James McEachin
Biography
James McEachin was an American actor, author, and veteran of the Korean War. Born on May 20, 1930, in Rennert, North Carolina, he joined the United States Armed Forces at the age of eighteen and served in the Korean War, earning medals of valor including the Purple Heart and the Silver Star. Following his military service, he worked as a policeman and a fireman before relocating to California to become a record producer. After working in the music industry, McEachin transitioned into acting and appeared in various films and television shows, including projects known as Horký vítr z jihu, All in the Family, and Elvis. He also spent time away from acting to become an author and maker of audio books. In 2005, he was appointed as a United States Army Reserve Ambassador. He passed away on January 11, 2025.
Career overview
James McEachin was born on May 20, 1930 in Rennert, North Carolina. After serving in the Korean War and later working as a policeman and fireman, he moved to California where he entered the entertainment industry. McEachin began a long‑standing acting career that spanned several decades, accumulating 89 credited appearances in film and television, according to the Motion Picture Database. He is noted for roles in productions such as “All in the Family,” the Czech‑titled film “Horký vítr z jihu,” and a portrayal connected to “Elvis.” His work encompassed a variety of genres and formats, establishing him as a recognizable character actor in American screen media.
Beyond his on‑screen performances, McEachin pursued writing and the production of audio books, earning recognition as an author later in life. In 2005 he was appointed a United States Army Reserve Ambassador, a role that reflected his continued engagement with the veteran community. He remained active in speaking engagements for soldiers and veterans until his death on January 11, 2025. Throughout his career, McEachin’s contributions to film and television were complemented by his dedication to public service and storytelling.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
100 titles- First Monday (2002) as Jerome Morris
- Perry Mason: The Case of the Jealous Jokester (1995) as Lt. Ed Brock
- Perry Mason: The Case of the Lethal Lifestyle (1994) as Lt. Ed Brock
- Double Exposure (1994) as Detective Becker
- Diagnosis: Murder (1993) as Lewis Lomax
- Sworn to Vengeance (1993)
- Perry Mason: The Case of the Skin-Deep Scandal (1993) as Lt. Ed Brock
- Perry Mason: The Case of the Killer Kiss (1993) as Lt. Ed Brock
- Perry Mason: The Case of the Telltale Talk Show Host (1993) as Lt. Ed Brock
- Perry Mason: The Case of the Wicked Wives (1993) as Lt. Ed Brock
- Perry Mason: The Case of the Fatal Framing (1992) as Lt. Ed Brock
- Perry Mason: The Case of the Reckless Romeo (1992) as Lt. Ed Brock
- Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride (1992) as Lt. Ed Brock
- Perry Mason: The Case of the Glass Coffin (1991) as Lt. Ed Brock
- Perry Mason: The Case of the Ruthless Reporter (1991) as Lt. Ed Brock
- UFO Cafe (1990) as Frank
- Max Monroe: Loose Cannon (1990) as Sam Frank
- Perry Mason: The Case of the Silenced Singer (1990) as Lt. Ed Brock
- Perry Mason: The Case of the Poisoned Pen (1990) as Lt. Brock
- Snoops (1989) as Del Morris
- Perry Mason: The Case of the Musical Murder (1989) as Lt Ed Brock
- Perry Mason: The Case of the All-Star Assassin (1989) as Lt. Ed Brock
- Perry Mason: The Case of the Avenging Ace (1988) as Police Sergeant Clifford Brock
- Perry Mason: The Case of the Scandalous Scoundrel (1987) as Harry Forbes
- Matlock (1986) as Frank Daniels
- Matlock (1986) as Hollis Greeley
- Perry Mason: The Case of the Notorious Nun (1986) as Lt. Ed Brock
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Grover Dillon
- Hunter (1984) as Frank Garriman
- Crazy like a Fox (1984) as Brigga
- 2010 (1984) as Victor Milson
- Allison Sydney Harrison (1983) as Lt. Jesse Herman
- St. Elsewhere (1982) as Harris Jeffries
- T. J. Hooker (1982) as Lt. Franks
- Honeyboy (1982) as Nate Walker
