James Nester was born and raised in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He graduated from DeSales University with a Bachelor's Degree in Acting & Directing. After college, he worked as an actor for the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival followed by music director, assistant director and actor at Centenary Stage Company in Hackettstown, NJ for their Young Performers Workshop Program. In 2013, James moved to New York City where he has been involved in several films including Heroes of Dirt: The BMX Movie and Engrams.
First professionally paid acting job was playing a Piano Player in "It's A Wonderful Life" The Radio Play" for River Union Stage in Frenchtown, New Jersey [2008].
Went to high school with actress Alexandra Chando in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Won a Freddy Award, a high school musical award in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, for Best Supporting Actor for the role of Barnaby Tucker in Hello Dolly [2004].