Son of Bill Paxton. Grandson of John Paxton. James Paxton was born and raised in Ojai, California. He studied British Film in London before studying at the Vincent Chase Workshop in Los Angeles, California. He starred in the USA Network drama series, Eyewitness, directed by Catherine Hardwicke and executive produced by Adi Hasak. He portrayed the character, Lukas Waldenbeck, alongside Julianne Nicholson and Tyler Young.