In 1988 he appeared in two continuations of popular (and legendary) World War II films originally from the 1960's: The Great Escape II: The Untold Story and The Dirty Dozen: The Fatal Mission.
Met future wife Penny Peyser while working on Rich Man Poor Man - Book II. In that movie, their characters have a passionate, secretive affair. James and Penny were divorced in 1984.
Has a son with ex-wife Penny Peyser and two children with wife Jan Hartley.