James L. Edwards began his acting career at the age of 12 when he answered an ad in his local newspaper about a casting call for zombie extras in the low budget horror film "The Dead Next Door". At the time, he was interested in coming aboard as a special effects make-up artist. Edwards soon learned that although he did not have the artistic knack for effects, he enjoyed acting and many other facets of production work. Hired on to the film as a production assistant and featured in multiple roles in zombie or victims roles, Edwards soon became a stable actor and production team member for Tempe Entertainment. Edwards continued to work for Tempe from 1985 until a falling out with director J.R. Bookwalter in 1998, though the two continued to be friendly until 2004. During that time, Edwards consistently worked as an actor in all but one of the Tempe productions, as well as serving as producer, writer, set design and CGI artist on various projects. While working with Tempe, Edwards was also head review writer on their Alternative Cinema magazine, as well as writing freelance for Blackest Heart. During this time, Edwards also served as co-screenwriter on Pete Jacelone's Psycho Sisters, a film in which he ironically got the job because he wrote a scathing review of Jacelone's original. Also, during this time, Edwards turned in his most memorable performance as a serial killer in the Matthew Jason Walsh horror film "Bloodletting". Shortly after the Tempe split, Edwards took time off to get married and have kids, living a "normal" life until he was approached by filmmaker T. Michael Conway, director of the gritty cop drama "PiG". Conway was getting ready to go into pre-production on a reality horror film entitled "June 9". Edwards, excited to get back to film, came aboard as producer and actor.
Was asked to play the role of Steven Hicks , Jeffrey Dahmers first victim, in a never produced Jeffrey Dahmer biopic, but refused on the grounds that the murder was miles from his home and thought it was in poor taste. Years later, he met his wife, Jenifer Edwards , the niece of victim Steven Hicks.
Father of Tyler Edwards and Tori Edwards and Harlow Edwards.
