Jesse James was born in the southernmost region of California, a state located on the West Coast of the United States, to Shane and Jaime, his parents. His entry into the world of acting was facilitated by his father, who was in the process of having professional headshots taken. Shane, being the astute individual that he is, asked the photographer, who also happened to be a manager, to take photos of his son. The photographer, who was immediately struck by the vibrant personality of the young boy, agreed to do so and was subsequently impressed by Jesse's charm. This led to the photographer/manager signing Jesse to a contract, marking the beginning of his illustrious acting career.
Not long after, the 5-year-old Jesse, who was then characterized by his slender build and blonde hair, landed the role of "Spencer" in the 1997 film "As Good as It Gets", despite the character description calling for an "overweight red-headed 12-year-old". Jesse's remarkable performance in this film earned him the prestigious Hollywood Reporter Young Star Award in 1998, in the category of Best Performance by a Child Actor in a Comedy.
Jesse's portrayal of "Tommy Miller", a troubled teenager exhibiting violent tendencies, in the 2004 film "The Butterfly Effect", received widespread critical acclaim, further solidifying his reputation as a talented young actor. Since then, Jesse has continued to excel in his career, exploring the independent film community and establishing himself as a versatile and accomplished actor.