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James Whitmore Jr.

James Whitmore Jr. (born October 24, 1948) is an and best known for portraying Captain Jim Gutterman in the series (also known as Black Sheep Squadron) from 1976 to 1978. The son of acclaimed and his first wife, Nancy Mygatt, he began his acting career in the 1970s, with early television appearances including a guest role in (1976). His early film roles included supporting parts in Purple Hearts (1984), where he performed well as a squad leader according to a New York Times review. Transitioning to directing in the late 1970s, Whitmore focused on television, amassing over 200 episode credits across decades, including acting in the feature film The Long Riders (1980). Notable directing work includes episodes of The Rockford Files, Magnum, P.I., Quantum Leap (15 episodes across seasons 3–5), Star Trek: The Next Generation, NYPD Blue, The X-Files, JAG, NCIS (multiple seasons and spinoffs), 24 (six episodes in season 2), CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and Grey's Anatomy. His work on NCIS and its spinoffs has been noted in industry retrospectives for his long-term directing contributions and insights into the show's dynamics. As of 2025, he continues to direct episodes of series such as Elsbeth and NCIS: Origins. Whitmore has been married to Salesha Ali since March 28, 1972, and they have four children, including son Handel, an assistant director on , and daughter Aliah, an who has performed at the . He is the eldest of three brothers from his parents' marriage, with siblings Steve (a ) and Dan (a ). The Whitmore family maintains a strong connection to the , reflecting a multi-generational legacy in .

Early life

Family background

James Allen Whitmore Jr. was born on October 24, 1948, in to actor and his first wife, Nancy Mygatt. His father was an acclaimed performer who won a Tony Award for his Broadway debut in Command Decision and a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Series for his role in The Practice, among other honors that highlighted his versatility across stage, film, and television. This distinguished career directly exposed Whitmore Jr. to from an early age, as the family often accompanied the elder Whitmore on theater tours and to film sets, immersing him in the rhythms of . Raised in a household dominated by the alongside his two full brothers, Stephen and Daniel, Whitmore Jr. experienced anecdotes of family life centered on his father's dramatic flair, such as impromptu performances of historical characters that brought the craft vividly to life at home. The constant presence of plays in preparation or discussion fostered an environment where acting felt like the family's core pursuit, profoundly shaping his early interest in .

Education and military service

James Whitmore Jr. attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in for two years after spending one year in college. His father's service as a in was a notable part of the family history.

Acting career

Early roles

James Whitmore Jr. entered the acting profession in the mid-1970s, marking his television debut in 1976 with a minor role as a goon in the episode "Greed" of the series . This appearance served as his initial foray into on-screen work, showcasing his ability to portray tough, supporting characters in crime dramas. That same year, Whitmore Jr. achieved his first significant breakout role as Captain Jim Gutterman, a dedicated Marine Corps pilot, on the action-adventure series (also known as Black Sheep Squadron), which aired on from 1976 to 1978. He appeared in 23 episodes during the show's first season, contributing to the depiction of fighter pilots based on the real-life exploits of Marine aviator Greg Boyington. The role highlighted his physical presence and suited him to military-themed narratives, drawing on the authentic intensity required for such portrayals. Building on this momentum, Whitmore Jr. secured guest spots on prominent television shows, including a recurring role as Freddie Beamer, an ambitious aspiring to be a , starting with the 1977 episode "Beamer's Last Case" of . He reprised the character in several episodes through 1979, adding comedic and everyman elements to his repertoire amid the series' gritty detective format. In film, Whitmore Jr.'s early contributions were modest but notable, with a supporting turn as Mr. Rixley in the 1980 Western , directed by and featuring real-life acting brothers in outlaw roles. This appearance, though brief, represented his transition into feature films during the late 1970s and early , as he navigated initial opportunities in both television and cinema.

Notable television appearances

James Whitmore Jr. gained recognition in the late 1970s for his recurring role as Freddie Beamer, a bumbling and aspiring who often served as an informant to Jim Rockford, appearing in multiple episodes of from 1977 to 1979. His portrayal emphasized comic relief through Beamer's hapless attempts to emulate Rockford's detective style, contributing to the show's blend of humor and procedural drama. In the mid-1980s, Whitmore took on a more prominent recurring part as Sgt. Bernie Terwilliger on Hunter, featuring in 16 episodes from 1984 to 1986. As the tough, no-nonsense detective partnering with the leads in various cases, the role highlighted Whitmore's ability to embody the archetypal hard-edged law enforcement officer in a gritty crime series. Whitmore also made several guest appearances on popular 1980s action and detective shows, including multiple episodes of Magnum, P.I. where he played characters like Billy Joe Bob Little and a Russian agent. These roles, along with others in series such as Simon & Simon and Knight Rider, showcased his versatility in supporting parts within ensemble-driven narratives. By 1990, Whitmore had accumulated over 50 television credits, predominantly in crime dramas and genres, establishing a reputation for reliable performances in ensemble casts without earning major awards.

