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James: Hi everyone!
EThost: Okay James, first we're going to start off with the question that has been the most asked...
Tammy asks: I'm dying to know- do you have a girlfriend???
James: Is that really the most popular question? I do have a girlfriend and we've been going out for 3 years now. She is an actress. She actually just started a new job as a regular on Days of Our Lives. Her name is Lisa Linde. Now that I've let everyone down...
Jamie asks: Everyone's saying that you're going to become one of Hollywoods biggest hot new talented young stars. Are you worried about sudden fame?
James: Am I worried about sudden fame? Well you know, I guess you can only prepare yourself for so much until it happens. I think it would be a good thing if it happened but not to such an extent as Leonardo [DiCaprio]'s fame, that can be a blessing and a curse.
Samantha asks: How do you feel about being considered as a "hunk"?
James: I laugh. I don't really consider myself a hunk. I was always the guy in high school who never got the girls. I was just a skinny little girl, I really was. I'm really flattered. I never thought anyone would think that, but I guess they do, so thank you.
George Lee asks: Was your high school experience anything like that of your character's in 'Disturbing Behavior?'
James: Not really. There were some similarities. In my early years in high school I was more reserved. I didn't make an effort to run out and make new friends. I see that as a parallel to the character. This character of Steve, he's an outcast, kind of socially inept. So you know, my later years in high school I kind of came out of my shell. I got into drama class and into sports and just got more involved. But I never had a girlfriend like Katie Holmes!
EThost: What was it like working with Katie Holmes?
James: Katie was like a breath of fresh air for me. I'm from Oklahoma and she's from Ohio, and it's always nice to meet someone from the same background. We hit it off right off the bat and now she's a good friend of mine. There were times when the set would get really intense and we'd have to break it up with some dance choreography, so we had lots of fun.
Colleen asks: Are there any funny stories that you can tell us that happened on the set of 'Disturbing Behavior?'
James: Whenever it was Katie's close-up, I was just such a giving actor. (laughs). I would do whatever I could to make her mess up her close-up. I would start singing the theme song to Dawson's Creek (he starts to sing...)
EThost: What did Katie do to mess you up on the set?
James: She'd make stupid faces and stuff. I was meaner to her then she was to me.
bd103 asks: When you make a scary film like 'Disturbing Behavior' do you ever have moments during the filming where you get creeped out?
James: I did. There is a whole sequence filmed inside a real psychiatric facility with padded cells and we had to cast some of the freakiest people in Vancouver. We got creeped out at that place.
Tiffany asks: Did you do any of your own stunts in the movie?
James: I actually beat myself up a lot. You always come into it saying, "Yeah, I can do my own stunts." Then after the first take you say, "Yeah, you can send in the stunt double now." I did have to ride on a motorcycle, but I didn't do the jumps.
EThost: Had you ever ridden on a motorcycle before?
James: I had, and I completely trashed it. Hence my cycle phobia.
Diana asks: On "Second Noah" you played the guitar really well and you have such a wonderful voice! Do you have any plans to make an album?
James: That's been something I've wanted to do for a long time. I've been really lazy about going forward with it, but yes I do plan to do that sometime. I don't really know what kind of music I would do. The type of music I like to play and sing ranges from alternative rock to Frank Sinatra, so it's hard to say what kind of music I would do.
EThost: How old were you when you started playing guitar?
James: I was 14. I actually should be a lot better then I am (laughs).
Melissa asks: If you didn't have an acting career would you be doing music instead?
James: Probably, but I don't know if I'd be making any money doing it. But I'd be attempting.
Sara asks: What has been your favorite role to play so far in your career?
James: You know, it's weird- it's hard to answer that question. I've been able to do such a variety of characters its kind of fun to change it up. I'll play a mad man, then turn around and play a nice guy. The most fun I had was on 'Behavior,' because I played with Nick Stahl and Katie Holmes and they made it fun. So that's the one I was most excited about. Also, it was my first big feature film.
EThost: Do you prefer doing movies or television?
James: Movies! I like the idea of going away for 2 months to film a movie somewhere and play a character you've never played before, and after that it's all over. And you can go play another character you've never played before.
Franny asks: If you could star opposite any one actress, who would you choose?
James: Lemme think here.... I love Kate Winslet. I'd love to do something with her. I also love Susan Sarandon.
Leilani asks: Do you prefer to be called James or Jimmy?
James: It's kind of social, all my friends call me Jimmy. But when agents and managers come into play, they say, "It'd be better if you were billed on this movie as James." Whenever anyone calls me James I feel like I'm supposed to pull the limo around.
EThost: What does your mom call you?
James: Pookie. No, she calls me Jimmy (laughs).
