[4] Before that first year was over, he returned home for a time and received training in animation at Hanna-Barbera studios in Hollywood, under the apprenticeship of Harry Love.

[12] In 1983, after living for a time in Madrid on his own, he had an encounter with actor Harvey Keitel and he decided to pursue acting, and moved to New York City.

[16] He worked as a man-on-the-street interviewer for banks, cars, retail chains and other clients, in spontaneous, off-the-cuff comedic campaigns that won dozens of industry awards.

[17] During those New York years (1983-1993) Jim studied and performed improv with several companies, chiefly INTERPLAY and did hundreds of live shows at the National Improvisational Theatre on Eighth Avenue, Chelsea.

[20] In 1993, he moved home to LA with his family to start a career in TV and film, beginning with Fresh Prince of Bel Air and a role in director Ron Howard’s Oscar-nominated Apollo 13.

[22][23] He appeared in an early episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air as professor Jeremy Mansfield, who was loosely modeled after Robin Williams' character in the film Dead Poets Society.

[26] He has appeared on major television programs; Friends, Fresh Prince of Bel Air, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, This is Us, SWAT, Hunters, NCIS, Parks & Recreation, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Young Sheldon, The Big Bang Theory, to name but a few.

[27][28] His character voices have been heard on a number of video games and animated shows including Star Trek: Resurgence, Marvel Avengers Assemble, Batman: Arkham Asylum, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Shaggy & Scooby-Doo Get a Clue!, Pinky and the Brain, Phineas and Ferb, Legend of Korra, Avatar: the Last Airbender, and two reboots of Thundercats.

"[34] He provided the voice of Colonel Harland Sanders for the KFC brand on radio, web and television ads for many years, starting in 2016.

[39] He appeared on "America's Got Talent" as a celebrity impressionist in 2013 and as a finalist performed at Radio City Music Hall, NYC, receiving a standing ovation.

[40][41] Since 2020, he has played roles on television in Gaslit with Sean Penn and Julia Roberts, Hunters, and as the recurring character of Cary Hubbard in Apple TV+'s The Big Door Prize, opposite Chris O'Dowd.