James Stacy was an American actor who is best known for his roles in Lancer, Just a Little Inconvenience, and Posse. Born Maurice William Elias on December 23, 1936, in Los Angeles, California, he had a diverse career in both film and television.
Personal and Family Life
James Stacy was born to Louis Nicholson Elias, a Lebanese immigrant, and Lois Marie Naylor Dugan, an American with Irish-Scottish roots. He had five siblings and grew up in a supportive family. Throughout his life, he was married twice, first to actress Connie Stevens and later to Kim Darby, with whom he had a daughter named Heather Elias.
Career Highlights
Stacy initially aimed to pursue a career in football but shifted to acting after trying workshops. He began his acting journey in 1957 with a small part in Sayonara. His breakthrough came in 1968 with the TV series Lancer, where he played a young gunfighter. He faced a major setback in 1973 when he lost a leg and an arm in a motorcycle accident, but he made a remarkable comeback, acting in various films and receiving two Emmy nominations.
Death and Legacy
James Stacy passed away on September 9, 2016, in Ventura, California, due to anaphylactic shock. Despite his struggles in life, including legal troubles and health issues, he is remembered for his resilience and contributions to the entertainment industry. His story continues to inspire many, and he was portrayed by Timothy Olyphant in Quentin Tarantino’s film Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Double Exposure | 1982-09-03 | B.J. Wilde |
| Winter A-Go-Go | 1965-10-28 | Danny Frazer |
| Flareup | 1969-11-10 | Joe |
| Like Father, Like Son | 1965-08-01 | Art |
| Matters of the Heart | 1990-12-26 | Glenn Harper |
| Summer Magic | 1963-07-07 | Charles Bryant |
| Just a Little Inconvenience | 1977-10-02 | Kenny Briggs |
| Paper Man | 1971-11-12 | Jerry |
| A Swingin’ Summer | 1965-04-01 | Mickey James |
| Something Wicked This Way Comes | 1983-04-29 | Ed the Bartender |
| Ordeal | 1973-10-30 | Andy Folsom |
| South Pacific | 1958-03-18 | Sailor / Seabee |
| Posse | 1975-06-04 | Harold Hellman |
| Heat of Anger | 1972-03-03 | Gus Pride |
| F/X2 | 1991-04-16 | Cyborg |
| Sayonara | 1957-12-25 | Reporter (uncredited) |
| My Kidnapper, My Love | 1980-12-08 | Denny |
| Los Angeles Plays Itself | 2004-07-28 | Joe Brodnek in Flareup (archive footage) |
| The Decorator | 1965-06-09 | Jim |
| El juicio | 1968-01-04 | Joe Bravo |
| Gunsmoke | 1955-09-10 | George |
| Perry Mason | 1957-09-21 | Scott Everett |
| Wiseguy | 1987-09-16 | Ed Rogosheske |
| Lancer | 1968-09-24 | |
| The Streets of San Francisco | 1972-09-23 | |
| Hotel | 1982-08-21 | |
| E! True Hollywood Story | 1996-08-21 | |
| Medical Center | 1969-09-24 | |
| Combat! | 1962-10-02 | Farley |
| Mister Roberts | 1965-09-17 | |
| The Monroes | 1966-09-07 | |
| The Donna Reed Show | 1958-09-24 | |
| Have Gun, Will Travel | 1957-09-14 | |
| Cimarron Strip | 1967-09-07 | |
| Insight | 1960-10-02 | |
| Summer Fun | 1966-07-22 | |
| Perry Mason | 1957-09-21 | Barry Conrad |
| Gunsmoke | 1955-09-10 | Bob Johnson |
| Gunsmoke | 1955-09-10 | Yankton |
| Gunsmoke | 1955-09-10 | J.J. Honegger |
| A.P.O. 923 | 1962-12-31 | Lt. James T. Irvine |