EThost: Any funny nicknames in high school?
James: My family always called me Cricket because of Jiminy Cricket. But that wasn't for a long time, only a year or so. Most people just call me Jimmy.
CarolineP asks: Do you have any brothers or sisters?
James: I do. One older brother, one younger brother, and one younger sister.
EThost: Are any of them "in the business"?
James: My younger brother is. He's going to school studying producing and directing films.
Meredith asks: How old were you when you started acting, and what was the first acting job you had?
James: Well, I moved to LA when I was 19, and the first acting job that I booked was the first episode of "The Nanny" with Fran Drescher and I had a whopping 2 lines. They brought me back for one other episode after the series was picked up.
Bob asks: I first saw you on "The Nanny," and my question is, with all this new success, if asked, would you do return engagements on "The Nanny?"
James: Since they haven't asked.... I've tried to go on and do some other things. But I'm at a point right now where I'd love to be concentrating just on film, and then we'll see what happens. Maybe I'll be right back on the show (laughs) if they'll have me.
stafmail asks: Would you ever like to return to the stage and perform in a musical? If so, which one?
James: That's another thing. In addition to doing an album or something, I'd love to move to New York for a few months and do a Broadway or off-Broadway musical. Because that to me is not a job, you do it because you love to do it. And Katie promised me, we promised each other, that if we ever did a musical, we'd have to star with each other. I loved RENT. I loved the music, I loved the edge that it had. It was something different from most musical theater. I loved its statement.
Sara asks: What can we look forward to seeing you in next?
James: I'm doing a movie for Warner Bros. called 'Gossip,' that Joel Schumacher is producing. And myself and Norman Reedus, the former Prada model are starring in it.
EThost: What's your role in that one?
James: A pre-law student at NYU who's a manipulative a--hole. He's not a good guy.
EThost: Did you like playing the bad guy?
James: I don't see myself in real life as a bad guy, so I think a lot of times as actors, you want to play something completely different from your own personality.
MichelleRW asks: Is there any type of role you want to tackle in the future?
James: Funny you say that. I can't say the name, but there's a movie that starts filming in January that I may do where I play a deaf blind kid, and those are kinds of things I'd love to see if I could pull off.
Anna asks: What was yourfavorite scene in 'Disturbing'?
James: The one I enjoyed filming the most was the scene with Lorna, where she flips out and smashes her head into the mirror and then blood proceeds to streak down her face.
EThost: Gross!
Sare81 asks: What do your friends and family think of you being a movie star?
James: They are excited for me. They have adopted the attitude of trying to keep my feet on the ground. It's always nice to have them there to remind you of who you are, but they are very supportive.
danielle asks: What are some of your hobbies?
James: I actually collect guitars, vintage guitars, and I'm a movie freak.... so I love watching movies. I also love sports. I'm a firm believer in staying active with sports, and that kind of thing. I play basketball, go snow skiing, rollerblading.
EThost: What is your favorite movie?
James: I'd have to say 'Jaws.' I'd love to give you my favorite film in each category... but that's my favorite action-adventure film.
danya asks: Is there any relation to Step By Step's Jason Marsden?
James: No relation, but good friends.
Carly asks: Who were your acting inspirations or role models?
James: Well I'll tell ya Carly.... I've always been Paul Newman's biggest fan. I'd love to have a career that spans as long as his. But as far as young actors, I think Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, they all sound cliche, but they all have great careers.
Mehdi Ilchi asks: What do you look for in a girl?
James: I have so many bad answers to that, (laughs) let me think of a good answer. Someone who is not afraid to be themselves. Somebody with a really good sense of humor and enjoys living life. Someone who feels good about themselves. It's a tall order but... (laughs)
EThost: Do you think plastic surgery is a bad thing for women...?
James: I love 'em for men (laughs) because I got everything tucked! It's funny you asked that because you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who is more against that than me. I think people start forgetting what is attractive or sexy about a person, and when you fabricate that, it becomes unattractive. I'm all for the real thing baby! Whatever it looks like the real thing is always better then the fake. I will encourage anyone who thinks they are flat chested or large chested or overweight to leave it alone.
Rookie asks: What do you think about all the websites that are dedicated to you?
James: Are there any? (laughs) Really... I haven't been on the internet in a long time I guess... but I am very flattered. And my eyes are blue, they aren't contacts dammit! (laughs) Not as blue as the poster, but.....
EThost: James has to go now.....
James: Fans, thank you! I hope you enjoy 'Disturbing Behavior' it opens on Friday. If you think it's too short a lot was cut out but it is really great, so go see it!
EThost: Thanks James!
EThost: Thanks everyone!
