What Do We Know About James Olson?
This semi-obscure, blond (but balding) actor was in a lot of TV shows in the late '60s and '70s, and he had starring roles in the films Rachel, Rachel and The Andromeda Strain. Probably his last really good role was as Father in Ragtime (1981).
I find him weirdly hot despite a not-gorgeous face and receding hairline. He had a fantastic body, especially for the times: tall, lean but with great muscle tone. And his voice was strangely hypnotic.
I'm asking about him because there is ZERO info about him online. Date of birth, college he attended, professional credits which end abruptly in 1990 (when he was only 60). That is IT. Nothing about family, relationships, or what the hell happened in 1990 to make him suddenly stop working.
Was he family? Could he have died with nobody knowing? Did he return to his home planet? Anybody have ANYthing on this enigma?
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 22 | May 9, 2020 12:50 AM
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Ah, yes...I remember him. I used to think he was sexy.
by Anonymous | reply 1 | May 7, 2020 2:19 PM
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Yes, I know. That's mentioned in the original post. But what else? How can a formerly public figure have so little info available? Did he have family, relationships, where did he live, why did he suddenly stop acting while relatively young?
by Anonymous | reply 3 | May 7, 2020 2:32 PM
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Unrelated to Mary-Kate and Ashley.
by Anonymous | reply 4 | May 7, 2020 2:40 PM
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Travalanche asked the same question in 2017.
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 6 | May 7, 2020 3:00 PM
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This site gives his birthdate as 8 October 1930.
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 7 | May 7, 2020 3:01 PM
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I like that site at R6. He seems like a DLer, or DL-adjacent.
by Anonymous | reply 8 | May 7, 2020 3:16 PM
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He's sexy for a scrawny, bald, gaunt, moon-faced man of a certain age.
by Anonymous | reply 9 | May 7, 2020 3:18 PM
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The brief glimpse of his hairy body in The Andromeda Strain meant a lot to 15-year-old me.
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 11 | May 7, 2020 4:02 PM
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I'm trying to find a clip where he is speaking...I remember him having a good speaking voice, like James Rebhorn or Jeff Goldblum.
But maybe I've got the wrong guy?
by Anonymous | reply 12 | May 7, 2020 4:08 PM
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[quote] How can a formerly public figure have so little info available? Did he have family, relationships, where did he live, why did he suddenly stop acting while relatively young?
That's the beauty of life before the internet and we got all inside everyone's business. Good for James! Please remain a mystery. But I'm sure some asswipe will create a biography out of thin air...
by Anonymous | reply 13 | May 7, 2020 4:11 PM
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I thought I was the only one who found him sexy. I used to watch The Andromeda Strain when it ran on television just to catch those nearly nude glimpses.
by Anonymous | reply 14 | May 7, 2020 4:19 PM
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Having had a crush on him myself, I just googled "What happened to James Olson." The only clue I found was a 2007 Google Groups (I remember when it was Usenet!) post by the actor Jim Beaver, who said that he vaguely recalled being told that Olson had retired because of a chronic illness.
by Anonymous | reply 15 | May 7, 2020 4:21 PM
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R15 How sad. He must have been without family but he might have had friends who are still around...
by Anonymous | reply 16 | May 7, 2020 4:32 PM
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Oh, no, R17. I hope that wasn't him...but probably was. Dammit, he was too hot to die before 70.
R12 Yes, he had a wonderful, mellifluous speaking voice. Soft-spoken but intense, somewhat like Goldblum.
by Anonymous | reply 18 | May 7, 2020 4:42 PM
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I think he's still alive and acting because I just saw his Little House episode yesterday!
by Anonymous | reply 20 | May 8, 2020 11:15 PM
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He looked healthy and robust in a recently aired episode of Wonder Woman too!
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 21 | May 9, 2020 12:43 AM
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He had a supporting role not a starring role in Rachel, Rachel.
by Anonymous | reply 22 | May 9, 2020 12:50 AM
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