- Hill Street Blues (1981) as Reggie Hill
- Gridlock (1980) as Speed-O
- Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979) as Richard Selvan
- Lawman Without a Gun (1979) as Harris McIntyre
- Samurai (1979) as Richardson
- Every Which Way but Loose (1978) as Herb
- Quincy, M.E. (1976) as Dr. Maxwell
- The Invisible Man (1975) as Leland McCallister / James Smith
- The Dead Don't Die (1975) as Frankie Specht
- The Rockford Files (1974) as FBI Agent David Shore
- The Six Million Dollar Man (1974) as Garth
- The Six Million Dollar Man (1974) as Major Cromwell
- Harry O (1974) as Teaser Strock
- Petrocelli (1974) as Dr. Herb Shoate
- Christina (1974) as Donovan
- Tenafly (1973) as Harry Tenafly
- The Alpha Caper (1973) as Scat
- Emergency! (1972) as Lt. Crockett
- Buck and the Preacher (1972) as Kingston
- The Groundstar Conspiracy (1972) as Bender
- Fuzz (1972) as Det. Arthur Brown
- The Judge and Jake Wyler (1972) as Quint
- Welcome Home, Johnny Bristol (1972) as Loughton
- That Certain Summer (1972) as Mr. Early, the Conductor
- Short Walk to Daylight (1972) as Ed
- Columbo (1971) as Walter Mearhead
- Columbo (1971) as Billy Jones
- All in the Family (1971) as Mr. Turner
- Play Misty for Me (1971) as Al Monte
- Crosscurrent (1971) as Don Cope
- The D.A.: Conspiracy to Kill (1971) as Eddie Jewell
- O'Hara, United States Treasury: Operation Cobra (1971) as Timothy
- The Neon Ceiling (1971) as Highway Patrolman
- The Bold Ones: The Senator (1970) as Hamilton
- The Brotherhood of the Bell (1970) as Police Detective
- The Lawyer (1970) as Striker
- True Grit (1969) as Judge Parker's Bailiff (uncredited)
- Then Came Bronson (1969) as Spud
- Hello, Dolly! (1969) as Laborer (uncredited)
- The Undefeated (1969) as Jimmy Collins
- Deadlock (1969) as Noah
- Adam-12 (1968) as Dewey Randolph
- Adam-12 (1968) as Patrolman
- Adam-12 (1968) as Officer Wood
- Adam-12 (1968) as Lt. Moore
- Adam-12 (1968) as Freddy Rivers
- Adam-12 (1968) as Rivers
- The Name of the Game (1968) as Henderson
- The Name of the Game (1968) as Jackson
- The Name of the Game (1968) as Stuart
- It Takes a Thief (1968) as Gate Guard
- It Takes a Thief (1968) as Earl Danton
- Coogan's Bluff (1968) as Man (uncredited)
- The Legend of Lylah Clare (1968) as Reporter (uncredited)
- Uptight (1968) as Mello
- Where Were You When the Lights Went Out? (1968) as Policeman (uncredited)
- If He Hollers, Let Him Go! (1968) as Defense Counsel
- Ironside (1967) as Luther
- Ironside (1967) as Jerry Maxon
- Mannix (1967) as Benjy (uncredited)
- Dragnet (1967) as Off. Tim Miles
- Dragnet (1967) as 2nd Officer
- Cowboy in Africa (1967) as Dr. Lee Matsis
- The Black Klansman (1966) as Lonnie
- The Wild Wild West (1965) as Agent #2
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is James McEachin best known for?
James McEachin is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Last Call: When a Serial Killer Stalked Queer New York (2023), Mr. Jones (1993), Catch-22 (1970), Amsterdamned (1988).
When and where was James McEachin born?
James McEachin was born on May 20, 1930 in Rennert, North Carolina, USA.
How many credits does James McEachin have?
James McEachin has accumulated over 100 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1965 to 2002.
What is James McEachin's background in cinema and television?
James McEachin was an American actor, author, and veteran of the Korean War. Born on May 20, 1930, in Rennert, North Carolina, he joined the United States Armed Forces at the age of eighteen and served in the Korean War, earning medals of valor including the Purple Heart and the Silver Star. Following his military serv...
James McEachin by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Columbo (1971) as Walter Mearhead — aged about 41
- Columbo (1971) as Billy Jones — aged about 41
- Emergency! (1972) as Lt. Crockett — aged about 42
- All in the Family (1971) as Mr. Turner — aged about 41
- Hill Street Blues (1981) as Reggie Hill — aged about 51
- The Rockford Files (1974) as FBI Agent David Shore — aged about 44
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