James McCaffrey, recognized for his iconic portrayal as the voice of Max Payne, has passed away at 65 following a battle with cancer.
Throughout a career spanning three decades, McCaffrey appeared in numerous TV shows and films, likely making occasional appearances in several. However, his most memorable role was in the Max Payne video game series, where he even provided his likeness for the third game, solidifying his reputation within the gaming community.
McCaffrey had been fighting cancer and unfortunately passed away on December 18, surrounded by loved ones. Sam Lake, director of Remedy Entertainment, shared a heartfelt tribute on Twitter/X, expressing sorrow for McCaffrey’s passing and praising his brilliance as an actor and his significant contribution to the Remedy family.
Beyond Max Payne, McCaffrey voiced Alex Casey in the Alan Wake game series, with his final work being in the highly acclaimed 2023 title, Alan Wake II.
Born in 1958 in Albany, New York, McCaffrey’s early acting roles included appearances in romantic comedies like The Truth About Cats & Dogs, Nick and Jane, and Coming Soon. His venture into video game voice acting began in 2001 with Max Payne and continued with Max Payne 2, Alone in the Dark, and Alan Wake. He also participated in the motion capture for the lead character in the third Max Payne game developed by Rockstar. McCaffrey collaborated again with Sam Lake and Remedy in 2019 for Control, followed by Alan Wake II.
The news of McCaffrey’s passing initially caused confusion, as actor Kevin Dillon shared an image on Instagram, coinciding with the tragic passing of a teenager with the same name in Ireland. Later, TMZ confirmed the news, revealing that McCaffrey had been battling multiple myeloma.
Rest in peace, James McCaffrey. Your legacy in Max Payne will forever endure.
