James Marsters | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Marsters at 2023 Comic Con Brussels | |
| Born | James Wesley Marsters (1962-08-20)August 20, 1962 (age 63) Greenville, California, U.S. |
| Other names |
|
| Education | |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1987–present |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 2 |
| Signature | |
 | |
James Wesley Marsters (born August 20, 1962) is an American actor, musician, singer, comic book writer, and audiobook narrator.
He is best known for his role as the British punk vampireSpike inThe WB seriesBuffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin-off,Angel. Since then, he has played the alien supervillainBrainiac along with Professor Milton Fine andBrainiac 5 on theSuperman-inspired seriesSmallville,Captain John Hart onTorchwood and terrorist Barnabas Greeley inSyfy'sCaprica.
He appeared in a supporting role in the filmP.S. I Love You, as Victor Hesse in the 2010 reboot ofHawaii Five-0, andVictor Stein in theMarvel seriesRunaways. He is also the voice ofZamasu along with Future Zamasu for theFunimation dub of theDragon Ball franchise. He made a guest appearance in the showSupernatural as a warlock business tycoon in a tumultuous marriage with a witch (played byBuffy castmateCharisma Carpenter). He starred in the critically acclaimed two-partindie filmA Bread Factory by directorPatrick Wang. He also voiced the roles ofLex Luthor in the filmSuperman: Doomsday and the video gameDC Universe Online, Sergei inSpider-Man: The New Animated Series,Mister Fantastic inThe Super Hero Squad Show,Korvac inUltimate Spider-Man, Captain Faro Argyus inStar Wars: The Clone Wars, Louis 'Match' Morris inReal Heroes: Firefighter, Nosferatu inDuckTales and various voices inScooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated.
He is sometimes credited in various anime series and video games as David Gray and Sam Majesters in the seriesDragon Ball Super and the video gameDragon Ball FighterZ respectively.
Marsters was born inGreenville, California, the son of aUnited Methodist minister and social worker.[1] He grew up with his brother, Paul, and sister, Susan, inModesto, California.[2] Dreaming about becoming an actor since he playedEeyore inWinnie-the-Pooh in 4th grade[citation needed], Marsters joined the theatre group atGrace M. Davis High School and acted in many plays, including musicals. After graduation in 1980, Marsters studied at thePacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts atAllan Hancock College inSanta Maria, California. In 1982, he moved to New York City to attend theJuilliard School, but was expelled from the program after just two years.[3]
 | This section of abiography of a living personneeds additionalcitations forverification. Please help by addingreliable sources.Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced orpoorly sourcedmust be removed immediately from the article and its talk page, especially if potentiallylibelous. Find sources: "James Marsters" – news ·newspapers ·books ·scholar ·JSTOR(January 2014) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Marsters moved to Chicago, where his first professional acting role was Ferdinand inThe Tempest at theGoodman Theatre in 1987. In this production, he was rolled onto the stage strapped naked to a wheel. He talks about this experience and his other theatrical roles at length in a 2020 interview with Michael Rosenbaum on the podcast 'Inside of You'.[4] He also appeared with well-known Chicago companies such as the Northlight and theBailiwick and with his own group, the Genesis Theatre Company. Marsters was nominated for aJoseph Jefferson Award for his performance of the lead role ofRobespierre in the six-hour dramaIncorruptible: The Life, Death and Dreams of Maximilian de Robespierre in 1989.
In 1990, he moved toSeattle and, with Liane Davidson and Greg Musick, formed the New Mercury Theatre. In this and other companies, Marsters was involved in a wide range of plays, includingTeechers (a British play byJohn Godber),Anouilh'sAntigone, an original work based on theDr. Seuss books, andShaw'sMisalliance.
In 1992, he got his first TV acting job onNorthern Exposure, in which he appeared for two episodes as a bellboy and a church minister. He has made guest appearances on television series includingAndromeda, as well as the independent filmsChance (2002),Winding Roads (1999), and theUSA Network filmCool Money (2005). In 1999, he had a small role in the remake ofHouse on Haunted Hill as a TV cameraman.
Marsters attracted the general public's attention for his appearance as villain, and later anti-hero,Spike on season 2 of the television seriesBuffy the Vampire Slayer. For the role, Marsters spoke with aLondon accent, for which he received informal coaching from British co-starAnthony Head.
Spike had been intended as a short role by creatorJoss Whedon, who originally resisted Spike's popularity. "He made it very clear he did not want the show to be taken over by another romantic vampire," Marsters told411Mania, adding "to Joss, vampires were supposed to be ugly, evil, and quick to be killed ... when I was cast Joss did not imagine me to be popular; Spike was supposed to be dirty and evil,punk rock, and then dead." The massive fan response prevented his character from being killed off, allowing Spike a presence throughout the second season.
