Table of Contents
- An Actor Who Connects
- Biography - The Start of James Duval's Story
- What Makes James Duval's Performances Stand Out?
- How Did James Duval Connect with Independent Filmmaking?
- James Duval and the "Teen Apocalypse" Films
- Beyond the Screen - What Else Does James Duval Do?
- Where Can You Explore James Duval's Work?
- A Look at James Duval's Life Outside Acting
- What Are Some Lesser-Known Facts About James Duval?
- James Duval's Impact on Viewers
- Summary of Article's Contents
An Actor Who Connects
James Duval, you know, is a person who acts in movies, someone who has really made a mark in films that stand apart from the big studio productions. He is from America, and people often remember him for the parts he played in movies like "Go," that, and "Donnie Darko," which many find quite memorable. He also appeared in "The Doom Generation," a film that holds a special place for some movie watchers. He is, in some respects, a familiar face in a certain kind of film.
This actor, who has also worked as a producer and writer, has a knack for being in films that people talk about a lot. He was in "Gone in 60 Seconds," for instance, and also "Independence Day," which was a big movie for many. His acting work, pretty much, shows a range of what he can do, making him someone many people recognize from the screen. He brings a certain presence to the characters he takes on, which is something people seem to appreciate.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1972, James Duval has a background that mixes different family heritages, which is quite interesting. He is, actually, someone who has been around for a while in the acting scene, making his presence felt in various projects. He gives off a feeling of being real and connected to the stories he tells, making his contributions to cinema something to think about, really.
Biography - The Start of James Duval's Story
James Edward Duval, sometimes called Jimmy, came into the world on September 10, 1972. He is a person who acts, and he has made quite a name for himself, particularly for the parts he played in what people call the Gregg Araki "Teenage Apocalypse" group of films. He also took on the part of Frank in "Donnie Darko," a character many remember, and played Miguel in "Independence Day." There was also his part as Singh in the movie "Go," so, he has been in a fair number of well-known pictures.
His early life began in Detroit, Michigan, where he was born. Not too long after, in 1974, his family moved out to Los Angeles, California. He went to a few different high schools in California, including Gladstone High School in Covina from 1986 to 1989. He also spent time at Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach and Fair Valley in Covina, which, you know, shows he moved around a bit during his school years.
Before he got into acting, James Duval had a different kind of creative pursuit. As a child, he received training to play the piano, learning the classical way. However, he eventually changed his focus and picked up the guitar instead. He used to play for a group called Antoneus Maximus & The Nuthouze, which is a bit of a fun fact about his earlier days before he became more widely known for acting, honestly.
Personal Details & Bio Data of James Duval
Full Name | James Edward Duval |
Also Known As | Jimmy Duval |
Date of Birth | September 10, 1972 |
Place of Birth | Detroit, Michigan, USA |
Current Residence (moved to) | Los Angeles, California (1974) |
Nationality | American |
Occupation | Actor, Producer, Writer |
Known For | Roles in independent films, collaborations with Gregg Araki, "Donnie Darko," "Independence Day," "Go" |
Musical Background | Classical pianist (child), later guitar player |
What Makes James Duval's Performances Stand Out?
James Duval is someone who brings a particular kind of feeling to the characters he plays. He has been described as having an earnest, romantic soul, which, you know, is quite a way to put it. This kind of person, apparently, can find himself in situations that are full of disorder, violence, and things that seem unreal. He seems to have a way of being very open and sensitive to the world around him, which probably helps him in his acting work.
He is, basically, an actor who can do many different kinds of parts. This ability to change and adapt means he can appear in a wide range of movies and television shows. People recognize him for taking on these different characters, which shows he has a good grasp of what acting is about. His work, in a way, really showcases his capacity to play various kinds of people on screen, from a person caught in chaos to someone who is just trying to get by.
His presence in independent films has made him a cultural touchstone for many who enjoy that style of movie. He is celebrated for the captivating way he performs and for a certain charm he carries. This means, like, he is more than just a face people know from movies; he represents something special in the world of independent cinema. He first started getting noticed in the 1990s, especially with his memorable part in "Donnie Darko," which really put him on the map, so to speak.
How Did James Duval Connect with Independent Filmmaking?
James Duval has a strong connection with independent filmmaker Gregg Araki. This connection is something people often talk about when discussing James Duval's career. He has worked with Araki on a group of films that people refer to as the "Teen Apocalypse Trilogy." These movies, in some respects, gave James Duval a platform to show what he could do as an actor in a unique setting. Their work together, apparently, really helped define a certain period of independent cinema.
His involvement in these films means he was part of stories that explored the lives of young people dealing with big, sometimes strange, issues. These movies, to be honest, were not always easy to watch, but they made people think. James Duval's ability to fit into these kinds of stories really shows his willingness to take on roles that are a bit outside the norm. He has, essentially, become a face associated with a particular style of storytelling that many find compelling.
The independent film scene often allows actors to explore characters and stories that might not be found in bigger studio productions. James Duval, it seems, found a place where he could really express himself and bring these different kinds of people to life. This path he chose, you know, has made him a person who is quite important to the history of independent movies, someone who is remembered for his specific contributions.
James Duval and the "Teen Apocalypse" Films
The "Teen Apocalypse" trilogy by Gregg Araki is a set of films where James Duval played significant parts. These films include "Totally F***ed Up," "The Doom Generation," and "Nowhere." In these movies, James Duval often portrayed characters who were, like, trying to figure things out in a world that felt a bit chaotic and sometimes very strange. His work in these films really helped shape their overall feeling and message.
