James Naughton

Craggy Irish-American James Naughton, a handsome charmer and solid character lead of crime stories, is best-known for his strong, cynical work on the musical stage. He firmly moved into films and especially TV roles, however, thanks to his Tony Award-winning Broadway success. A post-war baby and the older brother of actor David Naughton, the Connecticut native was born on December 1, 1945, the son of a pair of school teachers. Jim developed a taste for singing during his years performing at high school events.

Following studies at Brown University and the Yale School of Drama, Jim made his off-Broadway debut in 1971 for his pungent portrayal of “Edmund” in “Long Day’s Journey Into Night,” for which he received a Theatre World Award. his Broadway debut with “I Love My Wife” in 1977, followed by “Whose Life Is It Anyway?” in 1980.

In the early 70’s he made a strong impression in the TV movie version of the play Look Homeward, Angel (1972) starring Timothy Bottoms and followed that with a featured role in the acclaimed college dramedy The Paper Chase (1973) also starring Bottoms. This led to a brief, co-starring role opposite veteran Dan Dailey in the short-lived father/son detective TV series Faraday and Company (1973), which was one of a rotating series of four programs comprising “The NBC Wednesday Mystery Movie,” and as astronaut Pete Burke in the equally short-lived TV series version of Planet of the Apes (1974). In the meantime he also found guest roles on such crime series as “Mannix,” “Joe Forrester” and “Barnaby Jones.”

Jim continued diligently with work on TV throughout the 80s starring in three more quickly canceled TV programs — as a high school dean in Making the Grade (1982); an emergency room team lead in the medical drama Trauma Center (1983); and a single dad raising a daughter in Raising Miranda (1988). He also had a light recurring role as Judith Light’s ex-husband in the sitcom Who’s the Boss? (1984). His smooth voice has often been heard on national TV commercials and in radio spots. He is provided narration on PBS television’s Nature series.

JIm received bookend Tony Awards for his “Sam Spade”-like detective in the 1989 film noir musical “City of Angels” (1990) and as slick, shyster lawyer/razzle dazzler “Billy Flynn” in the revival of “Chicago” (1997). He would also direct such stage plays as Arthur Miller’s “The Price” and Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” with Paul Newman and Jane Curtin.

Sporadic, often restrained work in such films as the Stephen King horror opus Cat’s Eye (1985), The Glass Menagerie (1987) (as the “Gentleman Caller”), The Good Mother (1988), First Kid (1996), The First Wives Club (1996), Oxygen (1999), Factory Girl (2006), Suburban Girl (2007), The Word (2013), Equity (2016) and The Independents (2018), which starred and was directed by his son Greg Naughton and featured actress/daughter Keira Naughton, usually had Jim cast as trustworthy husbands (well, not always) and well-dressed professionals. He possessed one of those strong, worldly faces you certainly know but may not quite place.

Into the millennium, Jim has had recurring roles on such series as Ally McBeal (1997), Gossip Girl (2007) and Hostages (2013). Naughton has also taken to the cabaret circuit where his simple, relaxed singing style was showcased in his award-winning one-man show “Street of Dreams.” The show, which featured a number of eclectic songs from country and western to contemporary pop to classic standards, was seen at such venues as the Manhattan Theatre Club and Caroline’s Comedy Club. His wife, former actress Pamela Parsons, died of cancer in 2013.