James MacDonald

Biography

James G. MacDonald is an American actor and director known for his extensive work in film, television, and theater spanning over 35 years. He notably portrayed Captain James Wainwright in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "Little Green Men." MacDonald has appeared alongside many high-profile actors and worked with acclaimed directors across diverse genres including comedy, drama, thriller, horror, and science fiction. His versatile roles range from a naive young captain in Star Trek to parts in films like Volcano and Tigerland. He has also received awards for his work in theater and filmmaking. Beyond acting, MacDonald writes and directs, and he is active in teaching writing and acting workshops to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals. His career is marked by both character-driven performances and creative contributions behind the scenes.

Known For

The Rookie

NCIS

NCIS

The Mentalist

Criminal Minds

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

Chicago Fire

All Movies (26)

• Single and Ready to Jingle2022 · as Greg Polansky
• Little Boy2015 · as Recruitment Sergeant
• Montana Amazon2013 · as Heirik
• Texas Chainsaw 3D2013 · as Officer Marvin
• Fissure2011 · as Paul Grunning
• The Kids Are All Right2010 · as Clay's Dad
• Home of the Brave2006 · as Ray
• Hollywood Homicide2003 · as Danny Broome
• Phone Booth2003 · as Negotiator
• Hostage2002 · as SWAT Team Commander
• Joy Ride2001 · as Local in Nebraska Bar
• Tigerland2000 · as Staff Sgt. Thomas
• Space Cowboys2000 · as Capcom
• Perfect Murder, Perfect Town: JonBenét and the City of Boulder2000 · as Det. Mark Beckner
• Sour Grapes1998 · as Detective Frehill
• Mercury Rising1998 · as SWAT Team Leader Francis
• Volcano1997 · as Terry Jasper
• Turbulence1997 · as 1st Officer Ted Kary
• The Fan1996 · as Sick Sean's Dad
• Blackout1996 · as Mechanic
• The Birdcage1996 · as Crewman (Uncredited)
• Broken Arrow1996 · as Park Ranger Baker
• Eye of the Stalker1995 · as Gerry
• Malcolm X1992 · as Lieutenant
• NYPD Mounted1991
• Two Evil Eyes1990

All TV Shows (43)

• Ballard2025 · as Naylin
• The Winchesters2022 · as Jimmy Mixon
• All Rise2019 · as Ken Maples
• The Rookie2018 · as FBI Driving Instructor
• Sweet/Vicious2016 · as Officer Ballard
• Crisis2014 · as Skip
• Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.2013 · as Agent Jacobson
• Chicago Fire2012 · as ADC Adam Perry
• Vegas2012 · as George Blanchford
• Major Crimes2012 · as Lt. Reed
• Longmire2012 · as Randolph Hale
• Scandal2012 · as Interrogator
• Love Bites2011 · as James Feeney
• NCIS: Los Angeles2009 · as DEA Special Agent John Ness
• Castle2009 · as Benjamin Wade
• Lie to Me2009 · as Detective Riley
• The Mentalist2008 · as Sgt. Bigley
• In Plain Sight2008 · as Peter O'Dell
• Vanished2006 · as Man chasing Sara
• The Unit2006 · as Willis Meeks
• Commander in Chief2005 · as Agent Bennett
• Criminal Minds2005 · as Det. Dennison
• Weeds2005 · as 2nd Cop
• NCIS2003 · as Captain Faul
• NCIS2003 · as Admiral Norton Padgett
• Peacemakers2003 · as Caleb McGinty
• Without a Trace2002 · as Kevin
• CSI: Miami2002 · as Dan Becks
• 242001 · as Officer
• The Division2001 · as Bob Jenkins
• CSI: Crime Scene Investigation2000 · as Kenneth Ward
• CSI: Crime Scene Investigation2000 · as John Ruark
• Fantasy Island1998 · as Rex Raskin
• Sex and the City1998 · as Garth
• The Magnificent Seven1998 · as Will Richmond
• Brooklyn South1997 · as Marshal Bovier
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer1997 · as Detective Stein
• Pacific Blue1996 · as Eitner
• Jake and The Kid1995 · as Louis
• JAG1995 · as Walt Rockwell
• Touched by an Angel1994 · as Gary McGregor
• ER1994 · as Gary McWayne
• Star Trek: Deep Space Nine1993 · as Captain James Wainwright