James McCaffrey has passed away after a battle with cancer. A representative of the actor told TMZ he died on December 17, surrounded by family and friends. Furthermore, the 65-year-old had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma which is cancer of the plasma (white blood) cells.
McCaffrey’s Early Years and Career
He was born on Nov. 30, 1958, in Belfast, Northern Ireland and raised in Albany, New York. After graduating from high school he attended the University of New Haven on three scholarships. The scholarships were for football, baseball, and Fine Arts.
Furthermore, he moved to Boston, Massachusetts after graduating from college. There, he earned a living as a graphic designer, artist, and commercial art director. While he is known for the voice of Max Payne on a video game, his legacy as an actor stretches across dozens of TV and movie roles.
McCaffrey’s first major role was in the TV show “New York Undercover.” Then, he was the lead actor in the show “Viper.” Moreover, he had small roles on the TV shows “As the World Turns” and “Swift Justice.”
Other Career Highlights
However, it wasn’t until McCaffrey performed in the hit series “Rescue Me,” that his name hit mainstream. In this show he played a deceased firefighter named Jimmy Keefe and appeared in 55 episodes. Although, he gained popularity in the gaming world in 2001 when he first became the voice of Max Payne.
Additionally, the actor appeared in films such as “The Truth About Cats & Dogs” and “American Splendor.” He also held roles on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “Sex and the City,” and “Jessica Jones.”
Besides “Max Payne,” McCaffrey loaned his voice for other video games. Such as “Alan Wake 2” and “Control.” Furthermore, since 1987, he had been a member of “The Actors Studio.” Additionally, from 1992 to 1999, he was the co-owner of “The Workhouse Theatre,” located in Tribeca, New York City.
Gone But Not Forgotten
After news of his death broke, fans, friends, coworkers, and others took to social media to pay their respects. Many shared memories they had of the late actor, some shared their favorite shows, movies, and games they liked him best in. All, sent prayers to his family.
McCaffrey was a beloved friend, husband, and father. He leaves behind his wife Rochelle Bostrom and their daughter Tiernan McCaffrey. May he rest in peace and his loved ones find solace.
By Sheena Robertson
Sources:
TMZ: ‘Max Payne’ Voice Actor James McCaffrey Dead at 65 After Cancer Battle
IMDb: James McCaffrey
Legacy: James McCaffrey (1958–2023), Rescue Me, Max Payne actor
Featured Image Courtesy of Hery Zo Rakotondramanana‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Joshua Livingston‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
