Jim Stark is primarily a stage actor. He teaches acting at Hanover College in southern Indiana, and is director of the Riverrun Theatre Company. Most of his acting credits fall within the genre of the "idiot man-child" as defined in the novels of William Faulkner, or in contemporary Irish plays by Marie Jones or Conor McPherson. He is affiliated with the Society of American Fight Directors, and is a Certified Teacher of stage combat. He is has two children. His daughter, Lily, began her professional acting career at the age of five. His son, Robert, composes electronic music.

Filmography