James Marsden

James Marsden (also credited as James Paul Marsden and “Jimmy Marsden”) is an American screen actor born on September 18, 1973, in Stillwater, Oklahoma. He broke in through 1990s television, landing early guest appearances on series such as Saved by the Bell: The New Class, Touched by an Angel, and Party of Five.

Marsden became widely recognized for playing Cyclops in the X-Men films, a long-running franchise role that helped establish him as a reliable leading man. His filmography spans romance, comedy, and family blockbusters, with standout turns in The Notebook (as Lon Hammond), Superman Returns (as Richard White), Hairspray (as Corny Collins), Enchanted (as Prince Edward), The Box (as Arthur Lewis), and 27 Dresses (as Kevin Doyle).

On television, he headlined major series including HBO’s sci-fi epic Westworld and the dark comedy Dead to Me, earning Critics’ Choice recognition. He also popped up in comedies like Modern Family and 30 Rock, before playing a sharp, fictionalized version of himself in Jury Duty, which brought Golden Globe and Emmy nominations.

More recently, Marsden has reached new audiences as Tom Wachowski in the Sonic the Hedgehog films, including Sonic the Hedgehog 3, and continues expanding his range with projects such as the thriller series Paradise (2025).