James R. Black

James Richard Black (born April 3, 1962) is an American actor and former professional football player.

Early life
Black was born in Lima, Ohio. He played college football at the University of Akron and graduated with a bachelor's degree in music.

Athletics
In college Black was a standout tailback at the University of Akron, once setting an NCAA record for 52 carries in one game. He joined the NFL's Cleveland Browns as a running back. His NFL career was short-lived, however, and he eventually pursued a career as an actor.

Acting
Black may be best known for his leading role as Agent Michael Hailey on the UPN science fiction drama The Burning Zone. He has also had roles in numerous other television series and films. His television appearances include V.I.P., Fashion House, Anger Management, All of Us, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Strong Medicine, Tyler Perry's House of Payne, and Six Feet Under.

In motion pictures, he had the leading role of Victor Erickson in the 1998 direct-to-video film Cappuccino, the screenplay of which was based upon a story by author Eric Jerome Dickey. Black has also appeared in The Replacements, Out of Sight, Love and a Bullet, and Universal Soldier: The Return. He portrayed boxer Earnie Shavers in the HBO TV movie Don King: Only in America.