Variety has just reported that James Hampton has passed away, who you may remember him from such movies as Teen Wolf, The Longest Yard (1974), F Troop, and a slew of television shows. He also directed a lot of television show episodes during the mid to late ’90s like Sister, Sister & The Tony Danza Show.
Early Years
A southern boy, born in Oklahoma on July 9th, 1963, but was raised in Dallas, Texas. Where he attended college at the University of North Texas in Denton; he majored in theatre. After college, James served in the United States Army to perform with the USO out in Germany. Moving out to New York was his next play, where he got his first big break in an Oscar-nominated short called The Cliffdwellers. His role after that got him his big break on the television show by the name of Gunsmoke. He would meander from role to role until he landed the role of Harold, father to the lead, Scott Howard who was played by Michael J. Fox.
I’ll always remember James as Harold from Teen Wolf. Right after Michael J. Fox turns into a werewolf for the very first time in his bathroom, He opens the door to see his father, James Hampton, standing there already turned into a werewolf himself with his own gray werewolf hair. His sincere explanation to his son about being a werewolf is extremely heartfelt. Here, see for yourself.
He released an autobiography earlier this year by the name of, What? and Give up Show Business?; which covered all of his fifty-plus years in Hollywood. Even in the 2000s, he was still active as an actor with a handful of indie films including The Last Ride and Divine Access.
James Hampton leaves behind a wife, three children, and several grandchildren. The Hampton family wishes that in lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
Our condolences go out to the Hampton family.
