James A. Fitzpatrick (born August 28, 1959) is an American actor, producer, screenwriter, director, and former football player. He has appeared in over 65 feature films and television series. He also is the founder and president of Five Star Studios (established in 1992) and PacAtlantic Pictures, LLC (established in 2005).
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Early life
Fitzpatrick is from Seminole, Florida. He began acting at age 13 when he appeared in his first school play, A Thousand Clowns, at Seminole High School in Florida. He accepted a football scholarship to Illinois State University, where he was a theater major. While living in Illinois, he became involved with the Steppenwolf Theatre Company, founded by Gary Sinise and John Malkovich.
Professional football career
After going undrafted in the 1981 NFL draft, Fitzpatrick signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL). However, he was released on June 28, 1981, before the start of the 1981 CFL season. He signed with the Baltimore Colts of the National Football League on July 1, 1982. Fitzpatrick left the team on August 22, 1982. He then played for the Tampa Bay Bandits of the United States Football League from 1983 to 1985.
Acting career
Before moving to Los Angeles, he landed supporting roles in the feature films Cocoon and D.A.R.Y.L. His first television acting credit was on Miami Vice.
Filmography
1979 Glory Days as Steve Street
1985 Walking the Edge as Fat Man's Bodyguard
1985 D.A.R.Y.L. as T.A.S.C.O.M. Security Guard
1985 Cocoon as Dock Worker
1986 Miami Vice as Teddy Lake
1986 Santa Barbara as Raz
1986 Band of the Hand as Young Street Thug
1986 When the Bough Breaks as Reporter #3
1987 Shelter in the Storm as River
1987 The Last Fling as Bud
1987 Designing Women as Garret Jackson
1985–1987 Days of Our Lives (4 episodes) Dr. Robinson
1986–1988 The New Gidget (5 episodes) as Tom Wilson
1989 Tour of Duty as Captain Pescow
1989 Guts and Glory: The Rise and Fall of Oliver North as Sergeant Major Collins
1990 Ski Patrol as Young Father
1990 Sporting Chance as Davis
1991 Anything but Love as Detective
1992 Stand by Your Man as Kyle
1993 South of Sunset as Tony DiNato