James Gregory Vaughan, Jr. was born in Dallas, Texas, and spent his formative years in both Dallas and Fredericksburg, Texas, graduating from Mesquite High School in 1991. He was a talented student-athlete who never shied away from showcasing his skills in school talent productions. At the age of 16, before graduating high school, he was discovered in a community back-to-school fashion show and was immediately signed up by a local modeling agent.
After high school, Vaughan ventured to Milan, Italy, where he landed prestigious campaigns for renowned fashion brands such as Giorgio Armani, Gianni Versace, Banana Republic, Tommy Hilfiger, and Ralph Lauren, all before the age of 21.
Vaughan's acting career began in 1996, when he made his television series debut as Josh Walker in the popular NBC series Malibu Shores, followed by a role in Beverly Hills 90210 as Cliff Yeager from 1996 to 1997. He then appeared in a few small independent films, including Poison Ivy & Children of the Corn V, and guest-starred in various television shows.
Spelling Entertainment soon created a role for Vaughan as a series regular, Dan Gordon, on Charmed from 1999 to 2000. He then landed the role of Milo Mosley in the pilot Kevin Williams, followed by his foray into Daytime drama as Diego on CBS's Young & the Restless, receiving a Daytime Best Newcomer nomination in 2001.
Vaughan's next major role was as Lucky Spencer on General Hospital from 2003 to 2009, a role that earned him widespread recognition and acclaim. He then appeared on the hit CW series 90210, followed by indie-film Borderline Murder, and guest spots on TNT's The Closer, ABC-Family Pilot Jane by Design, ABC series Good Christian Belles, and Fox's Lucifer.
Vaughan's talent did not go unnoticed, and he went on to secure leading roles in original television movies at the Hallmark Network, including Love's Christmas Journey, Second Chances, The Christmas Note, Valentine's Again & A Very Country Christmas.
He played the beloved character Eric Brady on Days of our Lives from 2012 to 2015, and then landed the role of Calvin, a married police officer and secret lover of Nova Bordelon in OWN's Queen Sugar, created and Executive Produced by director Ava DuVernay, with Oprah Winfrey as Executive Producer.
Upon completing his run on Queen Sugar, Vaughan returned to Days of our Lives, earning him a 2018 Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Series.