Directing career

Transition from acting

In the mid-1980s, James Whitmore Jr. transitioned from a primary career to directing, beginning with his debut on the episode "Home for Christmas" of Riptide in 1984. Capitalizing on his industry relationships, he secured initial opportunities, including portraying Sgt. Bernie Terwilliger on Hunter from 1984 to 1986 and directing his first episode of the series in 1986. This shift was motivated by a desire for greater creative control following over 15 years of , during which he had built a reputation in supporting television roles. Whitmore was also influenced by his father James Whitmore's multifaceted career as an , , and , which emphasized versatility in the entertainment field. Additionally, the brought fewer opportunities for character actors amid changing television production trends, encouraging him to pursue directing as a sustainable path. A pivotal moment occurred in 1990 when Whitmore directed the episode "," which represented his full commitment to directing and led him to reduce acting to sporadic guest appearances thereafter. He faced challenges in this self-taught endeavor, having developed his skills through years of observing directors on set while acting, rather than formal training.

Key television directorial credits

James Whitmore Jr. has established a prolific directing career in television, helming over 200 episodes across more than 40 series since the mid-1980s, with a focus exclusively on episodic television rather than feature films. His contributions span genres including science fiction, teen drama, and procedural crime series, often emphasizing character-driven narratives within structured formats. Among his most extensive credits are 50 episodes of NCIS spanning 2004 to 2025, where he captured the procedural's blend of investigation and team dynamics across multiple seasons. He also directed 15 episodes of Quantum Leap from 1990 to 1993, including the series finale "Mirror Image," contributing to the show's time-travel adventures and emotional depth. Whitmore's work in 1990s prime-time soaps includes 11 episodes of Beverly Hills, 90210, helping shape its exploration of youth and relationships. In the 2000s, he helmed 6 episodes of Cold Case (2003–2008), focusing on cold-case investigations with atmospheric flashbacks, and 5 episodes of The Unit (2006–2009), depicting military operations with high-stakes tension. Additional highlights encompass 8 episodes of 21 Jump Street and 5 episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, showcasing his versatility in action-oriented and supernatural procedurals. His background has been cited as a strength in guiding performances, particularly in mentoring emerging talent on set.

Personal life

Marriage and

James Whitmore Jr. has been married to Salesha since March 28, 1972, with no prior marriages recorded in public accounts. The couple has four children, three of whom have followed traditions in the entertainment industry: daughter Aliah Whitmore, born around 1982, is an actress and director who has appeared in series such as NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles.; son Jacob Whitmore, born around 1988, works as an artist and ; and son Handel Whitmore, an on Sons of Anarchy. The remaining child, Shanewaz, maintains a low public profile. The family resides in , where Whitmore Jr. balances his extensive directing schedule—spanning shows like NCIS and —with family involvement in the . Together with Aliah and Jacob, he co-founded the Whitmore Eclectic theater company in 2010, staging productions that highlight their collaborative dynamic and shared passion for live performance, including joint appearances at industry events such as openings at the Hayworth Theatre. No public records indicate divorces or scandals in Whitmore Jr.'s personal life; their enduring marriage is often portrayed in profiles as a stable foundation supporting his career longevity, in contrast to his father's three marriages.

Later activities

In the later stages of his career, James Whitmore Jr. continued to direct episodes of long-running television series, including sporadic contributions to the NCIS franchise. He helmed episodes such as "Prodigal Son (Part II)" on October 21, 2025, and "No Man Left Behind" of NCIS: Origins on November 4, 2025, demonstrating his ongoing involvement in procedural dramas despite a reduced pace compared to earlier decades. While primarily focused on directing, Whitmore has maintained a low-profile presence through occasional voice work and cameo appearances in television projects during the 2020s. Whitmore's legacy emphasizes his unique transition from acting to directing, particularly in bridging character-driven performances with efficient episodic storytelling in TV procedurals like and its spin-offs, where he has directed over 80 episodes across the franchise. As of 2025, he resides in , with no major health issues reported, and appears semi-retired but selectively active in the industry.

References

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