James Naughton
Biography
James Naughton is an American actor and director born on December 6, 1945, in Middletown, Connecticut. He is known for his work in television, film, and theater. On television, he portrayed astronaut Pete Burke in the 1974 single-season series Planet of the Apes. Naughton has also achieved recognition on stage, winning Tony Awards for Best Actor in a Musical in 1990 for City of Angels and again in 1997 for his role as lawyer Billy Flynn in the revival of the musical Chicago. Throughout his career, he has accumulated numerous acting credits across various projects.
Career overview
James Naughton is an American actor and director born on December 6, 1945, in Middletown, Connecticut. He has built an extensive career in acting across television and theater, with a total of ninety-eight known credits listed in his professional profile.
On television, he is best known for portraying astronaut Pete Burke in the 1974 single-season television series Planet of the Apes. His work in the medium spans numerous appearances, contributing to his long-standing presence in the entertainment industry.
Naughton is also a celebrated stage actor, having won two Tony Awards for Best Actor in a Musical. He earned his first Tony Award in 1990 for his work in City of Angels. He won his second Tony Award in 1997 for his portrayal of the lawyer Billy Flynn in the long-running revival of the musical Chicago.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
101 titles- Sit with Me While I Die (2025) as Father Ethan
- Sit with Me While I Die (2025) Executive Co-Producer
- SilverSizzle (2024) as Jamie
- Command Z (2023) as Justice Frank Richardson
- Not the Same Clarence (2023) as Clarence
- Past Prologue (2022) as Robert
- And Just Like That… (2021) as Big's Brother
- Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age (2021) as Self
- Paul Newman, Behind Blue Eyes (2021) as Himself
- The Independents (2021) as Officer Sanders
- Mooseltoe (2021) as Snowball
- Stars in the House (2020) as Self
- The Romanoffs (2018) as Dmitri
- Equity (2016) as John
- Childless (2015) as Harvey
- The Affair (2014) as Rodney Callahan
- Turks & Caicos (2014) as Frank Church
- Golden Boy (2013) as Marvin Drexler
- The Word (2013)
- Creepy Carrots (2013) as Narrator
- Robot Zot! (2011)
- Blue Bloods (2010) as Chief Bell
- Nature Amazing Places Hawaii (2010) as Narrates Program Two
- Warehouse 13 (2009) as Gilbert Radburn
- What Do You Do With A Tail Like This? (2008)
- Gossip Girl (2007) as William van der Bilt
- Damages (2007) as Sam Arsenault
- Suburban Girl (2007) as Robert Eisenberg
- The Devil Wears Prada (2006) as Stephen
- Factory Girl (2006) as Fuzzy Sedgwick
- Hacking Democracy (2006) as Narrator
- Shining Soul: Helen Keller's Spiritual Life and Legacy (2006) as Narrator
- Out of Practice (2005)
- Ernest Hemingway: Rivers to the Sea (2005) as Ernest Hemingway (voice)
- Fascination (2004) as Patrick Doherty
- The Littlest Light on the Christmas Tree (2004) as Tim Wiggins/Narrator
- Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There (2003) as Self
- Our Town (2003) Stage Director
- Our Town (2003) Director
- Henry Builds a Cabin (2003)
- E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial 20th Anniversary Special (2002) as Narrator (voice)
- Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001) as Roger Buckman
- The Truth About Jane (2000) as Robert
- Labor Pains (2000) as Dr. Senior
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Charlie Moss
- Oxygen (1999) as Clark Hannon
- Behind the Planet of the Apes (1998) as Self
- Ally McBeal (1997) as George McBeal
- Liberty! (1997) as Patrick Henry
- The First Wives Club (1996) as Gill Griffin
- First Kid (1996) as President Paul Davenport
- The Proprietor (1996) as Texan
- Without Memory (1996) as Self - Narrator (voice: English version)
- Mixed Blessings (1995) as Brad Coleman
- Cagney & Lacey: Together Again (1995) as James Burton
- The Cosby Mysteries (1994)
- The Birds II: Land's End (1994) as Frank
- Cagney & Lacey: The Return (1994) as James Burton
- Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall (1992) as Self
- Brooklyn Bridge (1991)
- Memorial: Letters from American Soldiers (1991) as Reader
- Law & Order (1990) as Barry Taggert
- Blown Away (1990) as Rick LaSalle
- Broadway's Dreamers: The Legacy of the Group Theatre (1989) as Self
- The Good Mother (1988) as Brian Dunlop
- Raising Miranda (1988)
- Necessity (1988) as Rick LaSalle
- CBS Summer Playhouse (1987) as John Dockery
- The Glass Menagerie (1987) as Jim O'Connor
- Sin of Innocence (1986) as Andy Colleran
- Cat's Eye (1985) as Hugh
- Between the Darkness and the Dawn (1985) as Jack Parrish
- Who's the Boss? (1984)
- Who's the Boss? (1984) as Michael Bower
- Last of the Great Survivors (1984) as Richard Wylie
- Trauma Center (1983) as Michael Royce
- Nature (1982) as Narrator (voice)
- Cagney & Lacey (1982) as Michael Bower
- A Stranger Is Watching (1982) as Steve Peterson
- Making the Grade (1982) as Harry Barnes
- My Body, My Child (1982) as Dr. Dan Berensen
- Parole (1982) as Andy Driscoll
- The Bunker (1981) as James O'Donnell
- Farewell to the Planet of the Apes (1980) as Pete Burke
- Back to the Planet of the Apes (1980) as Pete Burke
- The Forgotten City of the Planet of the Apes (1980) as Peter Burke
- Life, Liberty and Pursuit on the Planet of the Apes (1980) as Pete Burke
- Treachery and Greed on the Planet of the Apes (1980) as Pete Burke
- Diary of the Dead (1976) as George
- Second Wind (1976) as Roger
- Joe Forrester (1975)
- The First 36 Hours of Dr. Durant (1975) as Dr. Baxter
- Planet of the Apes (1974) as Pete Burke
- F. Scott Fitzgerald and the Last of the Belles (1974) as Capt. John Haines
- Antigone (1974) as Haemon
- Faraday and Company (1973) as Steve Faraday
- The Paper Chase (1973) as Kevin Brooks
- Look Homeward, Angel (1972) as Ben Gant
- Great Performances (1971) as Haemon
- Mannix (1967) as Dr. Hanson
- Broadway: The Next Generation as Self
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is James Naughton best known for?
James Naughton is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including And Just Like That… (2021), Stars in the House (2020), The Romanoffs (2018), The Affair (2014).
When and where was James Naughton born?
James Naughton was born on December 6, 1945 in Middletown - Connecticut - USA.
How many credits does James Naughton have?
James Naughton has accumulated over 101 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1967 to 2025.
What is James Naughton's background in cinema and television?
James Naughton is an American actor and director born on December 6, 1945, in Middletown, Connecticut. He is known for his work in television, film, and theater. On television, he portrayed astronaut Pete Burke in the 1974 single-season series Planet of the Apes. Naughton has also achieved recognition on stage, winning...
James Naughton by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Gossip Girl (2007) as William van der Bilt — aged about 61
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Charlie Moss — aged about 53
- Nature (1982) as Narrator (voice) — aged about 36
- Blue Bloods (2010) as Chief Bell — aged about 64
- Liberty! (1997) as Patrick Henry — aged about 51
- Brooklyn Bridge (1991) — aged about 45
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