James Coburn (August 31, 1928 - November 18, 2002) was born in Laurel, Nebraska and raised in Compton, California. In 1950, he enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Texas and then transferred to Germany where he narrated training films. Once he was discharged, he went to college in Los Angeles and made his stage debut in La Jolla. He was in 70 films and appeared on television more than 100 times during his 45 year career. He has been in movies including “The Magnificent Seven,” “The Great Escape,” “Major Dundee,” and “Cross of Iron.” He was married twice, to Beverly Kelly from 1959 to 1979, and then to Paula Murad from 1993 until he died in 2002, and he is the father of two children.
Recommended Resources
Quintessential Cool: A Conversation with James Coburn
This interview, in the form ofa casual conversation, is with James Coburn and contains his take on various movies, details about rehearsal and filming them, his acting, and his favorite scenes.
http://www.celticcafe.com/archive/artists/coburn/mmaker1.htm
Son of a Gun: James Coburn on “American Gun”
This synopsis and review of "American Gun" also includes Coburn's thoughts on his character, acting, and the movie itself.
http://www.filmthreat.com/interviews/408/
Details about the life, career and death of James Coburn includes his profile, film and television credits, photographs, and links to articles about him.
http://www.thespiannet.com/actors/C/coburn_james/james_coburn.shtml
Created by a fan after Coburn's death, this tribute recounts the author's meeting of the actor in 1994, his subsequent meetings with him, and his favorite movies featuring the actor, including "In Like Flint," "The Great Escape," and "The President's Analyst," among many others.
http://www.films42.com/tribute/coburn.asp
