James Fox is the son of the late Robin Fox, a distinguished theatrical agent who helped set up MCA for Jules Stein in London immediately after World War II. His mother, Angela, was an actress and both his brothers are distinguished in the British theatre and film world, Edward as an actor and Robert as a producer. Fox entered acting as a child star in Mrs. Miniver's Story in 1950 and followed it up with The Magnet for Ealing Studios in 1951.

Fox was trained at Central School of Speech and Drama before having to do compulsory Military Service ( 1959-61 ) after which he returned to acting and soon made his mark in Joseph Losey's The Servant in 1963. Then followed some distinguished feature films in the 1960's including three in the USA, King Rat in 1965 and Thoroughly Modern Millie, and The Chase, both in 1966. This period culminated in Nicholas Roeg's cult classic Performance in 1969 which Fox completed prior to his leaving the acting world for nine and a half years to pursue Christian vocational work.

Credit: cinema.com