Models' gets Wilder

By John Brodie

James Wilder, the star of NBC's "Route 66" and ABC's "Equal Justice," will join the cast of Fox's "Models Inc." starting this fall. Wilder will play Adam Louder, a mysterious self-made millionaire who owns and operates the nightclub Stage 99.

Wilder will be one of the more seasoned primetime veterans on the new Spelling Television Inc. series, which airs Wednesday nights at 9 p.m. following "Beverly Hills, 90210."

His arrival at "Models Inc." will not be his first appearance on a Spelling TV primetime soap opera. Fans of Fox's "Melrose Place" will recognize Wilder as Reed, the ex-con boyfriend of Daphne Zuniga's character, Jo Reynolds, who killed Wilder's character in self defense but subsequently realized that she was carrying his child.

Here's the scoop on James Wilder, who's joining the cast as Adam Louder, owner of Stage 99.

By Noah Scott

Wilder was born in Cleveland: his bio doesn't specify the year, but vicious rumors put it at 1937. He grew up in San Francisco, where he was fascinated by street performers and soon became one himself, with juggling and old vaudeville routines as the mainstays of his act. His parents traveled extensively, so he got a chance to perform in New York, which led to professional bookings in Europe, South Africa, and Japan. He's also performed as an opening act for the B-52s, the Dead Kennedys, and Pat Benatar.

His TV credits include the part of Jo's ill-fated lover Reed on "Melrose Place;" a series, "Route 66;" an appearance on "Equal Justice;" and the TV-movies "Cracked Up," "Night Owl," and "Confessions: Two Faces of Evil." He also played Jeff Gilooly in the TV-movie "The Tonya and Nancy Story."

His film work includes "Prey of the Chameleon" (in which he starred with Daphne Zuniga, who now plays Jo on "Melrose Place"), "Murder One," "Scorchers;" and, soon to be released, "Coriolis Effect" and "Tollbooth."

Wilder's character on "Models, Inc." has been described as a self-made millionaire who's mysterious and moody.

Charles Kennedy (foxnet@delphi.com) and Noah Scott (noahscott@delphi.com)