James Coburn was the epitome of cool in classic Hollywood — tall, rugged, and effortlessly charismatic.
With his distinctive voice and tough-guy persona, he carved out a legendary career in film and television, starring in hits like The Magnificent Seven, The Great Escape, Our Man Flint, and later earning an Academy Award for his powerful role in Affliction (1997).
Coburn’s screen presence was magnetic, but behind his steely eyes and gravelly charm was a devoted father who had a close, lasting bond with his only son, James H. Coburn IV.
Born in 1961 to Coburn and his first wife Beverly Kelly, James H. Coburn IV grew up with a front-row seat to the golden age of his father’s career.
Despite the fame, Coburn was known to keep his personal life relatively private, preferring to raise his son away from the chaos of Hollywood. Still, young James was drawn to the world of entertainment — not necessarily to follow in his father’s on-screen footsteps, but to make his mark in a creative space of his own.
As an adult, James H. Coburn IV became a screenwriter and director. In 2002, shortly after his father’s death, he directed and co-wrote American Gun, a drama starring James’ longtime friend Donald Sutherland.
The film was both a personal and creative project, and it was dedicated to his father’s memory. Through it, he explored themes like loss, legacy, and the complicated ties between generations — subjects he understood intimately as the son of a Hollywood icon.
Though he hasn’t pursued a high-profile career in front of the camera, James H. Coburn IV has continued working behind the scenes, developing screenplays and creative projects. He’s also been involved in managing his father’s estate and preserving James Coburn’s legacy in film history. Much like his father, he values authenticity and artistic integrity, traits that reflect the Coburn family ethos.
James Coburn passed away in 2002 at the age of 74, but his legacy lives on not only through his enduring films but also through his son. James H. Coburn IV may not seek the limelight, but he carries forward his father’s spirit — blending creativity, reflection, and quiet strength in his work and life.
