Here is the rewritten biography of Hawthorne James:
Hawthorne James was born on the south side of Chicago, surrounded by loving and supportive parents, Robert and A.M. Alene. He began his academic journey in Catholic school, but later moved to Michigan, where he excelled as an honor student in a public school. However, this transition was not without its challenges.
Hawthorne's father, who was a remarkable individual, played a significant role in his life. Tragically, he passed away just two months after Hawthorne began attending Holy Cross Jr. College, where he had been accepted by Brother John Driscoll. Despite this setback, Hawthorne found solace in his studies and began to excel academically once again.
He went on to receive a Bachelor's Degree in Theater from the University of Notre Dame and a Master's degree in Theater from the University of Michigan. Hawthorne's passion for theater led him to teach at Illinois State University before deciding to pursue a career in acting in Hollywood.
In Hollywood, Hawthorne found success in various roles, including Big Red Davis in the 1991 film The Five Heartbeats and Sam, the bus driver, in Speed. He also portrayed Victor Romero in the film Heaven's Prisoners, alongside Badja Djola and Alec Baldwin.
Hawthorne's early days in Hollywood were marked by his commitment to the Inner City Cultural Center, where he performed on stage for free, driven by his love for the art. He also held various jobs, including a Mailroom Clerk at ITC and a Post-Production Driver at TriStar Pictures.
Within three months of joining TriStar, Hawthorne rose through the ranks to become an executive in the Post-Production Department, where he learned the ins and outs of filmmaking under the guidance of Jim Potter. He also edited several films, including No Mercy and Rambo II, although his contributions went uncredited.
Hawthorne's directing career began with a few MasterCard commercials, before he was hired by Teriq Alexander to direct his first feature film, The Stick Up Kids. He also wrote and directed the film Remember Me?, a project close to his heart.
Throughout his career, Hawthorne has appeared in numerous films and television shows, including Disco Godfather, Penitentiary II, I'm Gonna Git You Sucka, Hood of Horrors, The Doors, Cheers, Amazing Stories, and Stir Crazy. He has also made guest appearances on popular TV shows, such as Seven, NYPD Blue, and Frasier.
As an advocate for youth education, Hawthorne travels to YTS and prisons to inspire and encourage the incarcerated, believing that "I won't be free until you be free." He has also been a vocal advocate for honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Day, and his efforts ultimately led to the motion picture studios recognizing the holiday.
Hawthorne James is an iconic figure in the entertainment industry, and his legacy continues to inspire new generations of artists and actors.
