Born Aug. 31, 1928, in Laurel, Neb., James Coburn studied acting at the University of Southern California and with Stella Adler in New York City. He made his film debut in Ride Lonesome and The Fugitive Kind (both 1959) and then established his macho cowboy image in The Magnificent Seven.Coburn became a 1960s pop-culture icon as America's answer to James Bond -- secret agent Derek Flint in Our Man Flint (1966) and In Like Flint (1967). He continued in character roles into the 1990s and was also a highly recognizable voice-over talent. As Nick Nolte's cruel father in Affliction (1998), Coburn won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar -- an award that was as much a career tribute as recognition for his single performance.
Other important Coburn films include The President's Analyst, Pat Garret and Billy the Kid, Cross of Iron, Maverick and Snow Dogs. Coburn died Nov. 18, 2002.
Cross of IronDirector Sam Peckinpah's unflinching look at war stars James Coburn as Cpl. Steiner, the leader of a German platoon circa 1943. A contest of wills develops between the courageous Steiner and his new commander, Capt. Stransky (Maximilian Schell) -- a pompous aristocrat. Stransky has his sights set on... Read More
The Last of SheilaOn the first anniversary of his wife's death, a wealthy movie producer (James Coburn) hosts a party aboard his yacht for a group of entertainment industry insiders who may be connected with the accident that claimed his wife's life. Featuring an all-star ensemble cast, this twisty whodunit (written... Read More
Pat Garrett and Billy the KidCharged with the task of wiping the Old West clean and making way for a new one, reluctant Sheriff Pat Garrett (James Coburn) must betray his former cronies -- among them, Billy the Kid (Kris Kristofferson). But as the ways of the West die off, the characters find their own identities fading into... Read More
Deep WaterAlan Decker (Costas Mandylor), a member of the U.S. Navy Special Forces, is assigned to keep an eye on the daughter of an oil tycoon while she's aboard a cruise ship headed to Hawaii. When terrorists set off a nuclear explosion nearby, the resulting tidal wave capsizes the ocean liner. With hundreds... Read More
What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?Helmed by Blake Edwards, this World War II spoof centers on Capt. Cash (Dick Shawn) and Lt. Christian (James Coburn), who are tasked with capturing a Sicilian village -- and are shocked to find the populace ready to surrender … once their wine festival is over. Meanwhile, an intelligence... Read More
