About

Known credits:
7
Birthday:
1929-02-15
Place of birth:
New York City, New York, USA
Website:
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James R. Schlesinger

Overview

James Rodney Schlesinger (February 15, 1929 – March 27, 2014) was an American economist and public servant who was best known for serving as Secretary of Defense from 1973 to 1975 under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. Prior to becoming Secretary of Defense, he served as Chair of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) from 1971 to 1973, and as CIA Director for a few months in 1973. He became America's first Secretary of Energy under Jimmy Carter in 1977, serving until 1979.

While Secretary of Defense, he opposed amnesty for draft resisters and pressed for development of more sophisticated nuclear weapon systems. Additionally, his support for the A-10 and the lightweight fighter program (later the F-16) helped ensure that they were carried to completion.

Known for

Acting
2011 The Man Nobody Knew: In Search of My Father, CIA Spymaster William Colby Actor Self 58
Average
2008 Henry Kissinger: Secrets of a Superpower Actor Self 59
Average
2007 Ghosts of Abu Ghraib Actor Self (archive footage) 59
Average
2005 U.S. Strategic Nuclear Policy Actor Self N/A
N/A
1995 The Fall of Saigon Actor Self 59
Average
1992 The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money & Power Actor Self N/A
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1979 First Strike Actor Self N/A
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