James Drury
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- April 18, 1934
- Died
- April 6, 2020
- Birthplace
- New York City, New York, USA
James Child Drury Jr. (April 18, 1934 – April 6, 2020) was an American actor. He is best known for having played the title role in the 90-minute weekly Western television series The Virginian, which was broadcast on NBC from 1962 to 1971. Drury was born in New York City, the son of James Child Drury and Beatrice Crawford Drury. His father was a New York University professor of marketing. He grew up between New York City and Salem, Oregon, where his mother owned a farm. Drury contracted polio at the age of 10. He studied drama at New York University and took additional classes at UCLA to complete his degree after he began acting in films at MGM. On February 7, 1957, Drury married Cristall Othones, and fathered two sons, Timothy and James III. The couple divorced on November 23, 1964 and on April 27, 1968, he married Phyllis Jacqueline Mitchell; the marriage ended in divorce on January 30, 1979. His third marriage was to Carl Ann Head on July 30, 1979; it lasted until her death on August 25, 2019. Drury had three stepchildren from his previous marriages, a stepdaughter, Rhonda Brown, and two stepsons, Frederick Drury and Gary Schero. Drury died from natural causes on April 6, 2020.
Filmography
- The Cartoon Cowboys: Spirit of the Alamo
The Cartoon Cowboys: Spirit of the Alamo 2015
as Buffalo Bill Cody (voice)/"The Mysterious Traveler" (voice)
Hell to Pay 2005
as JT Coffee
The Virginian 2000
as Rider
Maverick 1994
as Riverboat Poker Player (uncredited)
Walker, Texas Ranger: One Riot, One Ranger 1993
as Captain Tom Price
The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw 1991
as Jim
Return to the Titanic 1981
as Self - Host, Writer
When the West Was Fun: A Western Reunion 1979
as Self
The Meanest Men in the West 1978
as The Range Boss (The Virginian)
The Bull of the West 1972
as Man from Virginia
The Devil and Miss Sarah 1971
as Gil Turner
Breakout 1970
as Joe Baker
Backtrack! 1969
as Ramrod (archive footage)
The Young Warriors 1967
as Sergeant Cooley
The Final Hour 1965
as The Virginian
The Brazen Bell 1964
as The Virginian
The Devil's Children 1962
as The Virginian
Third of a Man 1962
as Emmet
Ride the High Country 1962
as Billy Hammond
Ten Who Dared 1960
as Walter Powell
Rapids Ahead/Bear Country 1960
Actor
Pollyanna 1960
as George Dodds
Toby Tyler or Ten Weeks with a Circus 1960
as Jim Weaver
Good Day for a Hanging 1959
as Paul Ridgely
Bitter Heritage 1958
as Jesse James, Jr.
Bernardine 1957
as Langley Philip Beaymont
Love Me Tender 1956
as Ray Reno
The Last Wagon 1956
as Lt. Kelly
Forbidden Planet 1956
as Crewman Strong
Diane 1956
as Lieutenant (uncredited)
The Tender Trap 1955
as Eddie
Blackboard Jungle 1955
as Hospital Attendant (uncredited)
Credits from TMDB.