Jamey Sheridan Bio
James Patrick Sheridan (born July 12, 1951) is an American actor with a long career in theater, film, and television. Born in Pasadena, California, into a family of actors, he built a reputation for thoughtful, character-driven performances across stage and screen. Over four decades, he has appeared in acclaimed films and long-running television series, including The Ice Storm, Spotlight, Chicago Hope, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Homeland, Arrow, and Trauma. He is best known for playing Randall Flagg in The Stand (1994), Captain James Deakins on Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001–2006), and Robert Queen on Arrow (2012–2019).
Early Life and Background
James Patrick Sheridan was born on July 12, 1951, in Pasadena, California. He grew up in a family of actors, an upbringing that gave him early familiarity with the rhythms of performance and storytelling. As a young man, he was an avid football player, channeling much of his energy into athletics.
A series of sports injuries eventually steered him away from the football field and toward the stage, as the same injuries kept him from taking the dance classes he had originally considered. He chose to study acting at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he received formal training that would shape his craft.
Path to Acting
After completing his studies, Sheridan began his professional career in the early 1980s. He started with a brief stint at the Old Globe theater in San Diego before leaving California to travel. His journey included stops in Hawaii, the Mediterranean, and a longer period in Edinburgh, experiences that broadened his perspective on performance and storytelling.
The time abroad ultimately brought him back to the United States and to New York, where he immersed himself in stage work. He performed in productions by established playwrights ranging from George Bernard Shaw to Neil Simon, building the foundation for a theater career that would later earn him national recognition.
Jamey Sheridan Career
Early Career (1981–1989)
Sheridan launched his professional acting career in 1981, with his earliest notable work rooted in the theater. In 1987, he earned a Tony Award nomination for his performance in the revival of Arthur Miller’s All My Sons, a milestone that helped establish him as a serious stage actor.
He soon expanded into film and television, with his first on-screen appearance coming in the 1986 comedy Jumpin’ Jack Flash, starring Whoopi Goldberg. These early projects gave him valuable on-camera experience and set the stage for the leading roles that would follow.
Breakthrough (1990–2001)
In 1990, Sheridan landed his first starring television role as lawyer Jack Shannon on the series Shannon’s Deal, which ran for one season. He continued to take on varied screen roles throughout the early 1990s, including family man parts in the 1991 film All I Want for Christmas and a memorable villain turn as Randall Flagg in the 1994 miniseries adaptation of Stephen King’s The Stand.
His television presence grew further with the role of Dr. John Sutton on Chicago Hope from 1995 to 1996. He also built an impressive list of supporting film performances during this period, appearing in The Ice Storm, Cradle Will Rock, Life as a House, and the Hamlet-inspired noir Let the Devil Wear Black (1999). In 2000, he appeared in Campbell Scott’s production of Hamlet, returning to his Shakespearean roots.
From 2001 to 2006, Sheridan played Captain James Deakins on Law & Order: Criminal Intent, a defining role in his television career. Late in the 2004–2005 season, he began wearing an eyepatch on screen to reflect symptoms of Bell’s palsy, and the change was written into the show before his character was written out at the end of the 2005–2006 season at his request.
Notable Works and Milestones
Sheridan’s signature work includes his chilling portrayal of Randall Flagg in The Stand, his steady run as Captain Deakins on Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and his recurring role as Robert Queen on Arrow. His 1987 Tony nomination for All My Sons remains a defining recognition of his stage work, while films like The Ice Storm and Spotlight have showcased his range as a supporting performer.
Jamey Sheridan Award Nominations
Jamey Sheridan has received nominations across his theater, film, and television career, including a Tony Award nomination in 1987 for his performance in the Broadway revival of Arthur Miller’s All My Sons. Additional nomination details are not fully verified for this profile.
Jamey Sheridan Awards Won
Jamey Sheridan has built a respected career recognized by peers and audiences alike, with his Tony-nominated work on All My Sons and his long television runs standing as the most prominent honors in his body of work. Comprehensive award totals for his career are not fully verified for this profile.
Jamey Sheridan Family
Jamey Sheridan was born into a family of actors, an environment that shaped his early interest in performance and his eventual path to a professional acting career. He later married actress Colette Kilroy in 1993, and together they have three children. The family lives in Los Angeles, California.
Personal Life
Jamey Sheridan and his wife, Colette Kilroy, married in 1993 and have three children together. The family resides in Los Angeles, California, where Sheridan has been based for much of his later screen career.