Lexington Comic & Toy Convention 2019

James Marsters

Friday, Saturday, & Sunday

JAMES MARSTERS became a favorite of fans around the world when he played the wildly popular Spike, a punk-goth vampire on the critically acclaimed American TV show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. After six seasons on Buffy, he continued the role of Spike on the equally popular spin-off, Angel. Not only a fan favorite, Marsters has attracted industry-wide attention for his work. He has received numerous nominations and awards, including the Spacey Award, the Saturn Award, the Cinescape Face of the Future Award, the Golden Satellite Award, and the Teen Choice Award.

Marsters has since returned to television, starring in the USA Original true-crime film, Cool Money, portraying Brainiac in the 2005-06 season of Smallville, and guest starring roles in The Mountain, Saving Grace and Without a Trace. Besides his television work, James also has two movies being released in 2007; Shadow Puppets, an independent thriller, and P.S. I Love You, a romantic love story starring Hilary Swank, Gerard Butler, and Kathy Bates due out in December, 2007. James's voiceover talents can be found on the recent DVD release of Superman: Doomsday, portraying Lex Luthor, and he continues to read for the very popular Dresden Files books on tape series.

Born in the remote northern logging town of Greenville, California, and raised in Modesto, Marsters knew he wanted to be an actor after making his debut as Eeyore in a fourth-grade production of Winnie-the-Pooh. After honing his skills through his high school drama department, he went on to further study at New York's prestigious Juilliard School.

Marsters began his professional theatrical career after a move to Chicago, performing in stage productions such as The Tempest and Red Noses at Chicago's renowned Goodman Theater. In addition to acting, he has also formed and run successful theater companies in both Chicago and Seattle. It was while living in Seattle that Marsters was locally cast to guest-star on the television series Northern Exposure, first as a hotel bellhop and then as Rev. Harding, an ill-at-ease priest. He was inspired by this success to move to Los Angeles. Within months he was sinking his proverbial teeth into the role of Spike in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Other television work includes a starring role in the anthology series Strange Frequency for VH1, as well as stand-out guest spots in Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda, and Chris Carter's Millennium. Other feature-film credits include The House on Haunted Hill, a co-starring role in Winding Roads, and the male lead opposite Buffy co-star Amber Benson in Chance, her debut as a writer-director. Marsters revisited the stage in 2000 with a starring role in The Why, an original play produced in Los Angeles by Noah Wyle.

Marsters is also a successful singer/songwriter who for two years was the front man of Ghost of the Robot, a band that enjoyed sold-out tours on an international level before disbanding in the spring of 2004. In October of 2004, Marsters' musical interests took yet another exciting turn as he discovered a new joy and talent in performing solo acoustic concerts of his own material. In conjunction with the release of his first solo album in 2005, Civilized Man, Marsters and fans enjoyed a triumphant solo tour of the UK and Australia, selling out every performance to enthusiastic crowds. He continues to perform both international tours as well as in US clubs whenever his schedule permits, usually managing quite a few each year and will release his much anticipated second CD in the fall of 2007.

When he's not working, Marsters enjoys being a father, playing the guitar, watching football, and spending time with friends at the beach.