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George Hamilton is a veteran American actor who’s appeared in numerous TV series and films, including “Love at First Bite,” “Light in the Piazza,” and “Zorro, The Gay Blade.”
Age, Early Life, and Education Background
George Stevens Hamilton is a native of Memphis, Tennessee, who was born under the Leo zodiac sign on 12 August 1939, which makes him 83 years old as of mid-2023. His biological parents are Ann Stevens, – formerly Mrs William Potter – who was a native of Kentucky, and the late songwriter and bandleader, George ‘Spike’ Hamilton, who hailed from Vermont, USA. Hamilton’s biological brother is David Hamilton, and his half-brother is William Potter, who has worked as an interior decorator for the Palm Springs-based firm, Eva Gabor Interiors. In the mid-70s, Hamilton’s half-brother was hired to redecorate industrialist James Randall’s million-dollar luxury mansion, which was bought from Debbie Reynolds. His step-fathers were Jesse Spalding and Carleton Hunt and his stepmom was June Howard.
George attended the Tarrytown-based private college preparatory school, Hackley School, and completed his studies in 1957.
Career Beginnings and Rise to Prominence
Before he starred as Robert in the 1959 Denis Sanders-directed drama, “Crime and Punishment U.S.A.,” Hamilton appeared in various TV series, including the sitcom “The Donna Reed Show.” In 1960, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) cast him in the movie “All the Fine Young Cannibals,” which starred the likes of Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood. In the same year, he caught the public’s attention with his performance in the beach party comedy movie, “Where the Boys Are.” In 1962, Hamilton was cast alongside Olivia de Havilland in the romantic comedy-drama “Light in the Piazza,” which earned him a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Foreign Actor in 1963.
Producing and Continued Success
George began his production career in the early ‘70s, by producing and starring as the motorcycle daredevil in the 1971 biographical film “Evel Knievel”. George is also credited with producing and appearing in the 1973 mystery drama “Medusa.” His big break came in 1979 when he was cast in the hit comedy horror film “Love at First Bite” – he also served as the executive producer of the movie, which had a box office collection of over $40 million. For his performance, Hamilton was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical in 1980. In 1981, George produced and starred in the swashbuckling comedy, “Zorro, The Gay Blade”, and his performance saw him nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical in 1982. Thereafter, George shifted his focus to television.
Hamilton’s fame skyrocketed when he landed the role of the Corleone family’s attorney, B.J. Harrison, in the third and final installment of “The Godfather” film series in 1990. He landed various minor roles throughout the 90s, and in 2003, he was selected to host the ABC reality TV series “The Family.” George contested in the second season of the show “Dancing with the Stars” in 2006. Recently, he appeared in various series including the ABC sitcom “American Housewife” (2017-2019), and the American daytime soap opera, “General Hospital” in 2018.
Other Works
George is a businessman who launched various beauty companies including George Hamilton Skin Care System in the late ‘80s. He has also appeared in numerous commercials for the successful American fast-food restaurant chain, KFC.
Awards and Achievements
Hamilton’s performance in the film “Crime and Punishment U.S.A.” saw him scoop a Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer – Male in 1960. In 1980, he bagged a Saturn Award for Best Actor for his performance in “Love at First Bite”, and in 1981, he won a ShoWest Convention, USA Special Award. Hamilton is a two-time nominee for both the BAFTA Award and Golden Globe Award. In 2009, Hamilton’s star was embedded on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Personal Life
In 1966, Hamilton dated Lynda Bird Johnson, who is the elder daughter of the 36th US president, Lyndon Baines Johnson, and Lady Bird Johnson. George walked the aisle with the American former model and actress, Alana Stewart, in 1972, who is perhaps best known for her performances in the TV shows “Stewarts & Hamilton,” “George & Alana,” and “Farrah’s Story,”. On 30 September 1974, the couple welcomed a son they named Ashley, who is currently an actor, singer-songwriter, and comedian. Unfortunately, Hamilton and Alana ended their four years of togetherness with a divorce in 1976. However, the duo reunited in the mid-90 to co-host a talk show, and in 2015 to work on the reality show, “Stewarts & Hamiltons.” The former couple has remained friends, and are often seen spending time together.
After the divorce, Alana exchanged vows with the British pop and rock singer-songwriter, Rod Stewart (1979), who is considered one of the world’s best-selling musicians of all time having sold at least 250 million albumss. The couple welcomed two children together, Sean Stewart and Kimberley Stewart, but divorced in 1984.
From 1995 to 1999, Hamilton dated the model Kimberly Blackford, and in December 1999, the duo welcomed a son named George Thomas ‘GT’ Hamilton. After breaking-up with Blackford, George went on to date various women, including several Miss Worlds in the late 2000s.
Rumors and Controversy
In his 2008 memoir “Don’t Mind if I Do,” Hamilton revealed that he had repeated sexual relations with his stepmother, June Howard when he was 12 years old, and claimed that he slept with her again when he was an adult.
Hamilton was good friends with the Filipino politician, Imelda Marcos, who served as Philippines’ First Lady (1965-1986). In 1990, Hamilton was named an unindicted accomplice in the Imelda and Ferdinand Marcos fraud case. Imelda was charged with defrauding banks of $165 million, and secretly investing stolen Philippine funds amounting to over $100 million in real estate and arts. According to the papers filed by the Republic of Philippines in the US District Court in Los Angeles, the Marcoses invested some of the stolen funds in one of Hamilton’s homes, which was situated in Beverly Hills. Hamilton denied any wrongdoing, claiming that he was just friends with the Marcos family and not their business associate.
Height, Weight, and Physical Appearance
Hamilton is of Caucasian ethnicity and has a pair of brown eyes and gray hair. He stands 6ft 1in (1.85m) tall, and weighs approximately 165lbs (75kgs).
Net Worth
George’s acting career has spanned over six decades, which has made him a household name. He is authoritatively worth around $20 million, as of 2023.
