Profile photo of James Cromwell

James Cromwell

James Oliver Cromwell (born January 27, 1940) is an American film and television actor. He is best known for his role as Dr. Zefram Cochrane in “Star Trek: First Contact,” as well as his roles in “Babe,” “L.A. Confidential,” and “Spider-Man 3.” He has been nominated for an Oscar, three Emmy Awards, and four Screen Actors Guild Awards during his career. Cromwell was born in Los Angeles, California and was raised in Manhattan, New York. He was adopted by actress Kay Johnson and actor, director and producer John Cromwell, who was blacklisted during the McCarthy era. He was educated at The Hill School, Middlebury College and Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University), where he studied engineering. Like both his parents, he was drawn to the theater, doing everything from Shakespeare to experimental plays. He has long been an advocate of leftist causes. In an October 2008 interview, he strongly attacked the Republican Party and the George W. Bush administration, saying their controversial foreign policy would "either destroy us or the entire planet." He became a vegetarian in 1974 after seeing a stockyard in Texas and experiencing the "smell, terror and anxiety." He became an ethical vegan while playing the character of Farmer Hoggett in the movie Babe in 1995. He frequently speaks out on issues regarding animal cruelty for PETA, largely the treatment of pigs. Cromwell was married to Anne Ulvestad from 1976 to 1986. They had three children. He married his second wife, Julie Cobb, on May 29, 1986.

Filmography

2024
Rebel Ridge

as Judge

Movie
2019
That Guy... Who Was In That Thing 3: Trek Stars

as Self

Movie
2018
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

as Benjamin Lockwood

Movie
2014
Big Hero 6

as Professor Robert Callaghan (voice)

Movie
2007
Spider-Man 3

as Captain Stacy

Movie
2007
Becoming Jane

as Mr. Austen

Movie
2006
The Queen

as Prince Philip

Movie
2005
The Longest Yard

as Warden Hazen

Movie
2004
I, Robot

as Dr. Alfred Lanning

Movie
2002
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron

as The Colonel (voice)

Movie
1999
The Green Mile

as Warden Hal Moores

Movie
1998
Babe: Pig in the City

as Farmer Arthur Hoggett

Movie
1998
Deep Impact

as Alan Rittenhouse

Movie
1997
L.A. Confidential

as Dudley Smith

Movie
1995
Babe

as Farmer Hoggett

Movie
2024
Murder in a Small Town

as George Wilcox

TV Show