James Christopher Read was born on July 31, 1953, in Buffalo, New York.
His movie and TV career started in 1982 when he played one of the main roles in the Mai dire sì (1982) series as well as guest-starring in other different series. His most important career moment was in the year 1985 when he received the role of George Hazard in one of the most popular and successful mini-series ever in Nord e sud (1985) (although he had not been convinced if he should accept the role!). Before starting doing the show, Read has spent a few weeks at Patrick Swayze's ranch, where Swayze taught him to ride a horse. During his first month on Nord e sud (1985) set, Read met Wendy Kilbourne. They started dating, got married soon thereafter, and are still together to this day. In 1986, Read played Hazard once again in the Nord e sud (1985) sequel entitled Nord e sud II (1986). He reprised the role once again in 1994 in Heaven & Hell: North & South, Book III (1994).
