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April 2, 2026, 5:10 a.m. ET
From comedians Matt Rife and Conan O’Brien to popstar Taylor Swift, it is no secret that celebrities love to live in the Ocean State.
However, Rhode Island is not only home for celebrities once they become famous, but also a producer of many famous talents, from actors to reality stars to musicians.
One such celebrity that calls the Ocean State home is critically acclaimed actor James Woods. Known for “Once Upon a Time in America,” “Salvador” and “Hercules,” James Woods has won numerous awards throughout her career, and that record-breaking career started right here in Rhode Island.
Here are five things to know about Rhode Island’s own James Woods.
1. James Woods grew up in Warwick
Though he was born in Utah, James Woods grew up in Warwick, Rhode Island. He attended Pilgrim High School, graduating near the top of his class in 1965.
2. James Woods went to MIT
After high school, Woods attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he studied political science, according to his Hollywood Walk of Fame bio. Woods also pursued acting during college, appearing in various plays at MIT, Harvard and the Theatre Company of Boston.
In fact, Woods has said that he became an actor largely due to the influence from Tim Affleck, the father of Ben and Casey Affleck, who was a stage manager at the theater company while Woods was at MIT. James Woods ultimately left MIT before graduation to pursue acting in New York.
3. James Woods began his acting career on Broadway
James Woods made his Broadway debut in a 1970 production of “Borstal Boy” at the Lyceum Theater. He spent the first few years of his professional career in theater, also appearing in “The Trial of the Catonsville Nine,” “Moonchildren” and “Finishing Touches.”
4. James Woods is a two-time Emmy winner
After a few years on Broadway, James Woods landed a breakout role as Gregory Powell in “The Onion Field.” Woods has appeared in numerous other films since then, including “Once Upon a Time in America,” “Casino,” “Salvador,” “The Virgin Suicides” and “Hercules,” as well as TV shows such as “Shark,” “The Simpsons” and “Family Guy.”
Along with countless other nominations and awards, James Woods has been recognized for his work with two Primetime Emmy awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special – one for “Promise” in 1987, and another for “My Name is Bill W.” in 1989.
5. James Woods is known for his outspoken political views
Throughout his career, James Woods has not only made a name for himself in film and TV, but also in politics. A longtime Republican, Woods has been very vocal about his support for President Trump, calling him the greatest president “certainly in my lifetime” in a Feb. 28 X post. He has also criticized opponents of the president, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
In March 2026, Woods announced he is “done with the Republican Party.” In a post on X from March 8, Woods said that he has been a registered Republican since former President Bill Clinton was in office, but would be changing his party affiliation to Independent due to frustrations with the Republican Party.
“I will NEVER vote for a Democrat in my life, but the RINO elements destroying the Republican party are a disgrace. I am a devout follower of President Trump, and as a registered Independent will continue to vote with Republicans when they stand behind this great President and act like Republicans again,” reads the post.
Bailey Allen of the USA TODAY Network contributed to this report.
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https://www.providencejournal.com/story/entertainment/local-celebrity/2026/04/02/actor-james-woods-is-from-rhode-island-5-things-to-know-about-him/89312683007/
Catherine Messier
Almontather Rassoul
