Mimi McCoy

James Keach, born December 7, 1947, is an American actor and filmmaker with a background in classical theater. He received his education from Northwestern University and Yale School of Drama, training as a Shakespearean actor. Keach is the younger brother of actor Stacy Keach and the son of actor and drama coach Walter Stacy Keach Sr. He has had a notable career as a producer and director, as well as an actor.

His acting credits include portraying Jesse James in the 1980 film 'The Long Riders,' which he also co-wrote and produced. His involvement in this film led to a friendship with Johnny Cash and subsequent involvement in the development of 'Walk the Line.' Keach has also appeared in supporting roles in films such as 'National Lampoon's Vacation' and 'The Razor's Edge.' As a director, he helmed the TV series and film 'Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman,' starring his then-wife Jane Seymour. He also directed the documentary 'Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me' and won a Grammy Award as a producer for 'Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice.' He received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2010.

Born James Peckham Keach in Savannah, Georgia, he is the son of actress Mary Cain (née Peckham) and Walter Stacy Keach Sr., who was a drama coach, actor, writer, and producer. His older brother, Stacy Keach, is also an actor. James Keach pursued higher education, earning his undergraduate degree from Northwestern University in 1970. He furthered his studies at the Yale School of Drama, where he obtained an M.F.A. His training included classical Shakespearean acting.

While recognized for his work as a producer and director, James Keach also established himself as an actor. His most famous role was Jesse James in the 1980 film 'The Long Riders,' a project he also contributed to as a writer and producer. This role led to a close friendship with Johnny Cash, who, along with June Carter, enlisted Keach's help in developing 'Walk the Line.' Keach has appeared in various supporting film roles, including in 'National Lampoon's Vacation,' 'The Razor's Edge,' and 'Wildcats.' He also took a leading role in the 1985 comedy 'Moving Violations.'

In television, Keach directed the popular series 'Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman' and its subsequent film, both starring his wife Jane Seymour. His directorial work extends to other episodic television. More recently, he directed and produced films like 'Waiting for Forever' and 'Blind Dating.' He directed the documentary 'Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me,' chronicling the singer's experience with Alzheimer's disease. In 2014, this documentary was released, and in 2021, Keach received a Grammy Award as a producer for 'Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice.'

James Keach was first married to Holly Collins, with whom he had a son, Kalen Keach. Following the dissolution of that marriage, he married Mimi Maynard, a union that concluded in 1993. In 1993, he married actress Jane Seymour. Together, they had twin sons, John Stacy and Kristopher Steven, born in 1995, named in honor of friends Johnny Cash, Christopher Reeve, and his brother, Stacy Keach. In 2007, both Keach and Seymour became patrons for Meningitis UK. The couple announced their separation in April 2013, with their divorce finalized in December 2015. In 2024, Keach married Nancy Falkin Lynn. For his contributions, Keach was honored with the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2010.