Dontez James

Cleveland, Ohio native Dontez X. James caught the acting bug early while performing Aladdin Jr. in an elementary school play. After transferring schools and becoming a top track and field prospect at Ravenna High school, Dontez would go on to stay in touch with his creative mind through writing fictional novels by the time he graduated and went to college. While at the University of Akron, Dontez would find his calling back to the stage and eventually would come across a major life decision. Dontez felt that college was not for him and he would publish his second book and test the waters in an attempt to become a Hollywood actor. After rumors of the school discontinuing its theater program and being placed on academic probation, Dontez would take that as a sign that he should go into acting. He went back to his calling and continued his education on set as a background extra in Ohio-based film and TV productions, including extended work on "Fate of the Furious." One year later, Dontez booked his first professional audition, a small role in "The Land" starring Erykah Badu, Michael K. Williams, and Machine Gun Kelly. Director Steven Caple Jr. ("Creed II") praised his work during his auditioning process and performance on set. More roles in Ohio-filmed features quickly followed over the years. Dontez went on an amazing run as a local Ohio native, booking four roles back to back including: "My Friend Dahmer," "The Assassin's Code," "Surviving Compton," and "Last Flag Flying." Impressed with his performances, "Dahmer" producer Adam Goldworm and "Assassin's Code" director David A. Armstrong both strongly encouraged Dontez to move to Los Angeles. He took the leap and moved to LA in 2019, signing with Goldworm's Aperture Entertainment and Momentum Talent Agency. He hit the ground running, within months he landed a featured role in the pilot episode of HBO's acclaimed comedy series "Made for Love" starring Cristin Milioti, Billy Magnussen and Ray Romano. Put on pause during Covid, the series premiered in April 2021 and by December 2021 Dontez's hilariously quirky standout performance as "Donnie" garnered rave reviews and fan buzz, and he recurred for two episodes during season 2 and eventually placed into a storyline before the series' cancellation with MAX. Committed to personal growth and exploring the human condition, Dontez's gracious humility, warm humor, and ever-deepening acting range make him an actor who's one to watch.

More about the Author: He began writing at age 11. Facing emotional struggles because of his mother's battle with Lupus, Dontez put his pain into his art in the form of poetry. After moving from Cleveland, OH, Dontez arrived at Ravenna, OH, and he would go on to join the Upward Bound Program. There, they would help him become not only a first-generation high-school graduate but also the first published author in his family. By the time Dontez finished his first year of college, he was the author of two novels and felt as if he'd already decided exactly what he wanted to do with his life. In the pursuit of becoming an actor, Dontez would continue to face life experiences that would shape both his writing and acting career. Dontez explores universal themes of temptation and redemption, head vs. heart, too-much-too-soon, and more using a refreshing first-person narrative. He creates authentic dialogue and well-painted settings. Dontez has recurring readers across the states who have shared their testimonies about their personal growth and healing from the hidden messages within Dontez's work. Dontez X. James is not just an actor, but an artist who is committed to contributing to the advancement of every human being who comes across his works.