Raised in the bohemian enclave of Sausalito, Wilder attended an all-boys advanced learning
institute. At the age of 14, he was living in Paris, regaling audiences with his one-man show at 
such legendary venues as the Moulin Rouge and Lido, and later on Broadway. Wilder nabbed a 
role in the Broadway hit “Sugar Babies” while studying at the famed NY Actors Studio. His 
breakout role was as the troubled addict son of Ed Asner in the ABC Circle Theater presentation 
“Cracked Up.” Coincidentally, Mr. Asner will also be honored at the 2015 festival where a 
documentary about him, “My Friend Ed,” is premiering on Saturday, May 21st.
Beginning in the late 1980s, Wilder made a splash on the small screen in a number of popular 
series, including “Equal Justice,” “Melrose Place” and “Models Inc.,” and found success in film 
as well. He starred in “The Coriolis Effect,” which won The Grand Prize in its category at the 
Venice Film Festival. It was his scorching depiction of serial killer Carl Isaacs in the acclaimed 
Miramax film “Murder One” that thrust him into the limelight. Having spent an entire day with 
the prisoner at Atlanta’s Reedsville State Penitentiary, Wilder embodied the dark and sinister 
psyche of a deranged murderer with chilling acuity. Or as the New York Times wrote: “James 
Wilder, as Carl Isaacs, is a thoroughly malevolent character, one in whom evil rather than 
insanity seems to prevail.”
A true renaissance man, Wilder balances his work as an actor with a passion for visual art, 
architecture and design. Untrained as an architect or interior designer, Wilder’s keen eye and 
distinct vision has transformed a dozen empty lots throughout California into panoramic living 
art. The homes he built in his exclusive Hollywood Hills neighborhood have evolved into a 
loosely structured artist’s retreat. Wilder has experimented with sculpture, and creates apparel 
and jewelry approaching his various endeavors with equal enthusiasm and expertise.

James Wilder “3 Holes a Smoking Gun” Reviews

“Wilder… imbues his burned-out Hollywood screenwriter character with just the right amount of jaundiced desperation.”

Michael Rechtshaffen, Los Angeles Times

“James Wilder’s performance is particularly noteworthy in his portrayal of Bobby, the aging, washed-out screenwriter. Wilder has a great sense for subtle detail, movement, and emotion here, delivering the most out of every line of dialogue.  This film is engaging whenever James Wilder is on screen, which says a lot about his likability.”

Win Kang, Examiner.com

“Wilder’s performance is quite strong.”

Keith Watson, Redcarpetcrash.com

“James is great as Bobby… a solid performance from Wilder.”

Eric Hills, Movie Waffler

“Actor James Wilder excels as a washed up screenwriter in this fascinating psychological thriller. He takes over the screen and never lets go. This little  indie offering ends up as a perfect match for the talented lead actor and its riveting story.”

Betty Jo Tucker, Reel Talk Reviews

 “(Wilder delivers) an excellent performance and burns up the screen.” 

Michele Gwynn, London Film Review

“James Wilder who is the true stand-out here. The performance has scored him some festival awards, and it’ easy to see why. His portrayal of Bobby is compelling enough to hold our attention... It’s become a bit of a cliché to say an actor carries a film on his own shoulders, but in 3 Holes And A Smoking Gun it is no exaggeration.”

Gino Sassani, Upcomingdiscs.com

“It works to the extent that it does is due to the compelling lead performance by Wilder, who makes Bobby’s sweaty desperation fully convincing. His character’s downward career trajectory is by far the film’s most authentic element.”

Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter

“So what makes this film a must see independent film? The duality of symbolism existing throughout brought to life by a superb cast fulfilling the artistic vision of the screenwriter.”

Tammie Elkins, CurrentMovieReviews.com

“Wilder’s performance is quite strong.”

Keith Watson, Red Carpet Crash

“James Wilder (Bobby) brings the story to life…”

Stephanie Piche, Red Carpet Report TV