**Woods, James (1947)**, an American actor renowned for his intensity, sharp, rapid-fire delivery, and ability to portray complex characters, often morally ambiguous or villainous.

A Harvard graduate, Woods has built a film career studded with memorable roles. He received two Academy Award nominations: the first for Best Actor for *The Onion Field* (1979) and the second for Best Supporting Actor for Oliver Stone's *Salvador* (1986), which cemented his reputation as one of the most impactful actors of his generation.

Among his most iconic performances are Max Bercovicz in Sergio Leone's *Once Upon a Time in America* (1984), Lester Diamond in Martin Scorsese's *Casino* (1995), and his roles in *Nixon* (1995) and *Contact* (1997). His acting style, characterized by sharp intelligence and an irascible nature, made him ideal for roles as cunning professionals, unsettling figures of power, or tormented individuals. He is also known for his voice acting work, particularly as the voice of Hades in Disney's *Hercules* (1997).