We have the pleasure of welcoming the multi-talented Jim Byrnes back to our HLWW conventions…
Jim is not just a veteran actor but one of the most respected musicians in his native Canada and far beyond. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri and grew up on the city’s north side with an innate respect for the blues scene that permeated the bars and night-life. By the age of thirteen, Jim was singing and playing blues guitar. His first professional gig was in 1964… a career that would eventually see him share the stage with the likes of Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker, Taj Mahal and Robert Cray… and another actor/musician, Roger Daltrey!
Though music would remain his first love, he enjoys acting. One of his breakthrough roles was as series regular ‘Lifeguard’ in Wiseguy (1987-1991). For six seasons he played Watcher Joe Dawson in Highlander: The Series (1992 – 1997) and reprised the role in the two subsequent feature films, Highlander: Endgame and The Source. He has also appeared in many other shows such as Sanctuary (as Gregory Magnus), Cold Squad, The ‘Net, Andromeda, the Twilight Zone, Hellcats and Jake 2.0
A respected voice actor he has also lent his tones to animated series such as X-Men: Evolution (as the voice of Nick Fury), Shadowraiders, Beast Machines: Transformers, RoboCop: Alpha Commando and joined with several of his Highlander family for the animated feature War of the Worlds: Goliath.
Jim has produced many outstanding albums covering the most heartfelt blues, including That River, My Walking Stick, Everywhere West, Fresh Horses and House of Refuge and – in 2012’s I Hear The Wind in the Wires album – early country classics.
A multi-award winner and nominee, he continues to tour to packed venues and we’re delighted he has managed to fit a return to HLWW into his busy schedule. When not on the road, Byrnes makes his home in Vancouver, BC where he moved to in the mid-70s…
