Josh Holloway ( born July 20 , 1969 in San Jose , California ) is an American actor most known for his role as James `` Sawyer '' Ford on ABC 's Emmy award-winning show Lost . Joshua Lee `` Josh '' Holloway ( born July 20 , 1969 ) is an American actor and model from Free Home , Georgia . He is best known for his role as James `` Sawyer '' Ford on the American television show Lost .