George Hamilton (actor)
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| George Hamilton | |
| Born | George Stevens Hamilton August 12, 1939 Memphis, Tennessee, United States |
|---|---|
| Years active | 1952–present |
| Spouse(s) | Alana Stewart (1972-1975) |
| Domestic partner(s) | Kimberly Blackford (1997-1999) |
George Stevens Hamilton (born August 12, 1939) is an American film and television actor and occasional film director.
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[edit] Early life
Hamilton was the eldest son of society band leader George "Spike" Hamilton[1][2] and his first wife, Ann Stevens (formerly Mrs. William Potter). He was born in Blytheville, Arkansas, where he lived until the age of 12. He won many awards as a student at Palm Beach Lakes Community High School and was the lead in his high school's production of Brigadoon. After moving to California, he was put under contract by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, who showcased him in films such as Home from the Hill, All the Fine Young Cannibals, Light in the Piazza and Two Weeks in Another Town.
His stepfathers were Carleton Hunt and Jesse Spalding; his stepmother was June Howard, with whom Hamilton has said he had an affair when he was 12, shortly after she married his father.[3][4] His elder half-brother, William Potter, became an interior decorator for such prestige firms as Eva Gabor Interiors in Palm Springs where Hamilton also owned a home a few streets away from Elvis Presley and his manager Colonel Tom Parker, who became his good friend. Hamilton also has a younger brother, David Hamilton.
[edit] Career
Hamilton began his movie career in 1952. As an actor, he is often said to physically resemble Warren Beatty; Beatty's movie Bulworth contained a reference to this. In the mid-1980s, he starred in the 6th season of the ABC Aaron Spelling-produced nighttime television serial Dynasty. Hamilton was a semi-regular panelist on the 1998 revival of Match Game.
In 2003, he hosted The Family, a reality television series on ABC spanning one season in 2003. It starred ten members from a traditional Italian-American family, who were each fighting for a $1,000,000 prize. In 2006, he competed in the second season of ABC's Dancing with the Stars[5] and was voted off in round 6. At age 66 and recovering from knee injuries, Hamilton, unable to match the limber dance moves of his younger competitors, charmed the audience and judges with endearingly silly dances utilizing props including a Zorro mask and sword from his 1981 film Zorro, The Gay Blade.
Along with a successful movie career, he is known for his style of dress. At one point he was known for having 100 bespoke suits in his closet. Hamilton's other trademark is his deep tan.
In 2006, it was rumored Hamilton would replace Bob Barker on The Price Is Right. He did an audition and in March 2007, TMZ reported that Hamilton was a frontrunner to replace Barker. According to Reuters, Hamilton was one of the final 3 contenders to host the show, alongside Mark Steines and Todd Newton.[6] Soon thereafter, Drew Carey was named as Barker's successor.
In August of 2008, Hamilton co-starred in Coma, a web series on Crackle.[7]
[edit] Personal life
Hamilton had a highly publicized relationship with Lynda Bird Johnson Robb in 1966, due to his status as an actor and her status as the daughter of the President of the United States, Lyndon B. Johnson. Their relationship eventually ended in 1967.
Hamilton was married to actress Alana Stewart from 1972 to 1975. Their son, Ashley Hamilton, was born in 1974. He has a younger son, George Thomas Hamilton, born in January 2000, with Kimberly Blackford.
In April 2006, Hamilton served as Grand Marshal for the 79th Annual Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival in Winchester, Virginia.
[edit] Filmography
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[edit] Books
- Life's Little Pleasures (co-authored with Alysse Minkoff) (1998)
- Don't Mind If I Do (co-authored with William Stadiem) (2008)
[edit] References
- ^ George Hamilton Biography (1939-)
- ^ "George Hamilton Stevens."1
- ^ "'I had an affair with my stepmother when I was 12,' reveals George Hamilton ." Daily Mail.. October 17, 2008.
- ^ Beifuss, John. "From Blytheville to Hollywood, George Hamilton looks back in memoir." Commericial Appeal. November 4, 2008.
- ^ Dancing With The Stars - Home - ABC.com
- ^ Trio remaining in Price line
- ^ "Michael Madsen, George Hamilton and Paul Ben-Victor Star in Coma, an Original Web Series Premiering On Crackle.com". 2008-08-22. http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=73148. Retrieved on 2009-03-05.
