The people behind the film
James Mathers: biography & career
James Mathers (1936–2014) was an American actor and playwright who portrayed Harold in Kiss the Abyss (2012). His career crossed regional theatre, independent cinema and television.
Theatre and early creative work
James Mathers was born on October 31, 1936, in Seattle, Washington. He began his performing and writing career in San Francisco, working with regional theatre groups such as the Magic Theatre, Eureka Theatre and San Francisco Rep. He also participated in the Bay Area Playwrights Festival. During the 1970s he made educational and industrial films, working as a writer, director, editor and producer while continuing his work as a playwright and actor.
From New York theatre to screen work
Following his years in San Francisco, Mathers spent a substantial period in New York, where his theatre associations included the Manhattan Class Company and the Nat Horne Theater. He later relocated to Hollywood, building a portfolio of film and television performances. His screen credits include the horror film The Poughkeepsie Tapes (2007), in which he played Bernard Golinko, and the drama Me and You and Everyone We Know (2005). He also made television appearances on Cold Case, JAG and ER.
Harold in Kiss the Abyss
Mathers is credited as Harold in the cast of Ken Winkler’s Kiss the Abyss. The 2012 supernatural horror feature revolves around a young woman’s death and her return to life, a decision that creates terrifying complications. His supporting performance belongs to the film’s ensemble alongside Nikki Moore, Scott Wilson and Scott Mitchell Nelson. The credit is one of the later entries in his long acting career.
Distinguishing two James Mathers credits
This biography covers James Mathers (1936–2014), the actor credited as Harold in Kiss the Abyss, whose IMDb identifier is nm0558483. It does not describe James Michael Mathers, the living cinematographer and Digital Cinema Society founder listed under a separate IMDb identifier (nm0558484). Keeping the two careers distinct is essential for accurate cast information.
Selected filmography & credits
| Year | Project | Role / contribution |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Dr. Jekyll’s Dungeon of Death | Dr. Henry Jekyll |
| 2004 | Cold Case | Marvin Dobie (TV series) |
| 2005 | Me and You and Everyone We Know | Teacher |
| 2007 | The Poughkeepsie Tapes | Bernard Golinko |
| 2012 | Kiss the Abyss | Harold |
| 2013 | Ray Donovan | Priest (TV series) |
Frequently asked questions
Who plays Harold in Kiss the Abyss?
James Mathers (1936–2014) is credited as Harold.
Which James Mathers appears in the film?
The performer is the actor and playwright listed on IMDb as nm0558483, not the cinematographer with the same name.
What other films featured James Mathers?
His screen credits include The Poughkeepsie Tapes and Me and You and Everyone We Know.
Sources & further reading
Biographical details, character names and selected credits are cross-checked against the following publicly available records.
