James Patrick Nelson

James Patrick Nelson

A dynamic and versatile character actor with a distinctive voice and a powerful emotional facility, James Patrick Nelson has written and starred in numerous award-winning films, which have been widely praised on the festival circuits, and screened theatrically on both coasts.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, he trained at the Boston University School of Theatre, and began his New York theatre career in Off-Broadway productions of Chekhov and Shakespeare, working opposite Maggie Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard, Ethan Hawke, Joely Richardson, Bebe Neuwirth, Christina Ricci, Taylor Mac, Austin Pendleton, and many others.

He was nominated for an Innovative Theatre Award for Best Actor for the world premiere of "Old Familiar Faces" in the New York City Fringe. He and his cast mates won the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Ensemble for "Sense and Sensibility" at the Folger Theatre. He later reprised his role in Bedlam's production at the American Repertory Theatre. He most recently starred in the world premiere of "Immortal Longings," the final play by Terrence McNally.

As an actor-screenwriter, James most recent work has focused solely on LGBTQ+ protagonists and communities. His original series "For Years to Come" goes into production in 2021, and he is developing several queer-centric feature screenplays.

Movies for James Patrick Nelson...

For Years to Come
Title: For Years to Come
Released: April 23, 2023
Type: Movie
A gay man falls in love with his dead mother's hospice nurse, while struggling to reconcile with his elderly father...who's secretly a porn director.
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Love in Kilnerry
Title: Love in Kilnerry
Character: Father Wesley O'Dell
Released: April 8, 2022
Type: Movie
The elderly residents of a small remote town panic when the EPA announces mandatory changes to their chemical plant could cause a dramatic increase in sexual libido. The sheriff tries to maintain order and decency but mayhem ensues.
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We Are Living Things
Title: We Are Living Things
Character: Kidnapped Customer
Released: September 5, 2021
Type: Movie
Two immigrants living on the fringes of American society hit the road in search of the truth about a shared UFO abduction.
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Waking Up
Title: Waking Up
Released: March 31, 2021
Type: Movie
A young gay man visits his uncle in the hospital, to discuss all the hilarity and the challenges of LGBT experiences across the generations.
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Without Touch
Title: Without Touch
Released: May 12, 2020
Type: Movie
A young man learns to practice self-love after two months with no physical contact.
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Being
Title: Being
Character: Dennis Byrne
Released: January 7, 2020
Type: Movie
A festive gathering in a secluded small-town farmhouse in the mountains is brought to a halt when a bright burst of light explodes from the barn. Stranded in the middle of nowhere, they carefully investigate, making a discovery not of this world.
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The Second Sun
Title: The Second Sun
Character: Brownshirt
Released: December 20, 2018
Type: Movie
Two lost souls meet one cold night in Post-war Manhattan. Before dawn deep rooted secrets will be revealed. And this man and woman, will believe in life, love, and most importantly miracles again. The human spirit can survive anything.
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The Sky is Blue with Lies: Tribeca Phaedra
Title: The Sky is Blue with Lies: Tribeca Phaedra
Character: Jay
Released: May 6, 2018
Type: Movie
Late 70s, downtown NYC, bar scene. Fara, the bar keeper’s young wife, falls in love with her beautiful step son, Po, just back from California. Early 80s, a filmmaker goes back to the witnesses and players, who tell the story of the tragedy. It’s Phaedra and Hippolytus, shot in a cool-tempered No Wave style.