Jirayu “James” Tangsrisuk Biography: Age, Career, Girlfriend, Horoscope & Thailand’s Smoothest Leading Man

Some stars sparkle. Some stars burn bright. And then there’s Jirayu “James” Tangsrisuk, the kind of Thai star who glows slowly, gently, effortlessly and while staying impossibly cool.

Photo credit: To owner

In the early months of 2013, almost everyone in Thailand was watching the same television show. The show was a massive drama series called Suphapburut Juthathep, which was made to celebrate the forty-third anniversary of Channel 3, a major television station. The story followed the lives, romances, and problems of five wealthy brothers from a noble family called the Juthatheps. While the show had many famous actors, the third part of the series, called Khun Chai Puttipat, introduced a new face that changed everything. Standing over six feet tall with a kind smile and a handsome face, a twenty-year-old actor named Jirayu Tangsrisuk played the role of a smart young doctor. Almost overnight, the character became immensely popular, and the young man known to everyone as James Jirayu became a household name across the country.

The sudden fame brought a massive amount of attention from newspapers, television shows, and fans. Big companies rushed to hire him to advertise their products, leading to expensive contracts, while magazines filled their pages with pictures of the new star. For many people watching, it looked like he became famous out of nowhere, as if a big media company had just created a star overnight. The true story of the young man from Phichit Province, however, required a lot of hard work, a real love for acting, and a smart plan for the future that went far beyond just being famous for a moment.

Born on September 19, 1993, in a quiet northern province called Phichit, Jirayu Tangsrisuk grew up in a supportive and close family. His parents, Sermchai Tangsrisuk and Shotika Tangsrisuk, gave him the nickname James because they liked the movie character James Bond. Even with that famous name, his early life was very normal and far away from the glamorous world of entertainment in the big city of Bangkok. He was a curious child who loved art and music long before he ever stood in front of a camera. During his school years at Phichit Phitthakhom School, he spent his free time learning how to dance and play musical instruments. He even became the bass guitar player for a band he started with his close friends, enjoying the fun of playing music on stage and learning how to connect with an audience. This early experience allowed him to try creative things without any pressure, teaching him to respect the art of performing.

His life changed forever in 2011 when he won a national modeling contest held by a Thai cosmetics brand named Mistine. This victory gave him a small taste of the entertainment industry, but the real turning point happened in April 2012 because of social media. A talent manager named Charnchalard Dhaweesap, who ran Meta Talent Management, saw photos of James on Facebook. The manager noticed that James was tall, looked great in photos, and had a special charm that stood out. Even though seven other entertainment agencies also wanted to sign the young student, James decided to trust Dhaweesap, signed a contract with his team, and started preparing for a professional career.

Moving from a quiet hometown to the busy and stressful city of Bangkok was a huge adjustment. James knew that staying successful in the competitive world of Thai media required real skill rather than just good looks, so he practiced incredibly hard. He took intense lessons in acting, speaking clearly, and working out. At the same time, he wanted to finish his college education. He first started studying Communication Arts at Rangsit University to learn about radio and television broadcasting. As his career grew and he began working more with businesses and brands, he decided to switch his major to Business Administration. Focusing on Retail Business Management, he studied hard while filming his shows, finally graduating with his business degree in December 2017. Choosing to finish college showed that he cared about his education and wanted to understand the business side of the entertainment world.

The massive success of his first TV show in May 2013 was followed by his very first movie in September of that same year, a romantic comedy called First Love. The movie allowed him to show a modern, relatable side that was different from his serious role as a doctor on television. By the beginning of 2014, he was so popular that he hosted a massive fan meeting called the James Ji Monkey King Fan Meeting, filling a huge arena with thousands of screaming fans. Right after this event, he starred in a second movie called Timeline, which was directed by a famous filmmaker named Nonzee Nimibutr. Working with a talented actress named Jarinporn Joonkiat, James gave a wonderful performance as a young man dealing with family duties, his own identity, and a sad romance. The movie proved to critics that he was a serious actor who could handle difficult and emotional stories.

Instead of just taking easy roles that only used his romantic charm, James constantly looked for ways to challenge himself and learn new skills. In late 2015, he made the unusual choice to stop filming in Thailand for a while so he could travel to Vietnam for intense physical training. He joined the Lien Phong Academy, a top martial arts school started by a famous action star named Johnny Tri Nguyen. For weeks, he worked through difficult workouts, learning how to fight on camera and do stunts safely. He did this training for his role in a historic action drama called Padiwaradda, which is also known as The Loyal Wife. When the show aired in early 2016, fans saw an excellent performance that combined deep emotions with sharp action scenes. The show reunited him with his frequent acting partner Ranee Campen, making them one of the most loved acting duos in the history of modern Thai television.

