James Marsden Then and Now

James Marsden Then

James Paul Marsden, born on September 18, 1973, in Stillwater, Oklahoma, is the son of Kathleen, a nutritionist, and James Marsden, a food safety advisor. 

His upbringing in a small town provided a solid foundation, but his family life faced challenges early on. When Marsden was just nine years old, his parents divorced, a significant event that shaped his childhood. 

Despite this, he maintained close relationships with his four siblings: sisters Elizabeth and Jennifer, and brothers Robert and Jeff. 

Growing up, Marsden attended Hefner Middle School and Putnam City North High School in Oklahoma City, where he graduated in 1991. 

His high school years were marked by his involvement in various activities, laying the groundwork for his future pursuits.

After high school, Marsden enrolled at Oklahoma State University, pursuing a degree in broadcast journalism. 

During his time at OSU, he became a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity, which played a significant role in his college experience. 

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However, after a year and a half, Marsden decided to leave college to chase his true passion: acting. 

This bold decision marked the beginning of his journey in the entertainment industry, demonstrating his commitment to pursuing his dreams despite the uncertainties and challenges that lay ahead.

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James Marsden Acting Career

James Marsden made his television debut in 1993 with roles in the made-for-TV movie “In the Line of Duty: Ambush in Waco” and guest appearances on popular shows such as “The Nanny,” “Saved by the Bell: The New Class,” and “Joe’s Life.” 

These early roles showcased his talent and helped him gain a foothold in the industry. 

The following year, Marsden made his film debut in “No Dessert, Dad, Till You Mow the Lawn,” marking the beginning of his transition from television to film. 

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His early film roles included appearances in “Campfire Tales” (1997), “Disturbing Behavior” (1998), and “Gossip” (2000). 

During the 1990s, he also made guest appearances on shows like “Blossom,” “Party of Five,” and “Touched by an Angel,” and had a recurring role as Ricky Becket on ABC’s “Second Noah.” 

Additionally, Marsden appeared in several television films, including “Search and Rescue” (1994), “Bella Mafia” (1997), and “On the Edge of Innocence” (1997).

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In 2000, Marsden’s career took a significant turn when he began playing Glenn Foy on the popular series “Ally McBeal,” appearing in 13 episodes. 

That same year, he made his first appearance as Scott Summers/Cyclops in the “X-Men” film, a role he would reprise in “X2” (2003), “X-Men: The Last Stand” (2006), and “X-Men: Days of Future Past” (2014). 

The success of the “X-Men” franchise significantly boosted Marsden’s profile in Hollywood. 

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Following his role in “X-Men,” Marsden played notable characters such as John Wilkes Booth in “Zoolander” (2001) and Lon Hammond, Jr. in the romantic drama “The Notebook” (2004). 

In 2006, he appeared in several major films, including “Superman Returns,” “Enchanted,” and “Hairspray.” 

In “Hairspray,” Marsden showcased his musical talents, performing songs for the film’s soundtrack, which achieved Platinum certification in the U.S.

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Marsden’s career continued to flourish with roles in “27 Dresses” (2008), “The Box” (2009), and “Death at a Funeral” (2010). 

He also lent his voice to animated films like “Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore” (2010) and “Hop” (2011). 

In 2011, Marsden guest-starred on the hit show “Modern Family,” and in 2013, he portrayed Jack Lime in “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues” and John F. Kennedy in “The Butler.” 

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Around this time, he also had a recurring role on “30 Rock” and voiced Sir Brad Starlight on the Disney Channel series “Wander Over Yonder.” 

Marsden appeared in comedies like “Walk of Shame” (2014) and “The D Train” (2015) and portrayed Burt Reynolds in the extended cut of Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” (2019).

Between 2016 and 2018, Marsden starred in 17 episodes of the critically acclaimed series “Westworld,” further solidifying his status as a versatile actor. 

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He also appeared in the 2017 HBO mockumentary “Tour de Pharmacy.” 

In 2020, Marsden played Tom Wachowski in the live-action “Sonic the Hedgehog” film, a role that introduced him to a new generation of fans. 

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Additionally, he portrayed Phil Crane in the FX miniseries “Mrs. America” and took on the role of hero Stu Redman in “The Stand,” based on Stephen King’s 1978 novel. 

These roles have demonstrated Marsden’s ability to seamlessly transition between genres and formats, making him a respected and sought-after actor in the industry.

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James Marsden Movies

• No Dessert, Dad, Till You Mow the Lawn (1994)
• Public Enemies (1996)
• Campfire Tales (1997)
• Disturbing Behavior (1998)
• Gossip (2000)
• X-Men (2000)
• Sugar & Spice (2001)
• Zoolander (2001)
• Interstate 60: Episodes of the Road (2002)
• X2: X-Men United (2003)
• The 24th Day (2004)
• Heights (2004)
• The Notebook (2004)
• Sex Drive (2004)
• X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
• Superman Returns (2006)
• 10th & Wolf (2006)
• Hairspray (2007)
• Enchanted (2007)
• 27 Dresses (2008)
• The Box (2009)
• Death at a Funeral (2010)
• Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore (2010) (voice)
• Straw Dogs (2011)
• Hop (2011) (voice)
• Robot & Frank (2012)
• Bachelorette (2012)
• As Cool as I Am (2013)
• 2 Guns (2013)
• The Butler (2013)
• Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013)
• Walk of Shame (2014)
• The Best of Me (2014)
• Welcome to Me (2014)
• The D Train (2015)
• Unfinished Business (2015)
• Into the Grizzly Maze (2015)
• Shock and Awe (2017)
• Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019) (extended cut)
• Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
• The Stand-In (2020)
• Boss Level (2021)
• Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022)
• Disenchanted (2022)
• Jury Duty (2023)
• Unfrosted (2024)
• Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024)

James Marsden’s Wife and Children

James Marsden married Mary Elizabeth Linde on July 22, 2000. Their marriage saw the birth of two children: a son named Jack, born on February 1, 2001, and a daughter named Mary, born on August 10, 2005. 

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Despite their initial happiness, Marsden and Linde’s relationship eventually faced challenges, leading to their divorce in September 2011 after over a decade together.

Following his divorce, Marsden had a relationship with Rose Costa. From this relationship, Marsden welcomed his third child, a son named William, born on December 14, 2012. 

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The actor remains committed to his role as a father, balancing his career with his responsibilities to his children from his previous marriage and his relationship with Costa.

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James Marsden Now

James Marsden, now 50 years old, is an accomplished American actor known for his versatility and wide-ranging roles in both television and film. 

He began his acting career with guest appearances on popular television shows such as “Saved by the Bell: The New Class,” “Touched by an Angel,” and “Party of Five.” 

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These early roles helped establish him in the entertainment industry and paved the way for a successful career that has spanned over three decades.

Marsden’s recent projects continue to showcase his talent and adaptability. He stars in the upcoming movies “Unfrosted” and “Sonic the Hedgehog 3,” both set to release in 2024. 

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In “Unfrosted,” he explores new genres and storytelling, further solidifying his reputation as a dynamic actor. 

Meanwhile, “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” sees Marsden reprising his role as Tom Wachowski, a character that has endeared him to a new generation of fans and contributed to the franchise’s success.

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As Marsden continues to take on diverse roles, his enduring presence in Hollywood highlights his ability to evolve with the industry while maintaining a strong connection with audiences. 

His career trajectory, marked by a blend of early television work, blockbuster films, and recent projects, exemplifies his dedication and passion for acting.

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James Marsden’s Net Worth

James Marsden, an American actor renowned for his versatile roles in both television and film, has accumulated a net worth of $10 million over his successful career.

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