James Luisi was an American actor best known for his roles in “The Rockford Files,” “Kojak,” and “Days of Our Lives.” He made a significant impact on television during the 1970s and 1980s as a reliable tough-guy character.
Personal and Family Life
James Luisi was born on November 11, 1928, in New York City. He married Georgia Ann Phillips in 1961, and they had one daughter named Jamie Ann, born on November 4, 1964. Luisi attended St. Francis College on a basketball scholarship and later played professional basketball for the Baltimore Bullets. He served in the US Army during the Korean War, which added to his strong and athletic persona.
Career Highlights
Luisi’s acting career began on stage, with early performances in Broadway musicals like “Sweet Charity” and “Zorba.” He became well-known for his roles in various TV shows, portraying tough characters in dramas. His notable performances include a shared Daytime Emmy for “First Ladies Diaries: Martha Washington” and his recurring role as Lt. Chapman in “The Rockford Files.” He continued acting on television and occasionally returned to stage work until the 1990s.
Death and Legacy
James Luisi passed away on June 7, 2002, in Los Angeles, California, after a battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Georgia, and their daughter, Jamie. Luisi is remembered for his strong presence in television and his contributions to the genre.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Star 80 | 1983-11-10 | Roy |
| The Hidden | 1987-10-30 | Ferrari Salesman |
| Murphy’s Law | 1986-04-18 | Ed Reineke |
| Fade to Black | 1980-10-14 | Capt. M.L. Gallagher |
| Killer’s Delight | 1978-04-28 | Sgt. Vince De Carlo |
| I Escaped from Devil’s Island | 1973-09-01 | Dazzas |
| Moment by Moment | 1978-12-22 | Dan Santini |
| Contract on Cherry Street | 1977-11-19 | Al Palmini / Arnold Palmer |
| One in a Million: The Ron LeFlore Story | 1978-09-26 | Jimmy Karalla |
| The Take | 1974-05-01 | Benedetto |
| Norma Rae | 1979-03-02 | George Benson |
| The Rockford Files | 1974-09-13 | Lt. Doug Chapman |
| Days of Our Lives | 1965 | Character |
| Another World | 1964 | Character |