Voice Artist James McCaffrey, Voice of Max Payne and Alan Wake Games, Passes Away at 65
Accomplished actor James McCaffrey has died at the age of 65. He was best known for voicing Max Payne and Thomas Zane in the video game series. McCaffrey died of multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, on Sunday at his Larchmont, New York home. This information was confirmed by his wife Rochelle Bostrom. The actor’s legacy lives on in the Max Payne and Alan Wake series, which has left an indelible mark on the world of gaming.
James McCaffrey, Passes Away at 65 (December 17, 2023)
Before entering video game voice acting, McCaffrey had a successful career in film and TV for decades. His success came from “New York Undercover”. He starred in Dick Wolf shows like “Swift Justice,” “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” and “Law & Order: SVU.” McCaffrey’s film roles include “The Truth About Cats and Dogs,” “Nick & Jane,” and “American Splendor.”
His favorite role was Jimmy Keefe in “Rescue Me”, which tormented Denis Leary’s hero for seven seasons. The emotional connections to the events of 9/11 deepened McCaffrey’s performance.
Despite not being a fan of video games, McCaffrey made a lasting impression as the voice of Max Payne. The gritty and determined former NYPD officer turned DEA agent seeking justice for his murdered family. McCaffrey voiced the character in all three Max Payne video games released in 2001, 2003, and 2012. He lent his voice to the role of Thomas Zane in the 2010 game “Alan Wake”, and reprized his role as Alex Casey in the 2023 sequel. “Alan Wake 2.”
Reflecting on his work in the gaming industry, McCaffrey once mentioned in an interview, “I’m not a huge fan of video games, and I never have been.” Despite this, his performance in Max Payne and Alan Wake demonstrated his versatility and talent in bringing characters to life, earning him praise from gamers around the world.
His wife, Rochelle Bostrom, and daughter Tiernan McCaffrey are James McCaffrey’s surviving family members. The entertainment industry is in mourning accepting the demise of a versatile and talented actor. His contributions have indelibly shaped the fields of film, television, and video games, leaving a lasting impact on audiences around the world.