There were no plans to bring Spike back as a regular onBuffy, until the characterCordelia Chase was moved to the spin-off show,Angel, and, as Marsters told411Mania, "they needed someone to tell Buffy she was stupid and about to die, and [so] they decided to bring me back." Marsters thought Spike would not last because, being a vampire, Spike was restricted to night-time scenes and could not feasibly interact with human characters as often as Cordelia.[5] Surprisingly, Spike would become a romantic partner for Buffy, and Marsters a main cast member until the very end of the show.
After the conclusion ofBuffy, Marsters carried Spike over to its spinoff,Angel, as a series regular in its fifth and final season. Marsters was asked to keep quiet about this, as his return was intended to be a surprise, but the network promoted Spike's return as soon as it could, in order to create media buzz and attract advertisers.[5]
In April 2004, following the end ofAngel, Marsters had Spike's trademark bleached hair shaved off for charity live on television during an episode ofOn Air with Ryan Seacrest.[6]
WhenAngel was cancelled, there were plans for several television films based on the characters from theBuffy/Angel universe. Talk of a Spike film began in 2004,[7] and Whedon still had plans into 2006[8] before they were formally abandoned. Marsters said he would only return to play Spike if the project took place within five years, feeling he would become too old to play the character (an immortal) after that:
As long as I could do it within, say, the next four or five years; past that, I'm too old. Spike's a vampire, man, and I've got high standards.
— James Marsters,TV Guide Interview, March 3, 2005
Aside from playing Spike, Marsters co-wrote a comic book one-shot forDark Horse Comics,Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Spike and Dru.[9] AfterBuffy the Vampire Slayer andAngel ended, Marsters became active with the canonical comic book series of both shows, particularly with stories centering around his character. A canonical graphic novel set during the seventh season ofBuffy the Vampire Slayer,Spike: Into the Light, written by Marsters himself, was released by Dark Horse Comics on July 16, 2014.
Marsters has narrated the audiobooks forThe Dresden Files, a series of detective novels with a supernatural bent and the side short story collection in the same universe,Side Jobs, were also recorded by Marsters. He did not originally record the Dresden bookGhost Story due to a scheduling conflict, leaving fellowSmallville alumnus and actorJohn Glover to record it;[10] this caused a fairly noteworthy public outcry by audiobook listeners. He returned for the following bookCold Days. On March 24, 2015, Jim Butcher announced that a new version of theGhost Story audiobook was to be released on April 21, 2015, with Marsters returning as the narrator in response to fan demands.[11]
In 2005, Marsters filmed a thriller,Shadow Puppets, withJolene Blalock. Late that year, Marsters appeared on the television seriesSmallville playing Dr. Milton Fine—the popularSuperman villainBrainiac—in eight episodes throughout the show's fifth season. He reprised his role as Brainiac in a four-episode arc in the seventh season, and did a cameo voice-over in season eight. He returned for one episode in the show's final season.[12] On October 29, 2005, Marsters presented two performances of his own abridged adaptation ofShakespeare'sMacbeth with American actress Cheryl Puente as Lady Macbeth, followed by question and answer sessions with the audience and acoustic concerts in London.
In September 2006, Marsters' interpretation of Godber'sTeechers was performed on the Queen Mary with two other actors in Los Angeles. This is a play he had received critical acclaim for as a stage actor prior to his television work. Marsters co-starred in the 2007 cinematic release ofP.S. I Love You alongsideKathy Bates,Hilary Swank, andGerard Butler.[13] Released in September 2007, Marsters starred in the direct-to-DVD animated film,Superman: Doomsday, providing the voice of iconic villainLex Luthor. The film received mostly positive reviews.
In 2008, he guest-starred inTorchwood, a spin-off of the popular Britishscience fiction television seriesDoctor Who, first appearing in the episode "Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang",[14][15] as the nefariousomnisexualtime travellerCaptain John Hart. He reprised the role in the last two episodes of the second season.
He portrayed "Piccolo Daimao" in thelive-action film adaptation of the popularDragon Ballmanga andanime,[16] directed byJames Wong and produced byStephen Chow, which was released worldwide on April 10, 2009 and performed poorly both critically and financially.
