James MacDonald
Acting
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.
Filmography
67 credits
Phone Booth
Movie • 2003
Negotiator
Volcano
Movie • 1997
Terry Jasper
Tigerland
Movie • 2000
Staff Sgt. Thomas
Joy Ride
Movie • 2001
Local in Nebraska Bar
Space Cowboys
Movie • 2000
Capcom
Hollywood Homicide
Movie • 2003
Danny Broome
Mercury Rising
Movie • 1998
SWAT Team Leader Francis
Turbulence
Movie • 1997
1st Officer Ted Kary
Home of the Brave
Movie • 2006
Ray
Hostage
Movie • 2002
SWAT Team Commander
Texas Chainsaw 3D
Movie • 2013
Officer Marvin
Fissure
Movie • 2011
Paul Grunning
Perfect Murder, Perfect Town: JonBenét and the City of Boulder
Movie • 2000
Det. Mark Beckner
Single and Ready to Jingle
Movie • 2022
Greg Polansky
Malcolm X
Movie • 1992
Lieutenant
The Kids Are All Right
Movie • 2010
Clay's Dad
Eye of the Stalker
Movie • 1995
Gerry
Two Evil Eyes
Movie • 1990
Little Boy
Movie • 2015
Recruitment Sergeant
Sour Grapes
Movie • 1998
Detective Frehill
Montana Amazon
Movie • 2013
Heirik
Blackout
Movie • 1996
Mechanic
The Birdcage
Movie • 1996
Crewman (Uncredited)
Broken Arrow
Movie • 1996
Park Ranger Baker
NYPD Mounted
Movie • 1991
The Fan
Movie • 1996
Sick Sean's Dad
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
TV • 2000
Kenneth Ward
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
TV • 2000
John Ruark
Castle
TV • 2009
Benjamin Wade
Major Crimes
TV • 2012
Lt. Reed
Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
TV • 2013
Agent Jacobson
Crisis
TV • 2014
Skip
Weeds
TV • 2005
2nd Cop
The Rookie
TV • 2018
FBI Driving Instructor
Chicago Fire
TV • 2012
ADC Adam Perry
The Mentalist
TV • 2008
Sgt. Bigley
Sweet/Vicious
TV • 2016
Officer Ballard
The Unit
TV • 2006
Willis Meeks
Lie to Me
TV • 2009
Detective Riley
Criminal Minds
TV • 2005
Det. Dennison
Sex and the City
TV • 1998
Garth
Scandal
TV • 2012
Interrogator
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
TV • 1993
Captain James Wainwright
ER
TV • 1994
Officer Gary McWayne
NCIS
TV • 2003
Captain Faul
Commander in Chief
TV • 2005
Agent Bennett
All Rise
TV • 2019
Ken Maples
JAG
TV • 1995
Walt Rockwell
Peacemakers
TV • 2003
Caleb McGinty
Fantasy Island
TV • 1998
Rex Raskin
Without a Trace
TV • 2002
Kevin
The Winchesters
TV • 2022
Jimmy Mixon
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
TV • 1997
Detective Stein
Longmire
TV • 2012
Randolph Hale
Brooklyn South
TV • 1997
Marshal Bovier
Touched by an Angel
TV • 1994
Gary McGregor
Jake and The Kid
TV • 1995
Louis
Pacific Blue
TV • 1996
Eitner
NCIS
TV • 2003
Admiral Norton Padgett
NCIS: Los Angeles
TV • 2009
DEA Special Agent John Ness
Love Bites
TV • 2011
James Feeney
24
TV • 2001
Officer
The Magnificent Seven
TV • 1998
Will Richmond
The Division
TV • 2001
Bob Jenkins
In Plain Sight
TV • 2008
Peter O'Dell
Ballard
TV • 2025
Naylin
CSI: Miami
TV • 2002
Dan Becks