James Charles "Jim" Norton (October 20, 1938 — June 12, 2007) was a professional football player. He was an original member of the Houston Oilers of the AFL, playing at strong safety and punter for their first nine seasons, 1960-68. Norton was an AFL All-Star for four seasons and holds the league's record for career interceptions. His jersey was the first retired by the Oilers.

Jim Norton graduated from Fullerton Union High School in 1956 and played college football for head coach Skip Stahley at the University of Idaho. Although selected by the Detroit Lions in the 1960 NFL Draft (7th round, 75th overall) id=1450" target="_blank">http://www.profootballhof.com/history/release.jsp?release_id=1450 and the _Dallas Texans in the AFL's inaugural draft 1960, he signed as an original Houston Oiler.

Although he intercepted only one pass in his first year, he went on to become the AFL’s all-time interception leader. In 1961, his first starting season, he snared nine passes and punted with a 40.7 yard average. In a tight defensive duel in the AFL Championship Game, his four booming punts helped Houston defeat the San Diego Chargers, 10-3, claiming their second AFL championship in as many seasons.

While nursing a slim half-game lead in the Eastern Division in Week 12 of the 1962 AFL season, Norton personally tormented Denver Broncos quarterback Frank Tripucka. He stopped three Bronco drives with interceptions as the Oilers stole a 34-17 victory, eventually reaching the Championship Game for the third straight year. That thriller for the AFL crown was the league's longest game, a double-overtime contest won by the Dallas Texans, 20-17.

As a defensive back, Jim Norton was a steady tackler with a nose for the football. His play earned him All-AFL honors for 1961, '62, 63, and '67, when he scored the only touchdown of his career, returning an interception 56 yards. His number 43 was retired by the Oilers, acknowledging his club-record 45 career interceptions, which he returned for 592 yards and a touchdown, and 519 punts.

Jim Norton (born January 4, 1938) is an Irish character actor who frequently plays clergymen, most notably Bishop Brennan in the sitcom Father Ted. He also played Albert Einstein in two episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation, appeared in two episodes of Van der Valk, and the Ombuds, a judge, and Dr. Lazarenn, a Markab doctor, on Babylon 5. In addition, he has recorded the whole of James Joyce's Ulysses for Naxos Audio. He appeared in the 1969 epic film Alfred the Great as Thanet.

Norton received a Jacob's Awards for his performance in the series, Solo, broadcast on Telefís Éireann in 1964 in which he played a gay man. In 1971 he played "Chris Cawsey" (aka "The Rat Man"), one of several villains in the controversial Sam Peckinpah movie Straw Dogs starring Dustin Hoffman. His character had a deviously infectious, purposefully irritating laugh that helped build tension throughout the film.

He starred in the movie Memoirs of an Invisible Man along side Chevy Chase in 1992. Norton provided the voice for Major Kennet for the 2003 Doctor Who animated serial, Scream of the Shalka. In 2004 he took part in the touring production of Martin McDonagh's The Pillowman.

In 2006/7 he played Richard Harkin in Conor McPherson's The Seafarer at The National Theatre, for which he won the 2007 Best Supporting Actor Laurence Olivier Award. He appeared in a brief cameo in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in 2002 as Mr. Mason.

He has recently appeared as the older Stan Laurel in a TV docu-drama about the famous double-act. On May 11th 2007 he was awarded the Legend Award at the Elk Acting Festival in Dundonald, Belfast. Unfortunately Jim had not attended as he did not expect to win.

Jim Norton (born July 19, 1968) is an American comedian hailing from New Jersey. He is heard on a nationally syndicated radio program with Opie and Anthony. He also appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno five times, appeared on Late Show with David Letterman, filmed an episode of HBO stand up comedy program One Night Stand, co-starred in the short-lived HBO series Lucky Louie and had a cameo appearance in the film Spider-Man. He is best known for his so-called "cringe humor" style, which deals with sensitive and uncomfortable subjects.

James Alfred Norton (born November 18, 1942 in Wilmington, North Carolina) is a former American football defensive lineman in the National Football League for the San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, and New York Giants. He played college football at the University of Washington.

Tends to play pastors, such as in "Father Ted" (1995), "Peak Practice" (1993), Sunset Heights (1997), Love Divided, A (1999), Rebus: Black and Blue (2000) (TV), Mad About Mambo (2000), and Boxed (2003).

He was nominated for a Laurence Oliiver Theatre Award in 1999 (1998 season) for Best Actor for his performance in The Weir.

In 2003 he won an Village Voice Obie award for his performance in A Dublin Carol

In 2004 he recorded the full text of James Joyce's 'Ulysses'---accompanied by Marcella Riordan as Molly Bloom---for Naxos Audiobooks, which was released in a 22 CD edition. His performance is simply a brilliant piece of Joycean work. Also by Joyce, he had already recorded for Naxos 'Dubliners' in full, abridgements of 'Finnegans Wake' and 'Ulysses', and recently the full text of 'A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man'.

Winner of Olivier for Best Performance in a Supporting Role at the 2007 Society of West End Theatre awards, 18th February 2007. This was for playing the part of Richard Harkin in Conor McPherson's The Seafarer.

Jim is a regular cast member on the "Opie and Anthony" radio show on CBS radio and XM Radio's "The Virus" channel. The show is recorded every weekday in New York City.

Beat out fellow comedians Steve Sweeny and Fred Stoller for a part in Louie C.K.'s new HBO comedy series.

Enjoyed playing the game, "Monster Rain", as a child.

His favorite band is Black Sabbath, his all-time hero Ozzy Osbourne.

Cited as the pioneer of "Cringe Humor" style comedy.