James Wilder Stars in New Thriller, "Three Holes and a Smoking Gun"

For anyone who may have forgotten what a powerful and versatile actor James Wilder is, just check out his latest role in the indie psychological thriller “Three Holes And A Smoking Gun.” For his stunning portrayal of a duplicitous washed up screenwriter, Wilder garnered not only a Best Lead Actor nod at the Red Dirt International Film Festival but glowing critical accolades. Wrote the London Film Review: “(Wilder delivers) an excellent performance and burns up the screen.” The film was also awarded the prestigious Grand Jury Prize at the Red Dirt International Film Festival and Best Screenplay honors at L.A.’s Downtown Film Festival.

The actor’s indelible portrayals include an ambitious lawyer in the Emmy Award-winning drama “Equal Justice” (co-starring Sarah Jessica Parker) and the charmingly sleazy drug dealing seducer in “Melrose Place.” His demonically authentic rendering of serial killer Carl Isaacs in the acclaimed Miramax film “Murder One” that led the New York Times to comment: “James Wilder, as Carl Isaacs, is a thoroughly malevolent character, one in whom evil rather than insanity seems to prevail.”

Wilder, however, is no one-trick pony. In fact, acting wasn’t even on his radar when he started out as a street performer in his native San Francisco and later in LA, New York, and Europe. Renowned for juggling three running chain saws as part of his perilous crowd-pleasing act, Wilder was only 14 when he performed at the legendary Moulin Rouge in his mother’s native Paris and was barely out of his teens when he staged a one-man show on Broadway. When Wilder did catch the acting bug he threw himself into it like everything else he does. He studied at the famed NY Actors Studio and quickly began getting high profile roles. At some point, however, the offers ceased being interesting and he turned his attention other of his many artistic pursuits.

Although not formally trained, he has become a formidable architect and designer who transformed a dozen empty lots throughout California into singularly unique residential art spaces that have attracted a stellar cast of celebrities and creative types. Over the years many of his properties-- collectively known as The Modern Villas -- have hosted long-term A-list tenants and served as sites for numerous photo shoots and exclusive events. One of his homes was even recognized by HGTV -- alongside a Frank Lloyd Wright property -- as among LA’s top three architectural gems. He also designs exclusive leather jackets and jewelry, refurbishes vintage furniture that he finds at auctions and flea markets, collects classic cars and commits to acting projects only when it inspires. “Three Holes And A Smoking Gun” is one such project.