Along with his 'Magnificent Seven' co-star Steve McQueen, Coburn was a pallbearer at the funeral of his friend (and his martial arts instructor) Bruce Lee on July 31, 1973 in Seattle, Washington.
Appeared with Steve McQueen and Charles Bronson in two films, both of which were directed by John Sturges: The Magnificent Seven (1960) and The Great Escape (1963).
Appears on the cover of Paul McCartney's 1973 album "Band on the Run".
At the time of his death, he was at home listening to music and playing his flute.
Became good friends with Kris Kristofferson during the filming of Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid (1973). They also worked together on Convoy (1978) and Payback (1999/I). Coburn contributed with backup vocals on Kristofferson's album "Who's to Bless and Who's to Blame".
College friend of his The Magnificent Seven (1960) co-star Robert Vaughn.
Daughter Lisa was web mistress for genesimmons.com, the official website of Gene Simmons from the rock group KISS.
Despite being one of the stars, he had only eleven lines in The Magnificent Seven (1960).
During the 1960s he was often compared with Lee Marvin.
For a time he did ads for "Schlitz" beer. Later after the contract was finished he admitted on a talk show that he never liked the taste of the beer.
He co-wrote two songs with Lynsey De Paul, "Melancholy Melon" and "Losin' the Blues for You" that appeared on her album "Tigers and Fireflies".
He had a relationship with Lynsey De Paul.
He has two children - James H. Coburn IV (b. 1961, a sound mixer) and Lisa (b. 1957, a web site designer).
He once played the gong on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" (1962).
In 1979 he started suffering from severe rheumatoid arthritis which at times left him debilitated. In 1998 a holistic healer started him on a dietary supplement, which resulted in a drastic improvement in his condition.
Was a big fan of Seven Samurai (1954). His favorite character in that film eventually became the character he ended up playing in The Magnificent Seven (1960).
Was the original choice for the role of Hannibal Smith in "The A-Team" (1983), a role which later went to George Peppard.