James Drury
Known for Acting · 74 credits
- Born
- 1934-04-18
- Died
- 2020-04-06
- Place of birth
- New York City, New York, USA
- Also known as
- James Child Drury Jr.
Biography
James Child Drury Jr. (April 18, 1934 – April 6, 2020) was an American actor. He is best known for having played the title role in the 90-minute weekly Western television series The Virginian, which was broadcast on NBC from 1962 to 1971.
Drury was born in New York City, the son of James Child Drury and Beatrice Crawford Drury. His father was a New York University professor of marketing. He grew up between New York City and Salem, Oregon, where his mother owned a farm. Drury contracted polio at the age of 10.
He studied drama at New York University and took additional classes at UCLA to complete his degree after he began acting in films at MGM.
On February 7, 1957, Drury married Cristall Othones, and fathered two sons, Timothy and James III. The couple divorced on November 23, 1964 and on April 27, 1968, he married Phyllis Jacqueline Mitchell; the marriage ended in divorce on January 30, 1979. His third marriage was to Carl Ann Head on July 30, 1979; it lasted until her death on August 25, 2019. Drury had three stepchildren from his previous marriages, a stepdaughter, Rhonda Brown, and two stepsons, Frederick Drury and Gary Schero. Drury died from natural causes on April 6, 2020.
Known For
TV Shows (42)
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1962
as Self
Perry Mason
1957
as Eddy King
The Mike Douglas Show
1961
as Self
Ironside
1967
as Al
Wagon Train
1957
as Justin Claiborne / Cole Crawford
The Rifleman
1958
as Lloyd Carpenter / Spicer
The Merv Griffin Show
1962
as Self
Lawman
1958
as Clay / Stan Bates
The Virginian
1962
as The "Virginian"
Have Gun, Will Travel
1957
as Tony DeVries
Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre
1956
as Jess McHugh / Roy Richards
Rawhide
1959
as Kenley / Johnny Adler / Rance
Cheyenne
1955
as Bill Magruder
The Red Skelton Show
1951
as Self - Auctioneer
Walker, Texas Ranger
1993
as Captain Tom Price
Gunsmoke
1955
as Booth Rider / Jerry Cass / Johnny Red / Tom
Kung Fu: The Legend Continues
1993
as Deacon / Doctor
The Bob Hope Show
1950
as Self
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
1955
as Michael Grimes
The Rebel
1959
as Bert Pace / Paul Travers
Alias Smith and Jones
1971
as Sheriff Lom Trevors / Sheriff Tankersley
The 20th Century Fox Hour
1955
as Anton Cavrek
The Texan
1958
as Johnny Kaler
Richard Diamond, Private Detective
1957
as Arthur Harding
The Detectives
1959
as Adrian
Trackdown
1957
as John Ward
It Takes a Thief
1968
as Mr. Clifton
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
1968
as The Virginian (uncredited)
The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.
1993
as Ethan Emerson
Black Saddle
1959
as Neal Adams
Lock-Up
1959
as Frank Crotty
Bronco
1958
as John Smith
Stagecoach West
1960
as 'Stace'
Broken Arrow
1956
as Tahzay
The Wonderful World of Disney
1954
as Deputy Joe Monroe / George Dodds / Jim Weaver
Bourbon Street Beat
1959
Letter to Loretta
1953
as Tony / Bob Prentiss
Steve Canyon
1958
as Lt. Richard Muller
Cameo Theatre
1950
as George
The Ed Wynn Show
1958
Firehouse
1974
as Captain Spike Ryerson
Titanic: Secrets of the Shipwreck
2025
as Self (archive footage)
Movies (32)
Maverick
1994
as Riverboat Poker Player (uncredited)
Forbidden Planet
1956
as Crewman Strong
Blackboard Jungle
1955
as Hospital Attendant (uncredited)
Ride the High Country
1962
as Billy Hammond
Diane
1956
as Lieutenant (uncredited)
Pollyanna
1960
as George Dodds
Love Me Tender
1956
as Ray Reno
The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw
1991
as Jim
The Last Wagon
1956
as Lt. Kelly
When the West Was Fun: A Western Reunion
1979
as Self
Hell to Pay
2005
as JT Coffee
The Tender Trap
1955
as Eddie
The Meanest Men in the West
1978
as The Range Boss (The Virginian)
The Bull of the West
1972
as Man from Virginia
Good Day for a Hanging
1959
as Paul Ridgely
Backtrack!
1969
as Ramrod (archive footage)
Walker, Texas Ranger: One Riot, One Ranger
1993
as Captain Tom Price
Ten Who Dared
1960
as Walter Powell
Toby Tyler or Ten Weeks with a Circus
1960
as Jim Weaver
The Virginian
2000
as Rider
Third of a Man
1962
as Emmet
Bernardine
1957
as Langley Philip Beaymont
Bitter Heritage
1958
as Jesse James, Jr.
Breakout
1970
as Joe Baker
The Young Warriors
1967
as Sergeant Cooley
The Devil and Miss Sarah
1971
as Gil Turner
The Brazen Bell
1964
as The Virginian
The Devil's Children
1962
as The Virginian
The Final Hour
1965
as The Virginian
Rapids Ahead/Bear Country
1960
The Cartoon Cowboys: Spirit of the Alamo
2015
as Buffalo Bill Cody (voice)/"The Mysterious Traveler" (voice)
Return to the Titanic
1981
as Self - Host
About James Drury
James Child Drury Jr. (April 18, 1934 – April 6, 2020) was an American actor. He is best known for having played the title role in the 90-minute weekly Western television series The Virginian, which was broadcast on NBC from 1962 to 1971. Drury was born in New York City, the son of James Child Drury and Beatrice Crawford Drury. His father was a New York University professor of marketing. He grew up between New York City and Salem, Oregon, where his mother owned a farm. Drury contracted polio at the age of 10. He studied drama at New York Unive… With 74 credits spanning from 1950 to 2025, James Drury has appeared in 32 films and 42 TV shows.
Fans searching for James Drury movies, James Drury filmography, or the latest projects starring James Drury can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular James Drury Movies
- Maverick (1994) — as Riverboat Poker Player (uncredited)
- Forbidden Planet (1956) — as Crewman Strong
- Blackboard Jungle (1955) — as Hospital Attendant (uncredited)
- Ride the High Country (1962) — as Billy Hammond
- Diane (1956) — as Lieutenant (uncredited)
Where to Watch James Drury Films
Most James Drury 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 Drury, check our movies catalogue and browse page.