During the late 2010s, James focused on sharing his work with other countries, especially Japan. Japan is a tough market for foreign actors to enter, but James showed that he was willing to start over as a beginner. He spent many hours learning how to speak Japanese correctly and understanding their cultural customs. This hard work paid off in a few different ways. In early 2016, he hosted a television travel show called Tabi Japan with James Jirayu, where he guided Thai viewers through beautiful and historic parts of Japan to help promote tourism. He also shared his music skills with international fans in June 2016 by releasing a Japanese song and a photo book called Kimi Dake I Love You. He even took the photos for the book himself, showing fans the world through his own camera lens.

This international work quickly caught the attention of the global fashion world. His tall height, good posture, and simple, elegant style made him a perfect fit for famous fashion brands. In 2016, he achieved a huge milestone for Thai stars by traveling to Europe to walk on the runway for the legendary designer Yohji Yamamoto at a major fashion show in Paris. His strong presence on the runway broke boundaries for actors from Southeast Asia, proving that he could succeed globally. After that, he participated in the Tokyo Girls Collection fashion event in Japan, easily moving from serious European fashion to the fun, colorful style of Japanese youth culture. Because of his hard work in both countries, he was chosen as a special ambassador to celebrate 130 years of friendship between Thailand and Japan, turning him from an entertainment star into a real cultural representative.

Back in Thailand, his commercial value was higher than ever before. Business reports and magazines regularly listed him as one of the highest-paid actors in the country, ranking third in 2017 and moving up to second place by April 2018. Even though he was earning a lot of money from commercials, he still cared deeply about the quality of his acting. He continued to choose challenging television roles, starring back-to-back in two completely different shows with actress Natapohn Tameeruks. The first was an epic historical drama called Nueng Dao Fa Diao, set in the ancient past of Thailand, and the second was a modern business romance called Game Sanaeha. Doing both shows at the same time meant he had to switch quickly between speaking like an ancient royal spy and acting like a modern businessman in a serious corporate battle.

The most important acting moment of his career came in 2019 with a famous drama series called Krong Kam, which is known internationally as Repercussion. Directed by a talented filmmaker named Off Pongpat Wachirabunjong, this show was very different from typical, glossy soap operas. Set in a working-class town during the late 1960s, the story looked at the real, complicated problems of a family running a local shop. James played a character named Ah Asa, a remarkably kind and caring young man caught between his controlling mother and his troubled siblings. By giving a very honest, emotional, and realistic performance, James showed a deeply human side that fans had never seen before. The show received incredible praise from critics, and James won the prestigious Nataraja Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. This award proved to everyone that he was truly one of the best dramatic actors of his generation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8meBw2FRHs

As he entered the 2020s, James continued to change how he approached his career and his life. He kept working hard on television, starring in a supernatural romance called Mist of Love and a thrilling mystery called Prophecy of Love. He also returned to movies in 2021 with a fantasy action-comedy called Ayothaya Maha Laluay, acting alongside a talented actress named Maylada Susri. After the pandemic, he continued to look for unique stories, such as Are We Alright, a drama where he acted with the legendary star Anne Thongprasom. The show explored a romance between a younger man and an older woman. After that, he starred in a heartwarming series called To the Moon and Back, which became very popular because it talked honestly about modern relationships, mental health, and the importance of family love.

Turning thirty years old brought a big shift in how James looked at life. In interviews, he explained that he was moving away from the fast-paced worries of his twenties to focus more on discipline and quiet reflection. He started spending more time on self-discovery, health, and building a good daily routine. He fell in love with long-distance running, a sport he chose not just to stay fit, but because it helped clear his mind and taught him how to breathe properly under pressure. This disciplined lifestyle also included serious weight training, which helped him build a stronger look that matched the mature and difficult acting roles he was choosing.

This mature phase of his life also brought a lot of personal happiness. In 2024, James married his long-term partner, Benjamas Kittipitakkul, in a beautiful wedding surrounded by his family, close friends, and the industry colleagues who had supported him for over ten years. Marriage gave him a peaceful, stable home life away from the constant attention of the media. The couple has since welcomed a child, adding the wonderful new experience of being a father to his busy life.

