Steve James (February 19, 1952 – December 18, 1993) was an American actor, stunt performer and martial artist.

James also portrayed Kung Fu Joe in the 1988 comedy/spoof film I'm Gonna Git You Sucka, and its 1990 television pilot spinoff Hammer, Slammer, & Slade.

He graduated from Power Memorial Academy in 1970, then attended C. W. Post College as an Arts and Film major.

In 1984, James acted in John Sayles's critically acclaimed film science-fiction comedy The Brother from Another Planet, starring Joe Morton.

[5] With fellow thespians Darryl Edwards, Ren Woods, and Bill Cobbs, they play barflies.

[7] In 1985, he had a co-starring role alongside Michael Dudikoff in Sam Firstenberg's martial arts action film American Ninja.

He played Kung Fu Joe in the 1988 spoof comedy film I'm Gonna Git You Sucka and reprised his role in the television pilot Hammer, Slammer & Slade (1990).

[12] In it James plays a black army officer who escapes prison and ends up in small town filled with racists.

He was going to audition to play Jax in the Mortal Kombat film; however, his death caused the studio to have Gregory McKinney replace him.