Biography
James Hal Hardy was born & raised in Boise, Idaho of the Pacific Northwest where he developed a passion for the outdoors through hiking & skiing in the Rocky Mountains, rope-swinging into the Boise River, and causing general mischievousness throughout his teens. His mother was a schoolteacher, and his father was a mathematician. They divorced and she remarried his stepfather. He is one of five brothers (one blood brother, and the other three are step-brothers). He still keeps a tight bond with his brothers and family. His father passed away in May 27th, 2013.
James graduated from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. Upon graduation, he worked for a heavy civil construction company. There he worked long days while moonlighting as an actor studying with casting director Faith Hibbs-Clark at night. One (117°F) summer day in Phoenix, AZ he packed his U-Haul, drove to LA and began his journey as an actor.
James was able to find early success when he was hired to model for the hit show "Syfy's: Face Off." For 6 seasons, he was able to embody all sorts of creatures including a renegade cyborg, a merciless pirate, a sleepy Dr. Suess character, and many more. He studied Meisner Theory at the famed Playhouse West in North Hollywood, scene study at Adapt Acting, and continues to develop his craft with private coaches. James has adapted a "continuous improvement" mindset towards his acting career. "It's the actor's job to strive for one hundred percent effectiveness. Naturally, we never succeed, but it's the pursuit...that's meaningful." - Trudy Fraser from "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood."
James was hired to NBC's award winning show "Hollywood Game Night." He has since played the historical figure, Jedediah Smith in the TV show "Into the Wild Frontier," been a co-star opposite Carly Chaikin from Mr. Robot in the movie "Social Animals," starred as "Stu," the troubled gamer in the indie comedy "Tournament" and has starred or guest-starred for these television shows: The Inspectors, Murder Book, My Crazy Ex, My Haunted House, Codes and Conspiracies, My Crazy Sex, Betrayed, Mr. Mercedes, Deadly Sins, Evil Things, Blood Relatives, Laff Mobb's Laff Tracks, and many more. He continues to pursue acting roles that help him understand the human condition from interesting and new perspectives.
James has a passion for martial arts, training in various styles at the World Famous "House of Champions" in Los Angeles, CA. He also has a daily yoga practice and continues to backpack through whatever mountains he can find.
