George Hamilton (actor) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids George Hamilton
Hamilton in 2023
Born	George Stevens Hamilton (1939-08-12) August 12, 1939 (age 86) Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1952–present
Spouse(s)	Alana Stewart ​ ​ (m. 1972; div. 1975)​
Children	2, including Ashley Hamilton
Parent(s)	George Hamilton

George Stevens Hamilton (born August 12, 1939) is an American actor known for his smooth style and famous suntan. He has appeared in many movies and television shows since the 1950s.

For his very first movie, Crime and Punishment U.S.A. (1959), Hamilton won a Golden Globe Award. He has been nominated for several other major awards during his long career.

Besides acting, Hamilton is famous for his charming personality and his year-round tan. Actress Bo Derek once joked that there was a contest between her husband John Derek and George Hamilton to see who could get the most tan.

Early Life

George Hamilton was born in Memphis, Tennessee. He spent part of his childhood in Blytheville, Arkansas, and later moved to Beverly Hills, California, where he went to Hawthorne School. He also attended a military academy in Gulfport, Mississippi.

Acting Career

First Movies and TV Shows

Hamilton started his acting career on television. He appeared in shows like The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin and The Donna Reed Show. His first movie role was the lead in Crime and Punishment U.S.A. (1959).

Soon after, he signed with the famous movie studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). He starred in the popular beach comedy Where the Boys Are (1960). He also appeared in dramas like Light in the Piazza (1962) and played country music star Hank Williams in Your Cheatin' Heart (1964).

His friend, actor Burt Reynolds, said that Hamilton had a unique style. Reynolds believed if Hamilton had been more relaxed on screen, he could have been "the next Cary Grant," a legendary Hollywood star.

Comedy and Producing

In the 1970s, Hamilton began producing his own movies. This gave him more control over his projects. He produced and starred in the movie Evel Knievel (1971), about the famous daredevil.

In 1979, Hamilton starred in the comedy Love at First Bite. He played a funny version of Count Dracula who moves to New York City. The movie was a huge hit and showed audiences his talent for comedy. He followed this with another comedy, Zorro, The Gay Blade (1981), which he also produced.

Later Roles

In the 1980s, Hamilton joined the cast of the popular TV series Dynasty. In 1990, he had an important role as the family's lawyer in The Godfather Part III, directed by Francis Ford Coppola.

Hamilton was a guest star on the detective show Columbo twice, playing the villain in both episodes. He also appeared in many other TV shows, including Diagnosis: Murder and Nash Bridges.

In recent years, Hamilton has stayed busy. He competed on Dancing with the Stars in 2006, where he charmed the audience with his fun dance moves. He also appeared in commercials for KFC as the "Extra Crispy Colonel," a very tan version of their mascot, Colonel Sanders.

Personal Life

From 1972 to 1976, Hamilton was married to actress Alana Stewart. They have a son, Ashley Hamilton, who is also an actor. George and Alana have remained friends and even hosted a talk show together in the 1990s called George & Alana. Hamilton also has another son, born in 1999.

Actor Burt Reynolds shared a funny story about Hamilton's good sense of humor. For Hamilton's birthday, Reynolds made a card with a photo blending the faces of two other actors, Tony Curtis and Anthony Perkins. He signed it, "To George, love from Mum and Dad." Hamilton thought it was hilarious and showed it to everyone.

In 2009, a movie called My One and Only was released. It was loosely based on stories Hamilton told about his childhood, traveling with his mother and brother.

Selected Film and TV Work

Here are some of George Hamilton's most well-known movies and television shows.

Film

• Where the Boys Are (1960)
• The Light in the Piazza (1962)
• Your Cheatin' Heart (1964)
• Evel Knievel (1971)
• Love at First Bite (1979)
• Zorro, The Gay Blade (1981)
• The Godfather Part III (1990)
• Doc Hollywood (1991)
• 8 Heads in a Duffel Bag (1997)
• Casper Meets Wendy (1998)
• Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles (2001)

Television

• The Donna Reed Show (1959)
• Columbo (1975, 1991)
• Roots (1977)
• Dynasty (1985–1986)
• George & Alana (1995–1996)
• Dancing with the Stars (2006)
• Hot in Cleveland (2013)
• American Housewife (2017–2019)
• Grace and Frankie (2019)

See also

In Spanish: George Hamilton (actor) para niños