James Michael Cummings is a renowned artist with a three-decade-long career in the entertainment industry, earning a reputation for his exceptional understanding of the development process, from transforming a "good idea" into entertainment for both big and small screens.
With his keen eye for spotting talent and intuitive instincts for knowing what makes a good story, Cummings has honed his skills to be more than just a one-note producer. Instead, he's an all-around force of nature, contributing every step of the way, from conceptualizing a marketable idea, to script development, securing financing, distribution, marketing, publicity, and beyond.
Cummings has worked alongside and learned from industry icons such as Academy Award-nominated director and cinematographer Andrzej Bartkowiak, producers Gale Anne Hurd, director M. Night Shyamalan, and director/actor John Shea, and Warner Brothers' studio executive Jim Cardwell.
He has had a hand in various capacities on a number of successful film projects, including The Sixth Sense, The Fighter, Diamond Men, and The Taking of Pelham 1,2,3. Cummings also produced the award-winning war documentary Baker Boys: Inside the Surge and played a vital role in the development and sale of Comedy Central's primetime breakout hit Work-a-holics.
In 2016, James played Detective Marty Maloney in John Shea's film, Grey Lady, produced by Armyan Bernstein and Suzann Ellis, starring Eric Dane, Amy Madigan, and Natalie Zea.
James began his career studying acting at the prestigious HB Studios and The Lee Strasberg Theatre Institutes in New York City and Los Angeles. After landing roles in films such as The Compulsion and Sundance favorite Ed's Next Move, Cummings co-wrote, co-produced, and co-starred in Southie with Donnie Wahlberg, Rose McGowan, Lawrence Tierney, and Amanda Peet.
Southie became the first movie to be shot entirely in South Boston and quickly became a film festival favorite before Lionsgate bought the rights, releasing it theatrically as the film went on to do good business, running on HBO for three years before earning its status as a cult movie classic.
James is currently finishing three feature films: Year 2 with Frank Grillo, Not Another Church Movie, which he produced and co-directed, and Dweller, a horror film he produced with his company Monty The Dog Productions, with lifelong friend Seamus P. Fitzgerald.
At the height of James' rising career, his youngest brother Dan broke his neck in a tragic diving accident. Dan's life was touch and go while spending six weeks in intensive care. Inspired by Dan's will to walk again, James committed to help his brother and together they worked and raised the necessary funds, co-founding a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization, Journey Forward (http://journeyforward.org/).
The foundation is dedicated to bettering the lives of those who are suffering from paralysis. Mr. James Cummings currently serves on the Board of Directors.
James Michael Cummings resides in New York and Los Angeles.
