James Eckhouse

Actor and director James Eckhouse is best known as Jim Walsh, father of Brandon and Brenda on the '90s hit teen drama series "Beverly Hills, 90210." After graduating from MIT, Eckhouse began building a career by appearing in a string of regional theater productions and taking small roles in hit movies, including the thriller "Fatal Attraction" and the blockbuster comedies "Trading Places" and "Big." On "Beverly Hills, 90210," Eckhouse played the culture-shocked head of the Minnesotan Walsh family with a mix of lightheartedness and unsettled concern. He was brought on at the beginning of the series and stayed on board until 1998. After leaving the series, he played a recurring character on the ABC drama "Once and Again," directing some episodes as well. A versatile and adaptable actor, Eckhouse has maintained a busy work schedule, popping up in single episodes on a multitude of television dramas including "Touched by an Angel," "The West Wing," and "Boston Legal."