbogast
Barnaby Jones
1973
as Nick Gorman / Burt Logan
The Rookies
1972
The Fall Guy
1981
Gunsmoke
1955
as Ivers
Kojak
1973
as Det. Geno Alessi / Capt. Henry 'Hank' Rosseau
Silk Stalkings
1991
CHiPs
1977
The Streets of San Francisco
1972
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
1979
as Hood
Matt Houston
1982
Vega$
1978
Baywatch Nights
1995
as Murray
The Hogan Family
1986
Wonder Woman
1975
as George
Police Story
1973
Ghost Story
1972
as Rick
Dark Justice
1991
Finder of Lost Loves
1984
as Jordan Hollis
S.W.A.T.
1975
Hawkins
1973
as Andy Tyler
Hunter
1977
Another World
1964
City of Angels
1976
Partners in Crime
1984
Here's Boomer
1981
Good Heavens
1976
Sword of Justice
1978
The Eddie Capra Mysteries
1978
Hell Town
1985
Spencer's Pilots
1976
The Renegades
1983
as Lt. Marciano
Harris and Company
1979
Movies (30)
The Hidden
1987
as Ferrari Salesman
Norma Rae
1979
as George Benson
Star 80
1983
as Roy
Murphy's Law
1986
as Ed Reineke
Ben
1972
as Ed
Stunts
1977
as Alvin Blake
Feds!
1988
as Sperry
Lethal Woman
1989
as Colonel Jerry Maxim
A Love Affair: The Eleanor and Lou Gehrig Story
1978
as Lazzeri
Fade to Black
1980
as Capt. M.L. Gallagher
Future Cop
1976
as Paterno
Honky Tonk
1974
as Blackie
The Rockford Files: Friends and Foul Play
1996
as Capt. Doug Chapman
Cry Rape
1973
as Det. Kroger
Sunset Limousine
1983
as Angel
I Escaped from Devil's Island
1973
as Dazzas
Our Family Business
1981
as Frank
The Renegades
1982
as Lt. Joe Marciano
Love Is Not Enough
1978
as Harry Foreman
One in a Million: The Ron LeFlore Story
1978
as Jimmy Karalla
The Take
1974
as Benedetto
Moment by Moment
1978
as Dan Santini
Killer's Delight
1978
as Sgt. Vince De Carlo
Contract on Cherry Street
1977
as Al Palmini / Arnold Palmer
The Man from Independence
1974
as Stranger
First Ladies Diaries: Martha Washington
1975
as George Washington
The Rockford Files: If the Frame Fits...
1996
as Capt. Doug Chapman
Cat Ballou
1971
as Spider Levinsky
The Red-Light Sting
1984
as Renny Lucas
The Asphalt Cowboy
1980
as Lt. Lassiter
About James Luisi
A native New Yorker, James Luisi attended St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights on a basketball scholarship. He served in the Army during the Korean War. He then played one season (1953-54) with the Baltimore Bullets in the National Basketball Association. His acting career began on the stage with early parts coming in the Broadway musicals "Sweet Charity" and "Zorba". His early movies were minor, though his "beefcake" appeal was evident in 1973's I Escaped from Devil's Island (1973) in which he rarely wore a shirt. Most of his later work wa… With 79 credits spanning from 1955 to 1996, James Luisi has appeared in 30 films and 49 TV shows.
Fans searching for James Luisi movies, James Luisi filmography, or the latest projects starring James Luisi can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular James Luisi Movies
- The Hidden (1987) — as Ferrari Salesman
- Norma Rae (1979) — as George Benson
- Star 80 (1983) — as Roy
- Murphy's Law (1986) — as Ed Reineke
- Ben (1972) — as Ed
Where to Watch James Luisi Films
Most James Luisi movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring James Luisi, check our movies catalogue and browse page.