James Farentino was one of those guys who seemed to be everywhere if you grew up watching TV in the 70s and 80s. He had that classic, brooding leading-man look—dark hair, intense eyes, and a voice that could go from smooth to sandpaper in a second. Honestly, he was one of the last true contract players at Universal Studios. That meant he was basically a utility player for the studio, popping up in everything from westerns to sci-fi epics.
You might remember him as the face of 1970s prestige television, but his career actually started on the Broadway stage. He was even in the original production of The Night of the Iguana. By the time he hit Hollywood, he was a Golden Globe winner for "Most Promising Newcomer." It's funny looking back because while he was a huge star on the small screen, his relationship with the big studios was pretty rocky. He actually got suspended by Universal about ten times because he kept turning down roles he thought were junk. You've gotta respect that kind of stubbornness, even if it probably cost him some A-list movie roles.
The Big Hits: James Farentino Movies and TV Shows That Defined an Era
When people talk about James Farentino movies and TV shows, the conversation usually starts with Jesus of Nazareth. This was a massive event in 1977. Farentino played Simon Peter, and he was incredible. He wasn't just some stiff biblical figure; he played Peter with real, raw humanity. It earned him an Emmy nomination and basically cemented him as a household name.
Then there was The Final Countdown in 1980. If you’re into sci-fi, you know this one. It’s the movie where a modern aircraft carrier gets sucked through a time vortex back to 1941, right before the attack on Pearl Harbor. Farentino played Wing Commander Richard Owens alongside legends like Kirk Douglas and Martin Sheen. It’s a cult classic now, mostly because of that "what if" scenario that still sparks debates among history nerds.
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A Career of Highs and Lows
Farentino's television work was incredibly dense. He wasn't just a guest star; he was often the guy brought in to shake things up.
- Dynasty: He played Dr. Nick Toscanni for a year. He was the classic 80s soap villain/anti-hero, causing chaos for the Carrington family.
- ER: Much later, he played Ray Ross, the estranged father of George Clooney’s character, Doug Ross. It was a brief but powerful arc that showed he still had those acting chops in the 90s.
- The Bold Ones: The Lawyers: This was his big breakout as a series lead. He played Neil Darrell, a young, somewhat rebellious attorney.
- Blue Thunder: He took over the lead role in the TV adaptation of the hit movie. Unfortunately, it got crushed in the ratings by Airwolf, which had a cooler helicopter.
The Cult Side of the Filmography
Beyond the big prestige projects, Farentino did some weird, wonderful stuff. Take Dead & Buried from 1981. It’s a grisly, atmospheric horror movie where he plays a small-town sheriff. It’s become a huge favorite for gore-hounds and fans of 80s practical effects. It’s a far cry from playing an Apostle, but that was the thing about Farentino—the man worked.
He also played Juan Perón in the 1981 TV movie Evita Perón opposite Faye Dunaway. It’s often overshadowed by the Madonna musical version, but Farentino’s performance is actually much more grounded and gritty. He had this way of playing powerful men who were secretly falling apart inside.
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Why His Legacy Is Complicated
It's impossible to talk about his career without mentioning that things got a bit messy off-camera. His personal life often made more headlines than his acting later on. He was married four times, including a high-profile marriage to Michele Lee (who he actually acted with later in the TV movie When No One Would Listen). Then there was the whole stalking scandal involving Tina Sinatra in the 90s. It definitely stalled his career. Producers started seeing him as "difficult," which is a death sentence in Hollywood.
But if you look strictly at the work, the guy was a powerhouse. He appeared in nearly 100 productions. Think about that. From The Alfred Hitchcock Hour in the early 60s to guest spots on Melrose Place, he spanned almost every era of modern television.
Essential Viewing for Fans
If you're looking to dive into his filmography, don't just stick to the famous stuff.
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- Me, Natalie (1969): He plays the romantic interest to Patty Duke. It’s a sweet, weirdly 60s movie that shows his softer side.
- The Pad and How to Use It (1966): This is the one that won him the Golden Globe. He’s a fast-talking "swinger" trying to help his shy friend. It’s a total time capsule.
- Honor Thy Father and Mother: The Menendez Killings (1994): He played Jose Menendez. It’s a chilling performance, especially considering the real-life tragedy was still fresh in everyone's minds back then.
Farentino passed away in 2012 at the age of 73. He never quite became the massive movie star Universal wanted him to be, but he became something arguably more interesting: a reliable, intense, and versatile actor who defined what we think of as "The Golden Age of the Miniseries."
To really appreciate Farentino's range, start by tracking down a copy of The Final Countdown for his blockbuster side, then pivot to Jesus of Nazareth to see the depth that earned him that Emmy nod. Most of his 70s TV movies are available on various retro streaming platforms now, and they're worth a watch just to see a master of the craft work with the limited budgets of the time.