A multifaceted creative force, he embarked on a remarkable journey, effortlessly transitioning between the stage and screen. His illustrious career commenced as an actor, with small play appearances preceding his notable role in the 1963 film Greenwich Village Story, which remained his sole film credit.
As a film producer, he made his debut in 1964 with The Strangler, followed by a string of successful projects, including The Boston Strangler (1968),the Academy Award-winning The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969),Myra Breckinridge (1970),Travels with My Aunt (1972),Ace Eli and Rodger of the Skies (1973),Mame (1974),and The Abdication (1974). By 1975, he returned to the theatre, producing the iconic musical "Chicago", directed by Bob Fosse, which later inspired the Oscar-winning film adaptation in 2002.
In 1986, he rebranded himself as James Hicks and ventured into screenwriting, penning films such as The Morning After (1986),directed by Sidney Lumet; the real-life drama Chattahoochee (1989); and the suspenseful Defenseless (1991).
Throughout his life, he was married to Michael Markgraf from 1978 until his passing.
