James Booth, 77; British Actor Played Ex-Con on Television’s ‘Twin Peaks’

James Booth, 77, a British character actor perhaps best remembered by American audiences for his role as ex-convict Ernie Miles on television’s “Twin Peaks,” died of unspecified causes Aug. 11 at his home in Essex, England.

Booth took the small “Twin Peaks” role while living in Los Angeles as a scriptwriter from the late 1970s into the 1990s. He also appeared in such American films as the 1980 version of “The Jazz Singer” and on the TV series “Charlie’s Angels.” As a writer, he co-scripted the 1979 comedy “Sunburn” and wrote several action films, including “American Ninja 2” (1987).

Born David Geeves in Croydon, Surrey, Booth did much of his acting in Britain. He was well-known for his portrayal of Private Henry Hook in “Zulu” (1964), a fact-based story of undermanned British forces defending African outposts from Zulu warriors. The actor also played Shirley MacLaine’s hidden-in-the-attic lover in 1968’s “The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom.”

In a career spanning more than 50 years, Booth appeared in more than 50 films, dozens of TV programs and hundreds of stage productions. He studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and soon joined the Theatre Workshop at Stratford East. He also performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company.