James Cornelius Kirkwood Sr. (February 22, 1876[1] – August 24, 1963) was an American actor and director.

In 1923, he married actress Lila Lee; with her, he had a son, James Kirkwood Jr., who became a successful writer, winning both a Tony Award and a Pulitzer Prize for A Chorus Line.

Their relationship ended after Minter became pregnant with Kirkwood's child and underwent an abortion.

[5] In 1931, he married actress Beatrice Powers, and had a daughter, Joan Mary Kirkwood, with her.

[6] He married Marjorie Davidson (1920–2008) in 1940, and had a son with her, Terrance Michael Kirkwood (born 1941).