Eulogies at James's memorial were delivered by the legendary Sidney Poitier (for whom Steve's wife worked), his father Hubie James, his wife Christine Pan James, and his best friend John A. Gallagher...and by fellow martial arts-actor Michael Dudikoff, with whom James co-starred in "Avenging Force" and the "American Ninja" series, and who also served as one of Steve's pallbearers.
Was a film buff and loved the Three Stooges, Sergio Leone, Karloff and Lugosi, Kurosawa, Ford, Scorsese, Coppola, James Bond, and Hong Kong cinema.
Practiced fu jow pai (tiger claw) kung fu.
Steve began his love for the arts as a child, playing all of the roles of films his godfather Joe Seneca took him to.