16 Magazine (February, 1980)
"See Roller Boogie and you'll know why they call this sexy skater
'flash" -- Jim's pearly white smile and sparkling blue
green eyes are brighter than star shine and his
moves are lightening quick! Who would
have thought that roller skating could lead to a role in a red-hot movie with
Linda Blair--the lead role, no less? Certainly not Jim--he'd never acted before
(ifya' don't count school plays!) but he figured that being a 10-time champion
might get him some stunt work in the film. Imagine his surprise and
excitement when he learned he'd won the part of "Bobby James"--flips 'n spins
weren't all he'd be doing for the cameras!
"18-year-old Jim has loved being the
spotlight ever since he started skating at age 5, and Hollywood was a fantasy
come true--he's back home in quiet Ontario, California, now but he plans to make
more movies now that the acting bug's bit! Skating is still his first love,
though--Jim still practices a lot and he hopes to own his own roller rink (or a
chain of 'em) so he can turn others on to the sport--he'd also love to produce
and perform in a touring skate show some day, a kind of Ice Capades
on wheels!
"But don'tcha go thinking that he's a one-sport guy--5'11, 165lb Jim is an avid skier (snow and water), tennis player, and surfer, and he used to play on basketball, football, and baseball teams at school! You can see how much Jim loves to Roller Boogie in the flick, but he digs dancing without the wheels, too--in fact, a nearby hill top disco is one of his favorite datin' spots! Lady-lovin' Jim would drive you there in his black n'gold Fiat or to the beach for a twilight barbecue, and sharing a quiet dinner and a movie would be relaxin' change for this active guy! He goes for a sharp-dressin', outgoing girls with lots of interests--and if some of 'em match his that's terrific! Love animals? Jim got 2 cats and a mischievous raccoon named 'Buckwheat'! Like Supertramp, Mork & Mindy, and the color blue? So does Jim, and he'd love it if you write and tell him!"