James Todd SpaderΒ (/ΛspeΙͺdΙr/Β SPAY-dΙr; born February 7, 1960) is an American actor. He is known for often portraying eccentric and morally ambiguous characters. He began his career in critically acclaimed independent films before transitioning into television, where he has received acclaim and many awards, including threeΒ Primetime Emmy AwardsΒ and nominations for threeΒ Golden Globe Awards, and tenΒ Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Spader began acting in youth-oriented films such asΒ Tuff Turf,Β The New KidsΒ (both 1985),Β Pretty in PinkΒ (1986), andΒ MannequinΒ (1987). His breakthrough role came with theΒ Steven SoderberghΒ dramaΒ Sex, Lies, and VideotapeΒ (1989), for which he received theΒ Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor. He then starred in films such asΒ White PalaceΒ (1990),Β True ColorsΒ (1991),Β StargateΒ (1994),Β 2 Days in the ValleyΒ (1996), andΒ SecretaryΒ (2002). Spader took supporting roles inΒ Bob RobertsΒ (1992),Β WolfΒ (1994),Β LincolnΒ (2012), andΒ The HomesmanΒ (2014). He also played the role ofΒ UltronΒ in theΒ Marvel Cinematic UniverseΒ filmΒ Avengers: Age of UltronΒ (2015).
His television roles include the attorneyΒ Alan ShoreΒ in the last season ofΒ The Practice (2003β2004) and its spin-offΒ Boston LegalΒ (2004β2008), which earned him threeΒ Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. He portrayedΒ Robert CaliforniaΒ in the sitcomΒ The OfficeΒ (2011β2012). He then starred asΒ Raymond ReddingtonΒ in theΒ NBCΒ crime thriller seriesΒ The BlacklistΒ (2013β2023), for which he received two Golden Globe Award nominations forΒ Best Actor β Television Series Drama.
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