"One would be in the rain-forest studying insects. One would be a swimmer, another would be playing the piano," James says. "I was never the type of person to be interested in one thing. I did a little of everything."

Since it's not his ideal world, James - after jumping from one major to another in college - chose to act.

"I majored in computer science, then economics and Japanese, and then finally decided on film and video studies," says James, the son of Betty Humphrey of Richlands and Jesse Humphrey, who now lives in Ohio.

He is currently co-starring in the Miramax comedy "Hav Plenty." The movie, written, directed, edited by, and starring Chris Cherot, is the story of one man's quest to get his life together.

"It's a true story. It's about a slacker writer - that's Chris," James says laughing. "He's in love with this materialistic career woman named Havilland. She doesn't really think that he has anything to offer her, but on New Year's Eve she invites him down to stay with her."

The plot thickens when the women who have come to celebrate New Year's with Havilland find Chris's character, Lee Plenty, to be utterly irresistible, James says.

"I play Felix Darling, the husband of one of the women that find him desirable. My character is this real serious, career-track driven type, while my wife is like a free spirit," James said.

The Miramax film opened June 19 with a limited release, but the picture was actually made two years ago.

"It's a really good film," James said. "I talked to the folks at Miramax. We discussed how this film is larger than a black audience. I don't know what happened, or why, but it didn't get nearly as much exposure as it should have."

James thinks that part of the reason some viewers might be turned off by the film is because of the music used in the trailer.

"In our movie, the soundtrack is R&B, but in the trailer, they were playing this hip-hop edge. That's going to alienate some possible audience members," James says. Even though James thinks that Miramax didn't treat the film correctly, he has no bitterness toward Hollywood.

"It's just that I'm a realist. I understand the whats and whys of the industry. People are going to watch out for their own interests. They're scared to take risks. That's why rehashes like the 'Flintstones' and 'Lost in Space' are made."

"I just think that somebody has to be a pioneer and take risks," James says. "I haven't been kicked around. I don't have a negative view of Hollywood. I have a realistic view of people's places and lifestyles. When you become successful, you often become complacent."

He thinks that one of the most innovative directors currently working is John Sayles, director of "Lone Star."

"He's one of those guys that does the films his way and doesn't worry about the big studios. It's always nice to see someone that says "screw it," James said.

Regarding his personal life, James says that one of the best times he had was taking his mother and his wife Kathryn to the premiere of "Hav Plenty."

"My mom was so excited to see Starr Jones at the premiere. She loves Starr," James says. "The grand plan is to be able to enjoy the climb together. Your focus should change when you have kids, and right now I like being able to enjoy everything with my wife."

Even though he has begun his rise to stardom through "Hav Plenty," his first feature film, he remembers his roots. "I was always a performer," James said. "I did sports, I got good grades, I played the piano, I did a lot of different things."

In fact, while living with his mother in Burlington, James was accepted into the North Carolina School of Science and Math. "A teacher of mine couldn't believe that I was going to school for computers. She was sure that I would be back to North Carolina to study entomology at N.C. State," James says. "I never came back, though."

James was a finalist in a NASA competition his senior year. It was the same year that the space shuttle Challenger exploded and the space program was riveted.

"The geek in me is still here," James says. "I did a radio interview, and afterwards my wife said, 'You talk a lot.' All I could say was, 'I've been waiting my whole life to be quoted."

Information and banner courtesy of  Max Magazine.