Veteran actor Clifton James, known to soap fans for his roles in All My Children and Dallas, died during Easter weekend due to complications from diabetes, his daughter, Lynn James, confirms. The actor was 96.
Though widely known for his role as Sheriff J.W. Pepper in the James Bond movies Live and Let Die and The Man With the Golden Gun, James won the hearts of soap fans when he portrayed the role of Dallas' Duke Carlisle in 1990 and brought holiday magic to All My Children's Pine Valley as Red Kilgren (a.k.a. Kris Kringle) in 1996.
"He was the most outgoing person, beloved by everybody," Lynn James told the Associated Press. "I don't think the man had an enemy. We were incredibly blessed to have had him in our lives."
James, who was born in Spokane, Washington, served in World War II, where he earned the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and two Purple Hearts. He studied at the University of Oregon before going on to make a name for himself in a variety of plays, television shows, and films.
Some of James's most notable projects outside of daytime and his James Bond role include Cool Hand Luke, Eight Men Out, The Reivers, Silver Streak, Superman II, Gunsmoke, The Dukes of Hazzard, and The A-Team.
Former James Bond portrayer Roger Moore took to Twitter to share his devastation about James's passing.
"Terribly sad to hear Clifton James has left us," he wrote. "As JW Pepper he gave my first two Bond films a great, fun character."
Terribly sad to hear Clifton James has left us. As JW Pepper he gave my first two Bond films a great, fun character.
- Sir Roger Moore (@sirrogermoore) April 15, 2017
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