James Shanklin is an award winning actor and screenwriter.

Born and raised in Baltimore Maryland. During his undergraduate time he would spend his summers working as a member of the Ocean City Beach Patrol as a lifeguard on the beach. The first professional theatre job was in David Hare's Map of the World at Center Stage in Baltimore, MD. Along with other roles at Washington, DC's Folger Theatre where he performed with Stacy Keach in Richard III, Arena Stage where he was directed by the legendary theatre director Liviu Ciulei. From there he went on to do several plays with The New York Shakespeare Festival and The Public Theatre.

From there he went on to the prestigious Yale School of Drama where he did a multitude of productions including John Guare's Landscape of the Body with Laura Linney. Upon graduating from Yale, James performed in plays with the Public Theatre and the New York Shakespeare Festival including the world premiere of Thulani Davis's Everybody's Ruby with Viola Davis. James never stopped his passion for doing theatre even after his film and television work began to increase. After doing multiple roles in New York City produced television shows and films, he moved to Los Angeles in 2004 where he has had the pleasure of working with actors such as Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Eddie Murphy, Alfre Woodard among others and directors such as David Fincher, Barry Sonnenfeld, JJ Abrams, Tyler Perry and many others.

In 2023 James portrays Steve Ballmer in the upcoming FX production of The Sterling Affairs, with Ed O'Neil, Jacki Weaver and Laurence Fishburne.

James has always been a passionate advocate for animals and at one point had five dogs. More recently he has 4 mini dachshunds he shares with actress Eileen Wesson.