William Hamilton (actor) facts for kids
William Hamilton was a famous Irish stage actor from the 1700s. He performed in plays during the 18th century.
William came from a family of actors. His mother, Sarah Hamilton, was an actress. His aunt, Anna Marcella Giffard, was also an actress.
William started acting very young. In January 1735, he appeared on stage in London. He acted with his brother, James, at the Goodman's Fields Theatre. They also performed at the Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre and Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. In 1739, they moved back to Dublin with their parents. There, they acted at the Smock Alley Theatre.
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William Hamilton's Acting Career
After 1739, William's activities are not fully known for a while. As an adult, he acted on his own. He no longer performed with his brother.
Performing in Edinburgh and Dublin
It is thought that William Hamilton acted in Edinburgh in 1749. After that, he joined the Smock Alley company. He was part of this group from 1749 to 1758.
Returning to London Stages
By 1766, William was back in London. He performed at the King's Theatre. Later, he joined Samuel Foote's acting company. This company performed at the Haymarket Theatre.
For several years, William split his time. He acted at the Haymarket Theatre in the summer. In the winter, he performed at the Covent Garden theatre.
A Famous Role and Later Years
William was considered for a big role in 1773. He was the first choice to play Tony Lumpkin. This was in Oliver Goldsmith's play, She Stoops to Conquer. However, he did not get the part. He reportedly lost it because he wasn't paying enough attention.
After this, his acting career became less prominent. He made his last appearances in London in 1774. He then started touring again. He performed in cities like Edinburgh and Belfast. Not much is known about his very last years. Some reports say he was still alive in 1805. One story suggests his niece helped support him in his final years.
Selected Roles
- Duke of Gloucester in King Charles I (1737)
- Laird in A Trip to Portsmouth (1773)