On July 20, 2009, the filmMoonshot aired on the History Channel in celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the 1969Apollo 11 Moon landing. In this film, Marsters portraysBuzz Aldrin. On August 19, 2009, it was announced that he signed on for a role inCaprica as the terrorist leader Barnabas Greeley.[17]
Also in August 2009, Marsters' science fiction western,High Plains Invaders aired on theSyfy Channel. In this alien invasion flick, Marsters portrays Sam Danville.[18] It was announced in August 2010 that Marsters would be joining the cast of Syfy Channel seriesThree Inches as a series regular portraying Troy Hamilton, a former government agent who now leads a team of superheroes.[19]
On June 24, 2011, Marsters appeared in anL.A. Theatre Works radio production ofThe Importance of Being Earnest, in the part of Sir John Worthing, which aired on June 25, 2011.[citation needed]
He has appeared onSupernatural in the episode "Shut Up, Dr. Phil", which aired October 21, 2011, alongside fellow Buffyverse co-starCharisma Carpenter. He also appeared inWarehouse 13 in 2013 as Bennett Sutton alongside fellow Buffyverse alumnusAnthony Stewart Head.
In 2018, some sources speculated that Marsters is the voice actor ofDragon Ball Super characterZamasu.[20][21] In October 2021, atFan Expo Canada, both Marsters andDragon Ball Super voice directorChristopher Sabat publicly confirmed that he voiced Zamasu under the pseudonym of David Gray. As a fan of theDragon Ball franchise, Marsters agreed to play the role of Zamasu inDragon Ball Super at the suggestion of Sabat himself andSean Schemmel when they met during a convention. Marsters did so entirely for free in order to "redeem himself with theDragon Ball Z community" after his appearance in the poorly received filmDragon Ball: Evolution.[22][23]
Marsters had played in bands and solo in bars and clubs for many years and enjoyed several successful sell-out solo gigs at Los Angeles clubs before forming a band. For these solo gigs he mainly performed covers of classicfolk and rock musicians such asTom Waits,Neil Young,James Taylor, andBruce Springsteen. He sang in "Once More, with Feeling", a musical episode ofBuffy: solo parts in "Walk Through the Fire" and "Something To Sing About", and "Rest in Peace" completely on his own.
In 2003–04, Marsters was the lead singer for the rock bandGhost of the Robot. Their debut albumMad Brilliant was released on February 2, 2003. The band played its first gigs in Los Angeles and Paris. They went on to play successful dates in and around Los Angeles and two sold-out tours of Europe in 2003 and 2004. In addition toMad Brilliant, they released three singles ("Valerie", "David Letterman" and "New Man") and one mid-lengthEP,It's Nothing. All these releases carried tracks written and co-written by Marsters. Several of Ghost of the Robot's earlier songs were loosely based on theBuffy the Vampire Slayer characters Buffy, Dawn, and Faith.
Marsters' solo musical career was launched in October 2004, in London. His solo acoustic tour of the United Kingdom in April 2005 sold out.[24] A new solo album "Civilized Man" produced by Chris Rhyne and Andrew Rosenthal[24] was released on April 15, 2005. It includes several new songs as well as the popular "Katie" and "Smile". He has played songs from the album live in Detroit,Houston, andSacramento. Ten of the eleven songs are written by Marsters.[citation needed]
New solo songs not included on the album but sung at live solo concerts include "Birth of the Blues", "Finer than Gold", "Louise", and "London City". "Finer than Gold", "London City", and "Louise" were composed while on tour in the UK in April 2005. "Birth of the Blues" was composed by Marsters inAmsterdam in 2004 while touring with his now-defunct band. During his October 2005 mini-tour of the UK, Marsters introduced other new songs to his sets: "Button Down Vandals", "Up On Me", and "All That She Wanted". These songs were available only as part of his recently releasedWords and Music DVD, which has his abridged version ofMacbeth as well as a full-length solo music performance.[citation needed]
During his September 2006 convention, James Marsters & Friends,[24] he debuted several new songs including "The Truth Is Heavy", "Fall of Night", "Jealous Man", and "Not A Millionaire". All these songs reflect his new blues music and folk sound. He also performed a cover version ofKeb Mo's classic "Baby Blue". In 2007, he performed live several times in the UK and debuted two new songs written inCardiff. "Layabout" and "Looking at You" reflect a more upbeat light folk move in Marsters' music. These songs as well as some of his previously unrecorded work were released on Marsters' second solo album, formally launched in Los Angeles andCardiff in October and November 2007 respectively. This album,Like a Waterfall,[24] includes twelve songs, all written by Marsters. Most had been performed and recorded live but not in the studio. An exception is "When I Was a Baby", a song never previously performed in public.[citation needed]
Like a Waterfall was produced byRyan Shore and features several other musicians including Blair Sinta, who has drummed forAlanis Morissette, andFive for Fighting bass player Curt Schneider. In 2008, Marsters' Waterfall Tour came to the UK. He played the first three dates across London and performed for three consecutive days in Milton Keynes. The concert at the packedUnion Chapel inIslington was an acoustic set featuring material from his album—Like A Waterfall.[25]
On May 1, 2009, he returned to the Union Chapel,[26] followed by a "Marstersclass" event at The Drill Hall, in London on May 2.[27] The sell-out event included a concert, Q&A session plus opportunities to get autographs and photos. On May 3, 2009, he performed at London's 100 Club.[28]
In 2010 James' music career continued when the bandGhost of the Robot reformed: they have since released the albumB-Sider which is available oniTunes. Afterwards, in 2011, the albumMurphy's Law was released, which is also available for download iniTunes. There are also multiple otherEPs available on theiTunes Store.
