Great Concordian: James Tupper, acclaimed actor

James Tupper, BFA 92, has captivated audiences with his compelling performances on stage and screen.

Born in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, the actor’s childhood was marked by a deep connection to the natural world.

“The province is so wide open and connected to the ocean,” he reflects. “It was a wondrous place for a kid to dream and to commune with nature.”

Tupper’s early life was also influenced by significant personal challenges, including the loss of his mother at a young age. This experience instilled in him a profound sense of resilience and empathy, qualities that have informed his acting career.

At Concordia’s Faculty of Fine Arts, Tupper’s passion for theatre flourished.

“The Department of Theatre offered a space to explore and expand my understanding of acting in ways I hadn’t imagined before,” Tupper remarks. “My days were spent in the studio, and after classes I was immersed in Montreal’s arts and culture scene.”

After graduating, Tupper completed an MFA at Rutgers University in New Jersey and soon made his mark in off-Broadway theatre.

This eventually led to notable roles on network television, such as Jack Slattery on ABC’s Men in Trees, Dr. Chris Sands on NBC’s Mercy and David Clarke on ABC’s Revenge.

A major highlight of Tupper’s career was his role in the Emmy Award-winning HBO drama Big Little Lies. The star-studded cast featured Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Zoë Kravitz and Laura Dern.

In his performance as Nathan Carlson, Tupper had the opportunity to work closely with two figures whose Concordia connections run deep: cinematographer and fellow Great Concordian Yves Bélanger, BFA 84, and Jean-Marc Vallée.

Tupper admired the late director’s sense of humanity on and off the set.

“Jean-Marc’s films, like C.R.A.Z.Y. and Wild, had a huge impact on me,” says Tupper.

“His approach to his craft was the highest example of the ethos I grew up with — that we cannot be defined by external things, and that you can look deep into someone’s soul and find a true, lasting compassion.”

While Tupper has enjoyed much success throughout his career, he remains grounded and committed to finding roles that align with his artistic vision.

“I still audition a lot, because while I get offered jobs, they’re not always the jobs that I necessarily want,” says the Great Concordian. “But the good thing about acting is nobody can make you retire — and I don’t think I ever will.”

When you reflect on your time as a Concordia student, what stands out?

James Tupper: It was a period of tremendous personal growth and self-discovery.

You’re discovering a deeper source of your own energy — the thing that lives inside of you. It’s not about imitating anything you’ve seen, it’s about drawing from your own life experiences, the pain and the wisdom you’ve gained. Concordia opened all that up for me.

Montreal is still my favourite city in the world. I even bought an apartment there and I have so many great friends from that time.

What are some of the factors that have enabled your success?

JT: Concordia was great because even though they said they weren’t a conservatory program, they essentially trained us like one. We had acting, movement, dance, singing, and then did theater productions in the evenings. By the end of it, I felt ready for a professional career.

Another key factor was my experience with the show Men in Trees. I had this big audition where the director, James Mangold, gave me a crucial piece of advice. He whispered, ‘Hey, James, it’s theatre.’ That resonated with me.

Beyond that, I tried different approaches, whether it was changing my audition strategies, working with coaches or adapting my style based on constructive feedback. I’ve always tried to be open to experimenting and learning from every experience.

What advice do you have for students who may want to follow in your footsteps?

JT: I’ve met a lot of talented people in my career, but not everyone makes it. I realized that success often comes down to adaptability. I didn’t have a fixed idea about how to succeed. If something didn’t work, I tried something else. You have to be willing to adjust your approach. Whether it’s how you present yourself, how you audition or even how you manage your career, be open to different methods.

Most importantly, keep working on your connection to the material. Don’t lose sight of your own creativity, and make sure your soul is rich and your friendships are real. That’s what will sustain you.

How does it feel to be a Great Concordian?

JT: I look back on my time at Concordia with such fondness. So to be recognized like this feels really nice. I’m very appreciative and grateful.