Lafferty was born on July 25, 1985 in Hemet, California. His acting career began at age six. He was encouraged by his mother to act as a hobby. He also urged his brother to act. He attended Hemet High School, where he played basketball for the Varsity team, earning him an MVP award and an All-League award.
At age 10, he earned his first speaking role. In 2001, he landed a role on the short lived television series, Emeril. He played Emeril's son. Lafferty also guest starred on Once and Again, Get Real, and Boston Public. This led to his role in the movie, A Season on the Brink. This was a basketball movie, about the 1985-1986 season of Indiana University's men's basketball team. It was based on the book by John Feinstein. Lafferty played the character of Steve Alford.
In 2003, he graduated from high school and enrolled at California State University, Long Beach, before receiving the role of Nathan Scott.
He currently resides in Wilmington, North Carolina with his dog Nino.
Lafferty is also a supporting partner of the professional basketball team the Wilmington Sea Dawgs, part of the American Basketball Association. He is currently working on a docudrama about this minor league basketball team in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Lafferty used to be affectionately called "Baby James" by his co-stars of One Tree Hill because he is the youngest member of the main cast, having been only 17 when they shot the pilot. He hasn't been called by this nickname in a while.
Lafferty is almost four years older than his character Nathan Scott.
His favorite episode of One Tree Hill is 'With Tired Eyes, Tired Minds, Tired Souls, We Slept.'
