Steve James was often cast in action movies as the hero's sidekick, despite usually being a better actor and fighter than the star. James was raised in New York City, attended C.W. Post College as an Arts and Film major, and upon graduating, became involved in stage work and TV commercials. He started in film as a stuntman, working in such New York productions as Ghostbusters, The Wiz, The Warriors, and The Wanderers. His first major film role was as Robert Ginty's sidekick in The Exterminator; he later played sidekick to such stars as Michael Dudikoff (3 times), David Carradine, and Chuck Norris. His last 2 films were the pilot for the TV series "M.A.N.T.I.S." which aired on the Fox network just a few weeks after his death at age 41 of pancreatic cancer and "Bloodfist V: Human Target" with Don "The Dragon" Wilson which premiered after Steve's death.ames's uncle was James E. Wall. Eulogies at James's memorial were delivered by the legendary Sidney Poitier (for whom Steve's wife worked), his father Hubie James, his wife Christine Pan James, and his best friend John A. Gallagher...and by fellow martial arts-actor Michael Dudikoff, with whom James co-starred in "Avenging Force" and the "American Ninja" series, and who also served as one of Steve's pallbearers. Steve began his love for the arts as a child, playing all of the roles of films his godfather Joe Seneca took him to. Worked as both a performer and manager at Manhattan's South Street Seaport Theater after graduating from college. He had a daughter, Debbi James, with his ex-wife, Nava. He met her while filming The Delta Force (1986). Practiced fu jow pai (tiger claw) kung fu. Attended Power Memorial High School and C. W. Post College, both in New York. Was a film buff and loved the Three Stooges, Sergio Leone, Karloff and Lugosi, Kurosawa, Ford, Scorsese, Coppola, James Bond, and Hong Kong cinema.I don't like getting beat up much in films, but Jackie [Chan] could beat me up anytime. My first influence was Bruce Lee, and then I saw Jackie afterwards, and it was entirely different. When people ask me who I think is the best action star, I don't say Stallone, I don't say Schwarzenegger, I say Jackie. He's my influence, I learn from him, that's why I'm here.