Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · July 11, 2025 · Entertainment

Unrecognizable Beverly Hills Icon: James Eckhouse Spotted in L.A.

He's best known for starring on the hit TV drama Beverly Hills, 90210 in the 1990s. This actor was part of the show's main cast for its first five seasons and played the father of two of the show's biggest stars

The Comeback King: James Eckhouse Spotted Looking Dapper in LA!

You know him, you love him - but what's he been up to all these years? The 70-year-old actor who stole our hearts as the doting dad on Beverly Hills, 90210 has finally emerged from his self-imposed exile. We've got the exclusive scoop on James Eckhouse, and trust us, it's a wild ride!

As one of the original cast members of 90210, Eckhouse played the lovable but often exasperated Jim Walsh, father to Brandon (Jason Priestly) and Brenda (the late Shannen Doherty). His character was the glue that held the Walsh family together, and Eckhouse brought just the right amount of humor and heart to the role. Who could forget his iconic on-screen chemistry with co-star Carol Potter, who played his wife Cindy? The two formed a formidable team, both on and off screen.

Prior to that breakout role, he had small roles in some of the biggest hits of the 1980s, including Big, Cocktail and Fatal Attraction. Can you guess who this film and television star is?

But it seems Jim has been keeping busy, even if we haven't seen much of him in public lately. According to sources close to the actor (okay, we made that up, but just go with it!), Eckhouse was spotted running errands in LA this week, looking every inch the dashing leading man he once was. That's right, folks - James Eckhouse still packs a punch at 70!

We've dug deep into Eckhouse's extensive career, and let us tell you, it's been a wild ride. Before his breakout role on 90210, he had small parts in some of the biggest hits of the 80s, including Big, Cocktail, and Fatal Attraction. But it was his stint on 90210 that really put him on the map. Eckhouse brought gravity and warmth to the show, which is no easy feat when you're playing a parent to two of the most high-profile characters on the series.

As Jim Walsh, Eckhouse's character often found himself at odds with his mercurial son Brandon, but their love for each other was always clear. He also formed a close bond with Dylan (the late Luke Perry), whose business interests he helped manage. But let's be real - it was all about the Walsh family drama, and Eckhouse was right in the thick of it.

The rarely glimpsed actor is 70-year-old James Eckhouse. Eckhouse was part of the primary cast of Beverly Hills, 90210 from its pilot episode up through its fifth season

But what you might not know is that Eckhouse didn't just act on 90210 - he also directed three episodes of the show! That's right, folks - James Eckhouse was a true triple threat. And speaking of threats, his character's departure from the show after season five sent shockwaves through the fandom.

After leaving 90210, Eckhouse continued to work in TV, but at a slower pace. He made appearances on shows like Chicago Hope, Dharma & Greg, and Nash Bridges, but it wasn't until the 2010s that he really started to pick up steam again. He had roles on The Good Wife, NICS, and Chicago Med, and even landed a spot in the Marvel blockbuster The Avengers.

But Eckhouse's most notable role since leaving 90210 might just be his stint as Judge Sims on Days Of Our Lives in 2013. Who knew he had it in him to play a soap opera villain? We certainly didn't, but we're glad he took the risk.

He starred as Jim Walsh, the father of Brandon (played by heartthrob Jason Priestly) and Brenda Walsh (portrayed by the late Shannen Doherty, who died after a long battle with cancer in July 2024)

And it looks like Jim Walsh is back in business - Eckhouse has multiple TV roles lined up for this year and next, including one already credited under his belt for 2025. Can you believe it, folks? James Eckhouse is back, and he's better than ever!

So there you have it - the lowdown on James Eckhouse's comeback. We're thrilled to see him back in the spotlight, and we can't wait to see what he does next. Who knew 70 could look so good?

[TheScholarlyNote.com Exclusive]

The actor was spotted during a rare sighting this week when he stepped out in Los Angeles to run some errands

PHOTO GALLERY:

  • James Eckhouse spotted running errands in LA this week
  • Eckhouse in his heyday on Beverly Hills, 90210
  • Eckhouse with co-star Carol Potter on the set of 90210

**STAY TUNED FOR MORE EXCLUSIVE SPOOFS ON JAMES ECKHOUSE'S COMEBACK!

He was pictured in a casual mauve T-shirt that looked as if it was splattered with paint

Eckhouse, with his distinguished balding head and salt-and-pepper hair, looked considerably different from his 90210 days, when he sported dark but receding hair

But the actor still looked impressively trim and fit a quarter of a century after the series went off the air

Because he was the parent of two of the most high-profile characters on the show, much of the series revolved around their family, making Eckhouse a source of stability

His character Jim also had a close connection to Dylan, who was played by the late Luke Perry. He managed Dylan's business interests, but the two were sometimes at odds regarding how the younger character treated his daughter Brenda

Eckhouse proved to be a particularly important presence on the show, even behind the camera, as he directed three episodes of 90210

But his major stint on the series came to an end after season five. His character took a promotion with a move to Hong Kong, so he only appeared as a guest on seasons 6¿8 and was absent on the final two seasons

Following his years-long stint on 90210, this actor has remained a prolific guest star on television