In the mid-2020s, the experienced actor has continued to try new things that surprise his audience. In 2025, he shocked and excited his fans by starring in his very first horror movie, Tharae The Exorcist, directed by Taweewat Wantha. Immersing himself in a scary story about local folklore and psychological fear, his performance as a character named Paulo showed an incredible acting range, proving he could lead a dark horror film. At the same time, he kept his fans smiling on television by filming a romantic period comedy called Chao Khun Phi Kap I Nang Kham Duang for Channel 3, a fun show that let him use his excellent comedic timing. He remains incredibly relevant and stylish, which is why he was recently chosen as a brand ambassador for famous luxury brands, including the historic jewelry company Mikimoto and the legendary fashion house Dior Men. His high-profile appearance at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris further showed that he is a global representative of modern Thai talent.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2vayiCI5jQ

Through every step of his journey, from a small-town boy discovered on Facebook to an award-winning actor, international model, and family man, James Jirayu has stayed humble and focused on improving himself. He has handled the stress of fame with grace and hard work. By always challenging himself to try new things and grow as an artist, he has made sure that his influence on the entertainment world will last for a very long time.

James Jirayu Early Life: Quiet Beginnings, Strong Foundations

James Jirayu was born on September 19, 1993, in Bangkok, Thailand. Unlike stars groomed from childhood, James grew up relatively low-key, with a strong focus on education and personal discipline.

He studied Fine and Applied Arts at Rangsit University, a background that subtly shows in his acting style, measured, intentional, and emotionally controlled.

From early on, James stood out not because he demanded attention, but because he commanded it quietly. He listened. He observed. And when he spoke, on screen or off, it mattered.

How James Jirayu Entered the Entertainment Industry

James entered the Thai entertainment industry through modeling and casting opportunities, gradually transitioning into acting. His clean-cut look, expressive eyes, and calm demeanor made him a natural fit for television dramas.

Producers quickly noticed:

• His professionalism

• His emotional restraint

• His ability to hold a scene without overpowering it

  
  

Then came the role that changed everything.

Breakthrough Role: When Thailand Fell for James Jirayu

James Jirayu rose to national fame through his early lakorn roles, where he quickly became known as:

• The dependable romantic lead

• The “nice guy” with depth

• The actor audiences trusted

His performances didn’t scream drama, they invited empathy.

From there, his career momentum never really slowed.

James Jirayu Acting Career: Built on Trust, Not Trends

James has starred in numerous top-rated Thai TV dramas, earning a reputation as one of the industry’s most reliable leading men.

Popular James Jirayu TV Shows

• Suphapburut Juthathep (Mega lakorn series, 2013) — as M.R. Puttipat Juthathep (“Khun Chai Pat”) and other installments in the family anthology series, which helped launch his career.

• Thong Nuea Kao (Angel Heart) (2013) — as Wanchalerm (age 20).

• Ruk Sutrit (Race) (2013) — as Itirit / “It.”

• Neung Nai Suang (Only You in My Heart) (2015) — as Anawat “Neung,” a classic romance with Urassaya Sperbund (Yaya).

• Padiwaradda (2016) — as Saran, a romantic drama about arranged marriage and love.

• Buang Hong (Fallen Angel) (2017) — as Ramet, in a story of love and redemption.

• Idol × Warrior Miracle Tunes! (Japanese drama, 2017) — as Demon King Maou.

• Game Sanaeha (Game of Love) (2018) — as Lakkhanai (“Nai”), a complex romance.

• Nueng Dao Fah Diew (2018) — historical romance set in Ayutthaya, as Sri Khan Thin.

• Krong Kam (Repercussion) (2019) — as Kamol/Asa, in a family saga.

• Leh Bunpakarn / Mist of Love (2020) — romance with a twist of past-life memory.

• Payakorn Sorn Ruk (Prophecy of Love) (2020) — as Theeruth in a quirky romance with supernatural elements.

• Are We Alright? (2021) — as Ai, a romance with age-gap dynamic.

• The Deadly Affair (2022) — as Ohm Aphinan in a mystery-thriller romance.

• To the Moon and Back (Matalada) (2023) — as Purim / Pennueng, a visually praised romantic story.

• Never Enough (Lok Mun Rop Thoe) (2024) — as Mana Phromdeetham in a coming-of-age ensemble drama.

• Duangjai Dhevaprom / Dhevaprom: Kwanruetai (2024) — guest/young roles in the anthology series.

• My Sassy Wedding (2025) — upcoming romantic comedy series as Ek Itthirit. What sets James apart is his consistency. He doesn’t chase reinvention every year. Instead, he refines, slightly deeper, slightly stronger, slightly more confident with every role.

Popular James Jirayu Films

• First Love (2013) — as Namnan in his early big-screen romantic debut.

• Timeline (2014) — as Tan, a coming-of-age drama about memory and personal growth.

• Home Away From Home (2017) — Japanese–Thai short film as Backpacker.

• OM! Crush On Me / Ayothaya Maha Laluay (2021) — as Ryosu in a romantic action-comedy-fantasy mix.

• Tha Rae: The Exorcist (2025) — as Father Paolo in a supernatural horror feature.

• The Red Envelope (2025) — cameo/guest appearance as himself in a supernatural comedy mystery.