David James (born 28 October 1972) is a South African film, theatre,
and television actor known mainly for playing the villainous Koobus
Venter in the 2009 Oscar-nominated science fiction film District 9. He
is also known to South African audiences for his 2004-2006 appearance
as "Mad Dog" on the long-running soap opera Isidingo, for his
portrayal as Joel Joffe in the large-scale and well-received 2010 and
2011 stage productions of Rivonia Trial, and for his role as radio
station manager Hermanus Meyer on the soap opera Rhythm City.James
grew up in Paarl, Western Cape, South Africa, on a wine farm. His
family were conservatives and separatists, his father a Dutch Reformed
man, whereas James was liberal. He and his family also clashed early
on regarding his choice of careers. As a young man, James struck a
bargain with his family that if he were to receive his WP-colours in
sports, he could then pursue his choice of studies. After
accomplishing this and after his tour of duty in the military, he
chose to study acting.From 1995-2001, James studied acting, singing,
dancing, and the flute. One of his instructors was the famous Joan
Brickhill, a "grand dame" of South African theatre and a Tony
Award-nominated choreographer, under whom James studied from 1997
through 2001. During this time he also worked selling cars, washing
cars, cleaning pools, and even caring for the elderly.
and television actor known mainly for playing the villainous Koobus
Venter in the 2009 Oscar-nominated science fiction film District 9. He
is also known to South African audiences for his 2004-2006 appearance
as "Mad Dog" on the long-running soap opera Isidingo, for his
portrayal as Joel Joffe in the large-scale and well-received 2010 and
2011 stage productions of Rivonia Trial, and for his role as radio
station manager Hermanus Meyer on the soap opera Rhythm City.James
grew up in Paarl, Western Cape, South Africa, on a wine farm. His
family were conservatives and separatists, his father a Dutch Reformed
man, whereas James was liberal. He and his family also clashed early
on regarding his choice of careers. As a young man, James struck a
bargain with his family that if he were to receive his WP-colours in
sports, he could then pursue his choice of studies. After
accomplishing this and after his tour of duty in the military, he
chose to study acting.From 1995-2001, James studied acting, singing,
dancing, and the flute. One of his instructors was the famous Joan
Brickhill, a "grand dame" of South African theatre and a Tony
Award-nominated choreographer, under whom James studied from 1997
through 2001. During this time he also worked selling cars, washing
cars, cleaning pools, and even caring for the elderly.
Share this
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
Join us for free and get valuable content delivered right through your inbox.