James Olson

James Olson Profile Photo

Characters played by James Olson

Major General Franklin Kirby — Commando (1985)

Matrix's former superior who informs him of the mercenary threat and unit massacre.

Father Adamsky — Amityville II: The Possession (1982)

Catholic priest attempting to bless the Montelli home and combat demonic possession.

Dr. Mark Hall — The Andromeda Strain (1971)

Dr. Mark Hall is a surgeon and a central member of the Wildfire team. He enters Piedmont with Dr. Stone, retrieves the satellite, identifies why the two survivors lived, rescues Dr. Leavitt during a seizure, and reaches the control station to deactivate the nuclear self-destruct mechanism.

David — The Mafu Cage (1978)

David is Ellen's coworker at the Griffith Observatory and her romantic interest. He visits the house while Ellen is away, allowing Cissy to lure him into the mafu cage and study him as an anthropological subject before killing him during a ritual and burying his body in the garden.

Father — Ragtime (1981)

Father of the New Rochelle family who owns a factory. Initially reluctant but ultimately provides moral and legal support to Coalhouse Walker. He volunteers as a hostage during the library siege, survives, and stays behind while his wife leaves with Tateh.

Nick Kazlik — Rachel, Rachel (1968)

Nick is Rachel's former high-school classmate and now teaches at an inner-city school in the Bronx. During a short visit, he makes a sexual advance that Rachel initially rejects, then begins an affair with her. His reluctance to form a future relationship forces Rachel to confront the difference between desire and love.

Joe Billings — Wild Rovers (1971)

The banker targeted by Ross Bodine during the robbery, Joe Billings is taken into town at gunpoint while Frank Post holds his wife, Sada, hostage. Ross gives him part of the stolen money so Walter Buckman's other cowboys will still receive their pay, and Sada urges him not to report it.

Georges Ryman / Jacques Ryman — Crescendo (1970)

Georges Ryman / Jacques Ryman is a withdrawn and hostile member of the Ryman household whose life was changed by a tragic accident six years earlier. Once an athlete and tennis player, he reacts violently when Susan resembles Catherine, rejects Susan’s love, then secretly apologizes before unexpectedly walking again.

Glenn — The Spell (1977)

Glenn is Rita's father, from whom she is emotionally distant. He regards Rita negatively because of her appearance and later tells her that she will be sent away to a private school in London. He nearly dies when a supernatural hit-and-run attack forces him to leap out of the way, intensifying the family conflict.

Career Overview

James Olson has 57 screen credits in a career dating back to 1950. Their work spans 2 cinematic universes — most prominently Commando Collection with 1 titles. Signature works include Commando, Amityville II: The Possession, The Andromeda Strain. Explore the interactive character relationship maps on each title page to trace how their roles connect across franchises.

Personal Facts

Known For
Acting
Gender
male
Known Credits
57
Birth Date
1930-10-08
Birth Place
Evanston, Illinois, USA

Known For

Associated Universes

Universe traveler — spans 2 universes

Frequent Collaborators

Credits

Content sources

Related entry on Wikidata (Q1680915), public domain (CC0).