John James

John James Anderson (born April 18, 1956) is an American actor and producer widely known to television audiences for his roles as Jeff Colby in both the prime-time soap opera Dynasty and its spin-off series The Colbys throughout the 1980s.

Career James is a veteran of daytime soaps, first appearing in Search for Tomorrow in the late 1970s. In 1981, he won the role of Jeff Colby in Dynasty, appearing in the first episode, "Oil", and remaining on the prime time soap opera until the final episode, Catch 22 in 1989. James played the same role in The Colbys between 1985 and 1987,

James returned to the genre playing Rick Decker on As the World Turns in 2003–2004. In May 2006, he was cast in the role of Dr. Jeff Martin (the first husband of Erica Kane played by series star Susan Lucci) on the ABC daytime soap opera All My Children. He began appearing the following month. On July 15, 2008, James returned to As the World Turns, reprising the role of demented Dr. Rick Decker.

In film, James starred in Icebreaker (2000) with Sean Astin, Bruce Campbell, and Stacy Keach; in The Cursed aka Peril (2001) with Morgan Fairchild and Michael Pare; in Lightning: Fire from the Sky (2001) with Jesse Eisenberg, Stacy Keach and John Schneider and in Chronology (2015) with William Baldwin and Danny Trejo, all of which were directed by David Giancola.

He produced and starred in Illegal Aliens (2007). In 2012, James starred in the Giancola documentary, Addicted to Fame (2012), about the making of their film Illegal Aliens. In 2016, James produced and starred in another Giancola film — the sci-fi action adventure, Axcellerator which reunited him with The Colbys co-star Maxwell Caulfield while James' daughter Laura played one of the roles.

James has appeared on stage intermittently, from musicals for the producer John Kenley to a 1996 national tour of Dial 'M' for Murder with Roddy McDowall, to playing Captain Keller in Judson Theatre Company's The Miracle Worker in 2018.

Personal life James was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as one of the three children of radio broadcaster Herb Oscar Anderson (1928—2017) and his first wife. His brother, Herb Oscar Anderson II, is an actor.

In 1989, James married Denise Ellen Coward (born 1955 in Australia), a model and 2nd Runner-up for Miss World 1978. They have two children. In 2012, James' daughter, Laura, won America's Next Top Model, Cycle 19. His son Phillip is serving in the United States Air Force.

In 2014, James considered running as a Republican for New York's 21st congressional district.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes 2025 The Legend of Van Dorn Mayor Haines Historical drama; Cannes 2025 screening 2022 My Son Hunter Joe Biden 2020 The ObamaGate Movie James Comey Online release Axcellerator Sy 2018 Christmas Camp Ben 2016 Chronology Tom aka The Lost Day 2012 Addicted to Fame Himself Documentary; Biography 2003–2004, 2008 As the World Turns Rick Decker 14 episodes 2007 Illegal Aliens Big Tony Producer 2006–2007 All My Children Jeff Martin 32 episodes 2001 Lightning: Fire from the Sky Porter Randall TV movie 2001 The Cursed Scott aka Peril 2000 Icebreaker Will Langley 2000 Pacific Blue S.N.A.F.U. 1 Episode 1998 Love Boat: The Next Wave Ray Kennedy 1 Episode 1998 Touched by an Angel Sam Carver 1 Episode 1992 Partners 'n Love Carey Mays TV movie 1991 Dynasty: The Reunion Jeff Colby TV movie 1991 Perry Mason: The Case of the Ruthless Reporter Brett Huston TV movie 1987 Haunted by Her Past Eric Beckett TV movie 1985–1987 The Colbys Jeff Colby 49 episodes 1984 He's Not Your Son Ted Barnes TV movie 1984 Finder of Lost Loves Father Michael Bretton 1 Episode 1982 The Love Boat Di Nardi / Enzo Carducci 4 episodes 1982 Fantasy Island Corky Daniels 1 Episode 1981–1989 Dynasty Jeff Colby 168 episodes; Golden Globe Award nomination 1977 Search for Tomorrow Tom 'Junior' Bergman 4 episodes

Self

The Home and Family Show - Dynasty Reunion (2015) America's Next Top Model - Laura's Father (2012) The Life and Death of Anna Nicole Smith (2007) Intimate Portrait - Emma Samms (2002) After They Were Famous - Dynasty (2002) E! True Hollywood Story - Dynasty (2001) Denver-Clan ohne Maske (1994) The Joan Rivers Show - November, 4 (1991) Live! with Kelly and Michael - October 18, (1991) Entertainment Tonight November, 11 (1987) Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade TV Special (1986) The 12th Annual People's Choice Awards (1986) The 43rd Annual Golden Globe Awards (1986) The 11th Annual People's Choice Awards (1985) Christmas with the Carringtons BBC TV Special (1985) Breakaway TV Series (1984) Battle of the Network Stars XVI - ABC Team Captain (1984) The 10th Annual People's Choice Awards (1984) Battle of the Network Stars XIV - ABC Team Captain (1983) The Merv Griffin Show - February 12 (1983) The Merv Griffin Show - November 6 (1982) Miss USA 1982 - Celebrity Judge (1982) Battle of the Network Stars XIII - ABC Team (1982) Battle of the Network Stars XII - ABC Team (1982)

Awards

Discography This Time b/w Fooling Around (with Heidi Bruhl; 1984) Painted Dreams b/w Sleeping In Your Arms Again (1985) (GER # 60, 5 weeks)