James Marshall Napier was a New Zealand-born character actor, playwright, and graphic artist. He is known for a succession of strong supporting roles in Australasian films and television shows. He has also had a notable stage career. He was born on October 22, 1951, in Lower Hutt, New Zealand.
Marshall was related to Jessica Napier. Marshall was the father of Jessica. Jessica is an actress who started acting with her father when she was just nine years old.
Both Jessica and her father Marshall are vegetarians and support various animal rights foundations. She has also supported the use of the Taronga Zoo in Sydney for retired circus elephants.
Marshall was brought up in the city of Lower Hutt. He had his high school education at Hutt Valley High School. He also attended Wellington Polytechnic where he studied graphic design for one year. Marshall worked variously as a laborer, factory hand, and truck driver before becoming an actor. He landed his first professional acting job in 1975, at Wellington’s Downstage Theatre.
Marshall was married with three children, including Jessica Napier. In 1988, he moved with his wife and two young children to Australia, hoping to further his acting career. He soon became an established name in the film, theatre, and television. His play Freak Winds has been performed in Australia, New Zealand, the USA, and Canada; other plays have been broadcast on Australia’s ABC radio.
Marshall died from brain cancer on August 14, 2022, He was aged 70 at the time of his death.