For example, "The Doom Generation" follows a day in the lives of a group of high school students in Los Angeles and the unusual situations they find themselves in. James Duval was part of the group of actors, which included Rachel True, Nathan Bexton, and Chiara Mastroianni, who brought these characters to life. This movie, in a way, captures a certain kind of youthful experience that is both ordinary and, very, very odd.
His parts in these movies, you know, have made him quite famous among fans of Gregg Araki's work. The characters he played in this trilogy, along with Frank in "Donnie Darko," Miguel in "Independence Day," and Singh in "Go," are some of the most well-known roles he has taken on. He has, apparently, left a lasting impression on people who watch these films, which is pretty cool.
Beyond the Screen - What Else Does James Duval Do?
While James Duval is most recognized for his acting, the information suggests he has also been involved in producing and writing. This means he does more than just stand in front of the camera; he also helps bring stories to life from behind the scenes. This kind of involvement shows a broader interest in making movies and telling stories, not just acting in them, which is quite common for people in the film world, actually.
The creative path of a person in the entertainment business can often go in many directions. For James Duval, it appears that his desire to create goes beyond simply performing. He has, so, taken on roles that involve putting together film projects and writing down ideas for stories. This suggests a deeper passion for the whole process of filmmaking, which is pretty neat.
His work as a producer and writer, while perhaps not as widely publicized as his acting, still contributes to his overall body of work. It shows that he is a person who likes to be involved in different parts of making movies, giving him a more complete picture of the film creation process. It's almost as if he wants to be part of the story from start to finish, not just the part where he is seen on screen.
Where Can You Explore James Duval's Work?
If you want to see all the movies and TV shows James Duval has been in, there are places where you can look. For example, you can explore his complete filmography on websites like Rotten Tomatoes. This kind of site lets you discover every movie and television show where he has been given credit for his work. It is a good way, you know, to get a full picture of his acting career.
You can also find out where to watch his latest movies and TV shows on various platforms. Websites often list where a particular film or show is streaming or available for purchase. This makes it easier for people who want to see his performances to find them. It is, basically, a helpful tool for anyone interested in his work.
There are also lists of the best James Duval movies, which are often put in order from what people consider the best to the least best. These lists sometimes come with movie trailers, which can give you a quick look at the film. His movies that have made a lot of money have received many good comments over the years, bringing in large sums of money around the world. The way these top movies are ordered, like, is often decided by how many people have seen them or how much money they have earned, which is pretty interesting.
A Look at James Duval's Life Outside Acting
James Duval's life before he became known for acting has some interesting details. He was born in the Midwest, and he spent the early part of his life growing up in Alaska. This is a bit different from many actors who start out in big cities. This early time in Alaska, you know, must have given him a different kind of experience compared to growing up in a place like Los Angeles.
There's also a story about him successfully finishing a mission, after which he took ownership of a small group of video stores in Alaska. This suggests he had a bit of an entrepreneurial spirit even before his acting career really took off. In the early 90s, he made a big change and moved to California because he wanted to pursue something new, which, basically, turned out to be acting.
His personal life, like his birthday, what he did before fame, his family life, and other fun facts, are things that people sometimes look up. There are also popularity rankings and more information available about him online. This shows that people are curious about the person behind the screen, not just the characters he plays, which is pretty typical for people who are in the public eye, honestly.
What Are Some Lesser-Known Facts About James Duval?
One fact about James Duval that might not be widely known is his early musical training. As a child, he was trained as a classical pianist. This means he learned to play the piano in a formal way, which is a bit of a contrast to his later career in acting. However, he eventually changed his focus to the guitar, as mentioned before, and even played for a band, which is pretty cool.
His journey from Detroit to Los Angeles, and even a period in Alaska, shows that he moved around a fair bit when he was younger. This kind of varied background, you know, could have given him different perspectives that he brings to his work. It is, in a way, a part of what makes his story unique among actors.
There's also some information about his social media presence, like his TikTok account, where he has a good number of followers and likes. He shares things there, for example, about being in a "trouple" with two other people, which gives a glimpse into his personal life that he chooses to share. This kind of interaction, apparently, allows fans to connect with him in a different way than just through his movies.
James Duval's Impact on Viewers
James Duval has, in a way, left a real mark on the people who watch his films, especially those in the independent movie scene. He is seen as a person who really stands out in the history of independent movies, someone who is more than just a face people know from the screen. He is, to be honest, considered a cultural touchstone, celebrated for the way he performs and for his charm.
His parts in films like "Donnie Darko" have made him a memorable figure for many. The characters he plays often have a certain depth or feeling that resonates with viewers. This connection he makes with the audience, you know, is a big part of why people continue to follow his work and remember his contributions to cinema. He has a way of making his characters feel real, which is a great thing for an actor to do.
The fact that his movies have earned millions around the world and received many good comments over the years shows that his work has reached a wide audience and made an impression. People talk about his performances, and his films are often ranked among the best in their categories. This kind of reception, basically, means he has had a lasting effect on the people who watch movies, which is quite an achievement.
Summary of Article's Contents
This article explored James Duval, an American actor known for his work in independent films and collaborations with Gregg Araki. It covered his background, including his birth in Detroit in 1972 and his move to Los Angeles. Details about his early life, such as his classical piano training and time in Alaska, were mentioned. The discussion included his notable parts in movies like "Donnie Darko," "Independence Day," and "Go," as well as his roles in the "Teen Apocalypse" trilogy. The piece also touched on his work as a producer and writer, and how people can find his filmography. Lastly, it looked at some personal facts and his overall effect on those who watch his films.
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