James Spader
Boston-born actor James Spader has returned to his roots by being a star on "Boston Legal."
Spader, whose roles are known for stirring up drama, plays a racy lawyer, opposite William Shatner, who isn't afraid to speak his mind.
The role is nothing new for Spader, 47, who mastered his portrayal of lawyer Alan Shore in ABC's "The Practice," the predecessor to "Boston Legal," and won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series. In 2005, he won a second Emmy for portraying Shore on "Boston Legal."
Spader started his acting career when he dropped out of school in 11th grade and moved to New York.
In his younger years, he starred in "Pretty In Pink." He has also appeared in John Herzfeld's "2 Days in the Valley," opposite Charlize Theron; the smash hit "Stargate," with Kurt Russell; Mike Nichols' "Wolf," with Jack Nicholson and Michelle Pfeiffer; Luis Mandoki's "White Palace," opposite Susan Sarandon; "The Music of Chance," with Mandy Patinkin; Tim Robbins' political satire "Bob Roberts; True Colors; Bad Influence;" and Steven Soderbergh's "Sex, Lies, and Videotape," for which he won the Best Actor Award at The Cannes Film Festival in 1989.
Photos: James Spader
In October 2006, Spader changed things up by serving as the narrator for "China Revealed" the first episode of Discovery Channel's documentary series "Discovery Atlas."
Spader married decorator Victoria Khell in 1987, but the couple divorced in 2004. They had two sons, Sebastian and Elijah.