In 2023, Ghost of the Robot released the albumTin Man, which is available onBandcamp. It includes the song "Don't Worry Son," which Marsters wrote while he was working onBuffy the Vampire Slayer.[29]
Marsters is divorced from Liane Davidson, with whom he has one son (born 1996). In 2002, Marsters began raising his five-year-old niece, whom he now regards as his daughter.[30][31]
It was announced on May 21, 2010, that Marsters had proposed to girlfriend Patricia Rahman inTrier, Germany.[32] On January 14, 2011, they married in a private civil ceremony in Los Angeles.[33] In February 2021, the couple filed for divorce.[34]
As a solo artist:
With California-based rock bandGhost of the Robot:
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Winding Roads | Billy Johnson | |
| House on Haunted Hill | Channel Three Cameraman | ||
| 2002 | Chance | Simon | |
| 2007 | Shadow Puppets | Jack | |
| Superman: Doomsday | Lex Luthor | Voice, direct-to-video | |
| P.S. I Love You | John McCarthy | ||
| 2009 | Dragonball Evolution | Lord Piccolo | |
| 2015 | Billie Bob Joe | Himself | Cameo |
| Dudes & Dragons | Lord Tensley | Dragon Warriors (working title) | |
| 2016 | New Life | William Morton | |
| 2018 | A Bread Factory (Part 1)[35] | Jason | |
| A Bread Factory (Part 2)[36] | |||
| 2019 | Grief | Tom | Short |
| 2023 | Abruptio | Les Hackel | [37] |
| 2024 | Isla Monstro | Reggie | Voice[38][39] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992–1993 | Northern Exposure | Bellhop, Rev. Harding | 2 episodes |
| 1995 | Medicine Ball | Mickey Collins | Episode: "Heart and Sole" |
| 1997 | Moloney | Billy O'Hara | Episode: "Herniated Nick" |
| 1997–2003 | Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Spike | Recurring role (seasons 2–3); main role (seasons 4–7) |
| 1999–2004 | Angel | Guest role (seasons 1–2); main role (season 5) | |
| 1999 | Millennium | Eric Swan | Episode: "Collateral Damage" |
| 2001 | The Enforcers | Charles Haysbert | Miniseries |
| Strange Frequency | Mitch Brand | Segment: "Soul Man" | |
| Andromeda | Charlemagne Bolivar | Episode: "Into the Labyrinth" | |
| 2003 | Spider-Man: The New Animated Series | Sergei | Voice, 2 episodes |
| 2004 | The Mountain | Ted Tunney | Episode: "A Piece of the Rock" |
| 2005 | Cool Money | Bobby Comfort | Television film |
| 2005–2010 | Smallville | Dr. Milton Fine,Brainiac,Brainiac 5 | Recurring role |
| 2007–2008 | Without a Trace | Detective Mars | 4 episodes |
| 2007 | Saving Grace | Dudley Payne | Episode: "Bring It On, Earl" |
| 2008 | Torchwood | Captain John Hart | 3 episodes |
| The Capture of the Green River Killer | Ted Bundy | Miniseries | |
| Star Wars: The Clone Wars | Capt. Faro Argyus | Voice, episode: "Cloak of Darkness" | |
| 2009 | Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11 | Buzz Aldrin | Television film |
| High Plains Invaders | Sam Denville | Television film | |
| Numb3rs | Damien Lake | Episode: "Guilt Trip" | |
| The Super Hero Squad Show | Mister Fantastic | Voice, 5 episodes | |
| Lie to Me | Pollack | Episode: "Truth or Consequences" | |
| 2010 | Caprica | Barnabas Greeley | 4 episodes |
| 2010–2020 | Hawaii Five–0 | Victor Hesse | 5 episodes |
| 2011 | Supernatural | Don Stark | Episode: "Shut Up, Dr. Phil" |
| Three Inches | Troy Hamilton | Episode: "Pilot" | |
| 2012–2014 | Metal Hurlant Chronicles | Brad Davis, Doc Rowan | 2 episodes |
| 2013 | Wedding Band | Declan Horn | Episode: "Personal Universe" |
| Warehouse 13 | Prof. Bennett Sutton | 3 episodes | |
| Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated | Dandy Highwayman, Librarian, Man | Voice, episode: "Stand and Deliver" | |
| Ultimate Spider-Man | Korvac,Chitauri #3 | Voice, episode: "Guardians of the Galaxy" | |
| 2014 | Witches of East End | Tarkoff | 7 episodes |
| 2015 | The Devil You Know | Rev. George Burroughs | Pilot |
| 2017–2019 | Runaways | Victor Stein / Jonah / Magistrate | Series regular |
| 2018 | Dragon Ball Super | Zamasu | English dub; credited as David Gray |
| 2020 | The Order | Xavier | Episodes "The Common" Part 1 & 2 |
