James Todd Spaderย (/หspeษชdษr/ย SPAY-dษr; born February 7, 1960) is an American actor. He is known for often portraying eccentric and morally ambiguous characters. He began his career in critically acclaimed independent films before transitioning into television, where he has received acclaim and many awards, including threeย Primetime Emmy Awardsย and nominations for threeย Golden Globe Awards, and tenย Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Spader began acting in youth-oriented films such asย Tuff Turf,ย The New Kidsย (both 1985),ย Pretty in Pinkย (1986), andย Mannequinย (1987). His breakthrough role came with theย Steven Soderberghย dramaย Sex, Lies, and Videotapeย (1989), for which he received theย Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor. He then starred in films such asย White Palaceย (1990),ย True Colorsย (1991),ย Stargateย (1994),ย 2 Days in the Valleyย (1996), andย Secretaryย (2002). Spader took supporting roles inย Bob Robertsย (1992),ย Wolfย (1994),ย Lincolnย (2012), andย The Homesmanย (2014). He also played the role ofย Ultronย in theย Marvel Cinematic Universeย filmย Avengers: Age of Ultronย (2015).
His television roles include the attorneyย Alan Shoreย in the last season ofย The Practice (2003โ2004) and its spin-offย Boston Legalย (2004โ2008), which earned him threeย Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. He portrayedย Robert Californiaย in the sitcomย The Officeย (2011โ2012). He then starred asย Raymond Reddingtonย in theย NBCย crime thriller seriesย The Blacklistย (2013โ2023), for which he received two Golden Globe Award nominations forย Best Actor โ Television Series Drama.
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