Fairfax, Virginia, U.S.James Clayton Holzier (born August 11, 1981) is an American actor, singer, author, and filmmaker, best known for his role as Kyle in Dreams in the Attic.
Biography[]
James Clayton Holzier was born on August 11, 1981, in Fairfax, Virginia, to Jim and Christine Holzier, as the youngest of three siblings, with two older sisters named Carye and Kristi. His birth was a remarkable event — arriving three months early and weighing less than two pounds, it was highly unusual, and his survival was considered a miracle. The first few months and years of James' life were spent frequently in and out of the hospital. When James was four years old, his family moved to Houston, Texas, eventually settling in the Clear Lake area.
As a child, James appeared in over 20 commercials and participated in talent shows. In one memorable contest, he performed in front of thousands of people, competing against much older participants, and placed in the top five, all at just nine years old. During his school years, James discovered his passion for acting, balancing his interests in both sports and academics. "I just loved it, and my parents thought I would grow out of it, but you can't grow out of what you love," James recalls. In 8th grade, he landed his first lead role in a 1994 movie called Willy the Hitman. In school, he was voted "Most Friendliest" and "Best All Around."
During his freshman year at Clear Lake High School, James played basketball and ran track, but after tearing a ligament in his ankle, he was sidelined from sports. This injury turned out to be a pivotal moment, as he decided to audition for the school play instead. His talent earned him a lead role in the school's biggest play of the year, making him one of the first freshmen ever to achieve that honor. "I remember the seniors were pretty excited, and there was this scene where I have to act drunk, which was funny, because I had never even drank before," he recalls. While still in high school, James managed to land parts in several feature films, although balancing school and acting was a challenge.
At one point, James was advised to leave public school and move to California to be tutored on film sets, but he declined, not wanting to miss out on the high school experience. His parents, Jim and Christine, were also against the idea. Like many actors, James worked odd jobs between projects, including as a lifeguard.
After graduating from Clear Lake High School, James received a scholarship to one of the top colleges for film and drama. Immediately after graduation, he landed a lead role in the movie Dreams in the Attic alongside actress and singer Haylie Duff, which was a major breakthrough for him. Reflecting on his success, James mentioned, "I almost didn't even go to the audition. My agent was against it. The role called for a nerdy person who, through a dear friend, becomes self-confident. I had this feeling about it in my gut. So, I went, and I got the part. If I hadn't listened to my instincts, I wouldn't have met certain people who mean so much to me today."
James' talent has drawn comparisons to legends like James Dean, Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise, and Jimmy Stewart. Heath Ledger had praised James at some point, saying, "He has this great presence, and yet has no pretensions. We act like four-year-olds... it's fun." James is recognized for being down-to-earth, staying true to his roots, and having a refreshing genuineness that sets him apart. His captivating ability to express emotion through his eyes, and his unique looks have marked him as a standout talent amongst millions of people worldwide to this day.
Filmography[]
- Willy the Hitman (1994)
- Dreams in the Attic (2000)
- Live For Us (2010)
- Playing The Card (2010)
Gallery[]
Quotes[]
Trivia[]
External links[]
James Holzier at the Internet Movie Database- James Holzier on Facebook
- James Holzier on Twitter