James McEachin, veteran actor and decorated war hero passes away at 94

James McEachin, the Hollywood veteran known for his roles in classic television dramas and his contributions to military storytelling, has passed away. He was 94. News of his death comes over 5 months of his passing on January 11. The Hollywood Reporter states that the actor and war veteran was laid to rest in April at the Los Angeles National Cemetery.Born on May 20, 1930, in Rennert, North Carolina, and raised in Hackensack, New Jersey, McEachin led a remarkable life both on and off screen. At just 17, he enlisted in the US Army, serving two extended tours—including in Japan—before being wounded and left for dead in an ambush during the Korean War. His bravery earned him a Purple Heart and Silver Star, awarded in 2005.Before transitioning to acting, McEachin made his mark in the music industry, writing and producing songs for soul legend Otis Redding. His screen career took off in the 1970s when he starred as a detective in NBC’s Tenafly, part of the NBC Mystery Movie series, and later appeared in 18 Perry Mason television films. He also portrayed a liberal Supreme Court Justice in the 2002 CBS legal drama First Monday, alongside James Garner and Joe Mantegna.His 2006 short film Old Glory, which he wrote, produced, and starred in, became a favourite within the military community. In 2008, McEachin debuted his one-man stage play Above the Call; Beyond the Duty at the Kennedy Centre in Washington. McEachin's contributions extended beyond entertainment. In 2005, he was appointed a US Army Reserve Ambassador, engaging with veterans and active-duty soldiers across the country. He was also an accomplished author and published several books, including Tell Me a Tale: A Novel of the Old South (1996), Farewell to the Mockingbirds (1997), and his 2021 memoir Swing Low My Sweet Chariot: The Ballad of Jimmy Mack.McEachin’s wife of 57 years, Lois, passed away in 2017.