Voice Actor James McCaffrey, Known for Max Payne and Alan Wake Games, Passes Away at 65

 The actor, who also starred in film and television for decades, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer.

Renowned Actor James McCaffrey, Famed Voice of Max Payne, Passes Away at 65

James McCaffrey, the esteemed actor celebrated for lending his voice to the iconic character of Max Payne in the video game series, passed away at the age of 65. The actor succumbed to multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, at his residence in Larchmont, New York, as confirmed by his wife, fellow actor Rochelle Boström.

Before making a mark in the realm of video game voice acting, McCaffrey enjoyed a lengthy career in both film and television. His breakthrough came with the police drama "New York Undercover," and he graced the screens in various roles, including appearances in Dick Wolf's productions such as "Swift Justice," "Law and Order: Criminal Intent," and "Law and Order: SVU." His diverse portfolio also included roles in "Viper," "Sex and the City," "As the World Turns," "Madam Secretary," "Jessica Jones," "She’s Gotta Have It," "Revenge," and "Blue Bloods."

McCaffrey's film journey encompassed roles in "The Truth About Cats and Dogs," "Nick and Jane," and "American Splendour." Notably, he cherished his role in "Rescue Me," where he portrayed Jimmy Keefe, a New York firefighter who perished in the 9/11 attacks, haunting Denis Leary's character throughout the seven seasons of the show.

Despite his reluctance towards video games, McCaffrey achieved widespread recognition as the voice behind Max Payne. The character, a former NYPD officer turned DEA agent seeking justice for his slain family, was featured in all three Max Payne video games released in 2001, 2003, and 2012. Mark Wahlberg assumed the role in the 2008 film adaptation, where McCaffrey also made a cameo.

In addition to Max Payne, McCaffrey lent his voice to other notable video game characters, including Thomas Zane in the 2010 game "Alan Wake" and reprising his role as Alex Casey in the 2023 sequel "Alan Wake 2," an FBI agent with a keen interest in the titular protagonist. He also contributed his voice to games such as "Area 51" and "Alone in the Dark."

James McCaffrey is survived by his wife and daughter, leaving behind a legacy that spans the worlds of film, television, and video games.