James McEachin

James McEachin's career in the entertainment industry began as a music producer and then moving into acting for film and television, largely in supporting parts as good, upstanding citizens.

He served in the Army during the Korean War, one of only two men in his company to survive an ambush (for which he was decorated with the Purple Star). After the war, he moved to California and found success producing records, using the name Jimmy Mack and working with such talents as Otis Redding and The Furys.

Dropping the music business to pursue acting, he soon landed a contract with Universal and began making regular appearances on such shows as "Mannix" and "Hawaii Five-O," often as trustworthy cops or lawyers. Supporting roles in films followed, including the John Wayne Western "The Undefeated" and the Clint Eastwood psychological drama "Play Misty for Me."

In 1973, he had the lead part on the detective series "Tenafly," a rarity for an African-American at the time. The show didn't last a full season, but McEachin continued to find steady work in films and TV series, including a recurring role as Lieutenant Ed Brock in nearly every "Perry Mason" TV movie of the '80s and '90s.

In 2007, he wrote, produced, and starred in "Old Glory," a patriotic short video that led to his solo play, "Above the Call; Beyond the Duty," both productions featuring McEachin as the Old Solder.