- James's father, Robert Wolk, owns a ladies' shoe store and James grew up selling women's footwear. As a result, the first thing James notices about a woman is her shoes.
- James' parents are both of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry (his family emigrated from Poland, Russia, Latvia, and Lithuania). He was raised in Reform Judaism and had a Bar Mitzvah ceremony.
- When James was a child, his father was a fan of Frank Sinatra songs and he entertained his parents by singing and dancing to them.
- Favorite film is Back to the Future (1985).
- Considered studying medicine or law prior to becoming a theatre major at the University of Michigan.
- As a student at the University of Michigan and a struggling actor in New York, James worked as an event d.j., performing at parties, weddings and bar mitzvahs.
- Graduated from North Farmington High School in 2003. Other graduates include Pam Dawber and Elizabeth Berkley.
- James is on the Board of Directors of the Brad Cohen Tourette Foundation.
- Favorite actors are Michael J. Fox and Tom Hanks.
- Graduated in 2007 from the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and Dance. Other graduates include James Earl Jones, Arthur Miller, Christine Lahti, Gilda Radner and David Paymer.
- Has an older sister named Katie Ray.
- Loves the 1950s.
- Mother, Edie Wolk, is an art teacher.
- Got the script for Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) - Front of the Class (2008) the night before his audition.
- As a student at the University of Michigan's School of Music, Theatre & Dance, James acted in a number of theatrical productions including "The Laramie Project", "You Can't Take It With You", "Arthur Miller Celebration" and the provocative drama, "In Arabia We'd All Be Kings". "The Laramie Project" dealt with the murder of university student Matthew Shepard and the production was picketed by the anti-gay activist, Fred Phelps.
- Has a dog named Flea.
- His last name means 'cloud' in Dutch.
- Shares his birth name, James Wolk, with a noted set designer who works on the New York stage.
- James is a member of an elite group of entertainers and filmmakers who hail from Michigan including Roger Corman, Wally Cox, Francis Ford Coppola, Michael Moore, Sam Raimi, John Hughes , Madonna, Alice Cooper, Iggy Pop,Diana Ross, Jerry Bruckheimer, Karmyn Jones, Ellen Burstyn, Selma Blair, Sonny Bono, Christie Brinkley, Robert Wagner, Kim Hunter, Julie Harris, George Peppard, Della Reese, Sandra Bernhard, Tom Selleck, Lily Tomlin, Elaine Stritch, and a host of others.
- Often compared in voice and acting style to Kyle Chandler.
- Is a fan of old Robert De Niro movies.
- Appeared on two television shows centering on advertising agencies: Mad Men and The Crazy Ones.
- Was a cast member of two shows about advertising agencies: Mad Men and The Crazy Ones.
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