With his sharp intellect, machine-gun delivery, and intense screen presence, James Woods has been recognized as one of the most compelling actors in modern cinema history. Over a career spanning six decades, the two-time Academy Award nominee and multi-Emmy winner has built an unforgettable legacy portraying complex antiheroes, sharp-witted villains, and real-life historical figures.
Published exclusively for Tushstories.com, here is the ultimate, up-to-date look into the life, career, net worth, complex relationships, family history, controversies, and modern life of James Woods.
Biography
Born James Howard Woods on April 18, 1947, in Vernal, Utah, he was raised by his parents, Martha A. and Gail Peyton Woods. His father, an army intelligence officer, passed away when Woods was a teenager. Raised in Rhode Island, Woods excelled academically and was accepted to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he pursued a degree in political science.
However, his passion for performance led him to drop out of MIT in 1969 just before graduation to pursue acting full-time in New York City. He quickly made his mark on and off-Broadway, winning a Theatre World Award for his role in Moonchildren (1972) before transitioning to film and television.
James Woods Age
Born in April 1947, James Woods is 79 years old. Having spent decades commanding Hollywood soundstages, he continues to share thoughts on cinema, voice acting history, and political affairs while enjoying life away from full-time acting.
Career
The history of James Woods’ career tracks one of Hollywood’s most versatile character runs:
- Breakthrough & Critical Acclaim (1978–1989): After starring alongside Meryl Streep in the landmark miniseries Holocaust (1978), Woods gained major acclaim playing Gregory Powell in The Onion Field (1979). He earned his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in Oliver Stone’s Salvador (1986), following standout turns in David Cronenberg’s Videodrome (1983) and Sergio Leone’s Once Upon a Time in America (1984).
- Peak Character Era & Second Oscar Nodule (1990s): He delivered lauded performances in Martin Scorsese’s Casino (1995), Oliver Stone’s Nixon (1995), and Ghosts of Mississippi (1996), earning an Oscar nomination for his haunting portrayal of Byron De La Beckwith. He also voiced Hades in Disney’s animated classic Hercules (1997).
- Television & Executive Producing (2000s–Present): Woods starred as lead attorney Sebastian Stark on CBS’s legal drama Shark (2006–2008). In 2023, he served as an executive producer on Christopher Nolan‘s Oscar-sweeping biographical drama Oppenheimer.
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James Woods Movies
Spanning over 70 film credits, the list of James Woods movies features some of American cinema’s most acclaimed works:
| Movie Title | Release Year | Role | Accolades / Key Notes |
| The Onion Field | 1979 | Gregory Powell | Breakout performance; Golden Globe nominated |
| Videodrome | 1983 | Max Renn | Cult-classic sci-fi horror feature |
| Once Upon a Time in America | 1984 | Maximilian “Max” Bercovicz | Legendary crime epic directed by Sergio Leone |
| Salvador | 1986 | Richard Boyle | Nominated for Academy Award for Best Actor |
| Casino | 1995 | Lester Diamond | Crime classic directed by Martin Scorsese |
| Ghosts of Mississippi | 1996 | Byron De La Beckwith | Nominated for Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor |
| Hercules | 1997 | Hades (Voice) | Fan-favorite iconic Disney villain voice role |
| Contact | 1997 | Michael Kitz | Co-starring Jodie Foster and Matthew McConaughey |
James Woods Net Worth
Built over six decades through leading film salaries, voiceover royalties for Disney franchises, television production deals, and poker tournament earnings, the estimated James Woods net worth sits at approximately $6 million.
Family
The James Woods family background remains rooted in New England and military tradition:
- Parents: Son of the late Gail Peyton Woods, an army officer, and Martha A. Woods.
- Brother: He had one younger brother, Michael Jeffrey Woods, an actor who tragically passed away in 2006.
- Spouse: Woods is married to writer Sara Miller-Woods.
High-Profile Relationships & Marriages
James Woods’ personal life has included three marriages and several high-profile Hollywood romances.
James Woods and Kathryn Morrison
The marriage between James Woods and Kathryn Morrison was his first. Morrison, a costume designer, married Woods in 1980. The couple spent three years together before divorcing in 1983.
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Sarah Owen
The relationship between James Woods and Sarah Owen marked his second marriage. The two married in 1989, but the union ended shortly after in divorce in 1990.
Sara Miller
In August 2021, Woods married writer Sara Miller after dating for several years. The couple shares a quiet life together in California.
Controversies
Throughout his long career, James Woods’ controversies have occasionally generated major headlines:
- Lawsuit with Sean Young (1988): Following their work on The Boost, Woods filed a widely publicized lawsuit against actress Sean Young alleging harassment, which was later settled out of court.
- Outspoken Political Views & Social Media: In recent years, Woods has been a vocal conservative commentator on political platforms, frequently sharing opinions that spark intense online debates and news coverage.
Now
For fans following James Woods now: he focuses his creative energy on executive producing feature films (such as 2023’s Oppenheimer), engaging in professional poker tournaments, and enjoying married life with his wife, Sara Miller-Woods.
Conclusion
James Woods’ biography is a story of intense artistic talent, iconic screen roles, and unapologetic self-expression. From classic 1980s thrillers to modern executive producing, his mark on American entertainment remains unmistakable.
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