Character actor and TV director James Hampton, best known for his work in the 1960's sitcom F Troop, passed away of complications of Parkinson's Disease. He was 84.
After F Troop, Hampton would join the cast of The Doris Day Show as a regular before being relegated to a recurring role in the show's second and third seasons. In 1974, he had a prominent role The Longest Yard starring his close friend Burt Reynolds earning him a Golden Globe nomination as Most Promising Newcomer. Hampton appeared with Reynolds in several other movies including The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing, Hustle and W.W. and The Dixie Dancekings. During the 1980's, Hampton would direct multiple episodes of Reynolds' sitcom Evening Shade.
Hampton other TV credits include Mannix, Love, American Style and a memorable role as Aaron Ironwood, the con artist cousin of James Rockford on The Rockford Files. He also appeared on the silver screen in The China Syndrome, Sling Blade and Teen Wolf with Michael J. Fox. Ironically, Hampton would be afflicted with the same disease as Fox. In lieu of flowers, Hampton requested that donations be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.
In addition to Evening Shade, Hampton also directed episodes of Boston Common, Sister, Sister, Grace Under Fire and The Tony Danza Show.
I remember Hampton appearing on a 1977 episode of The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Hampton spoke with Carson about how people would recognize him but not know his name. This included fellow guest Richard Pryor who remembered him from The Longest Yard.
Last February, Hampton published his autobiography What? And Give Up Show Business? People might not have known James Hampton by name, but he spent more than 50 years as a working actor. No wonder he didn't give up. R.I.P.
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