James Patrick Stuart is an actor and singer who got his start as an 11-year-old on ABC’s Galactica 1980 before going on to notable ABC soap opera roles like Will Cortlandt on All My Children and Valentin Cassadine on General Hospital.
Born in Los Angeles on June 16, 1968, the actor originally went by the name Patrick Stuart, which he later changed it to James Patrick Stuart to avoid confusion with Star Trek actor Patrick Stewart.
Stuart’s parents, Chad and Jill Stuart, were English immigrants. His father was one-half of the 1960s British Invasion duo Chad & Jeremy, which led to Stuart spending much of his childhood in recording studios. The apple didn't fall far from the proverbial tree: by the age nine, Stuart received his first drum set, and by the age of fourteen, he was recording with Chad. However, he put his main focus into acting and received his first credit in 1980 playing Dr. Zee in the television series Galactica 1980.
That early role led to a long list of credits, including films like 1990’s Pretty Woman, 1993’s Gettysburg, 1996’s Sliders, 2003’s Gods and Generals, and 2008’s Jack Rio; as well as TV series like The Simple Life, Seinfeld, JAG, Andy Richter Controls the Universe, CSI The Closer, 90210, and Supernatural.
Stuart landed his first daytime role in 1989, when he stepped into the shoes of complicated All My Children character Will Cortlandt, who had previously been played by Lonnie Quinn. Stuart stayed with the ABC soap opera until 1992 and didn’t return to the genre until 2016, when he joined General Hospital as Valentin Cassadine. He was originally asked to stay at GH just long enough to kill off fan favorite Nicholas Cassadine (then Tyler Christopher), but his popularity rose after Valentin bedded Nina Reeves (then Michelle Stafford), and the rest is soap history.
In addition to his screen work, Stuart is a successful voice actor who can be heard in video games like Cars, The Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts, Spider-Man: Web of Shadows, Disney Magic Kingdoms, and Call of Duty: Ghosts. He also voices characters in cartoons like Blaze and the Monster Machines, Lego Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures, and The Penguins of Madagascar.
When not filming or doing voiceover work, you will find Stuart in his recording studio. In 2019 he released his first album, The Apple Tree, as a tribute to his father.
Stuart has been married to Jocelyn Jane Stilwell since September 9, 2000. They have two sons: Graham Parker Stuart (born May 18, 2002) and Colin (birth date unknown).
General Hospital
Valentin Cassadine
July 11, 2016 to Present
All My Children
Will Cortlandt
1989 to 1992; 1994
BIRTHDATE: June 16, 1968
BIRTHPLACE: Hollywood, California
HEIGHT: 5’ 11”
SPOUSE: Jocelyn Jane Stilwell
CHILDREN: Two sons, Graham and Colin
PARENTS: Chad and Jill Stuart
SIBLINGS: Beth (older sister) and Andrew (younger brother)