| DuckTales | Nosferatu | Voice, episode: "The Trickening!" | |
| 2021 | Leverage: Redemption | Carl Bishop | Episode: "The Golf Job" |
| 2023–present | Curses! | Larry | Voice; series regular |
| 2023 | Casa Grande[40] | Miller Dalton | 3-episodes |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Spike | |
| 2003 | Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds | ||
| 2009 | Real Heroes: Firefighter | Louis "Match" Morris | |
| 2010 | DC Universe Online | Lex Luthor | |
| 2017 | Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 | Zamasu | Credited as David Gray |
| 2018 | Dragon Ball FighterZ | Credited as Sam Majesters | |
| 2020 | Dragonball Legends | ||
| 2024 | Dragon Ball: The Breakers | ||
| Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero | Credited as David Gray |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Torchwood: Monthly Range | Episode:"The Death of Captain Jack" | Captain John Hart | |
| 2020 | Torchwood: The Sins of Captain John | |||
| 2024 | Dark Gallifrey: The War Master | Episodes:"Part 2" &"Part 3" | ||
| Year | No. | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 | Storm Front |
| 2003 | 2 | Fool Moon |
| 2005 | 3 | Grave Peril |
| 2007 | 4 | Summer Knight |
| 2009 | 5 | Death Masks |
| 2010 | 6 | Blood Rites |
| 2010 | 7 | Dead Beat |
| 2009 | 8 | Proven Guilty |
| 2009 | 9 | White Night |
| 2008 | 10 | Small Favor |
| 2009 | 11 | Turn Coat |
| 2010 | 12 | Changes |
| 2010 | 12.5 | Side Jobs |
| 2015 | 13 | Ghost Story |
| 2012 | 14 | Cold Days |
| 2014 | 15 | Skin Game |
| 2015 | 15.5 | Working for Bigfoot |
| 2018 | 15.75 | Brief Cases |
| 2020 | 16 | Peace Talks |
| 2020 | 17 | Battle Ground |
| Year | No. | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 2 | The Lord of Shadows[41] |
| 2018 | 3 | The Queen of Air and Darkness[42] |
| Year | No. | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 | The Greyfriar[43] |
| 2013 | 2 | The Rift Walker[44] |
| 2014 | 3 | The Kingmakers[45] |
| Year | No. | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 | The Carnival of Secrets[46][47] |
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV: Sidekick | Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Nominated |
| 2000 | Saturn Awards | Best Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Series | Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Nominated |
| 2001 | Saturn Awards | Best Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Series | Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Won |
| 2002 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV: Actor | Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Nominated |
| 2002 | Saturn Awards | Cinescape Genre Face of the Future Award | Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Won |
| 2002 | Saturn Awards | Best Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Series | Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Nominated |
| 2002 | SFX Awards | Best Comedy Performance | Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Won |
| 2002 | SFX Awards | Best TV Actor | Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Won |
| 2003 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV: Actor | Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Nominated |
| 2003 | Saturn Awards | Best Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Series | Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Won |
| 2003 | Golden Satellite Awards | Best Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Series | Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Nominated |
| 2004 | Saturn Awards | Best Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Series | Angel /Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Nominated |
| 2004 | Spacey Awards | Favourite TV Character—Male | Spike inAngel | Won |
| 2005 | Saturn Awards | Best Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Series | Angel | Nominated |
| 2011 | S.E.T. Awards | The Documentary S.E.T. Award | Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11 | Won |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| People | |
| Other | |
