James is an international/national/regional entertainment critic and features writer who has written for several major newspapers and magazines. He has interviewed hundreds of celebrities including Hugh Grant, Catherine Denueve, Isabelle Huppert, Julie Andrews, Debbie Reynolds, Robert Wagner, Leonardo DiCaprio, Mel Gibson, Betty Buckley, Faith Hill, Kurt Russell, Kristen Scott Thomas and Kate Winslet, among others.
A graduate of New York University, he holds a B.A degree in Journalism and Theatre. At the Washington Square campus, he studied journalism with Clive Barnes and Vincent Canby of “The New York Times” and Joy Gould Boyum of “The Wall Street Journal.” He studied theatre, acting, design and play production with actress Marian Primont, Stephen Palestrant and Broadway producer Emanuel Azenberg.
In March, 2012, he launched his first online entertainment column “From the Desk of Jim R,” which, to date, has generated six additional columns: “Take 2,” “Broadway/ National Tour,” “Dining Out, A to Z,” “London,” “The UK Soaps” and “At the Movies.” In May 2021, his newest column “This, That & the Other” made its online debut. Presently, the 8 -part series has a combined readership of 5.7 million.
Various “From the Desk of Jim R” reviews and features are also being showcased exclusively on many of the HamletHub websites including Ridgefield, Westport, Darien, Redding, Cos Cob, Danbury, Southbury, Bethel, Milford, Wilton, Newtown, Redding. New Milford, Brookfield, etc. HamletHub “Facebook” and “Twitter” pages also showcase Mr. Ruocco’s work .
As an actor, James has appeared in over 60 plays and musicals including lead roles in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” “Private Lives,” “A Doll’s House,” “The Importance of Being Earnest,” “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie,” “The Odd Couple,” “Barefoot in the Park,” “Sweet Charity,” “California Suite,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” “Blithe Spirit” and “Hello, Dolly!”
James is also an active participant on “Facebook,” “Twitter,” “Instagram,” “Tumblr” and “Pinterest.” In his spare time, he enjoys International Rugby, Travel, Dining Out and reading both “The London Times” and “The New York Times.”