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James Gammon Obituary
His agent, Merritt Blake, said Monday that Gammon had cancer and died Friday at his daughter's home in Costa Mesa.
The craggy-faced actor also played the father on the Don Johnson TV show "Nash Bridges."
In addition to dozens of TV and movie appearances, Gammon was a noted stage actor who co-founded the MET Theatre in Los Angeles. Gammon starred in several Sam Shepherd plays, receiving a Tony nomination for his work on a 1996 Broadway production of "Buried Child."
Gammon is survived by his wife, a brother and sister, two daughters and two grandchildren.
Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press
342 Entries
Layne Mason
May 30, 2025
I always loved his talent as an actor. Thank you sir you will always be missed.
Donna Ward
May 14, 2025
I absolutely loved this man that played Don Johnson's dad.This just breaks my heart
Harry Simpson
July 16, 2019
Godspeed James. Thank you for the wonderful memories. Unforgettable....
William Brookens
February 3, 2015
I loved James as the manager in Major League. He is missed very much!!
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July 17, 2014
James Gammon was among the greatest character actors I have ever seen. I always looked forward to seeing him act whenever possible. He had a great range; he was just as good playing a comedic role as he was portraying a villain. He was a superb talent! I am so saddened by this news. May your beautiful family memories help assuage your sorrow.
J. Johnson (Lubbock, TX)
E Forte
September 23, 2010
I was lucky enough to attend a performance of "The Late Henry Moss" in San Francisco back in 2000. My main reason for being there was to see James Gammon live on stage. What a great actor. I thoroughly enjoyed him on "Nash Bridges" over the years. He had the attributes that make a good actor GREAT: talent, dedication, humility, and longevity. He will be sorely missed. I'll never forget witnessing one of my favorite actors in a brand-new play by my all-time favorite playwright. God Bless. -- from Asheville, North Carolina
rick mullins
September 20, 2010
I am sorry for your losses with Mr Gammon.I enjoyed his role on nash bridges, he really made the show.he will be greatly missed.
Barbara Laymon
August 18, 2010
May light perpetual shine upon him. Please seem my blog for what he meant to my family and me. http://barbaralaymon.com/blog.htm
katie harper
August 12, 2010
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Marcia Boor
August 12, 2010
So sorry for the loss of your loved one! May happy memories of him bring you peace!
Marcia Boor
August 11, 2010
I am sorry for your loss - Rita Boggs (Youngstown, OH)
Karen McPike
August 9, 2010
Seen him on Nash Bridges and sorry for your loss.
August 9, 2010
What a wonderful actor he was. I have always enjoyed his abilities over many years.Never saw him give a poor performance..My condolences to the family..
annamarie assenato
August 2, 2010
he was a grate actor there will be no one
eles like him he will be truly be miss
may his soul rest in peace..... to all the gammon family my deepest sympanty
thomas crow
July 31, 2010
great actor and his voice was unmistakable. No one like him
Mark O'Malley
July 29, 2010
Mr. Gammon was a true actor, and will be missed by this fan. God Bless him and his family.
Mary Jeffers
July 29, 2010
In Memory of James Gammon: So sorry to hear of your passing. I recalled seeing you in "Major League" and loving every minute of it. Loved your voice. Also another memorable performance on "In the Heat of the Night" with Carroll O'Conner. Would haved loved to have met you and got your autograph. Thanks for all the great memories and enjoy your rest now.
God promised us three scores and ten. You made it. You've earned your rest.
Joshua Hammett
July 29, 2010
My best wishes to your family, we all enjoyed seeing your husband and father in his many roles. Thank you for sharing him with the public. I hope you are proud to see how many people loved him even though they never had the pleasure of meeting him.
July 29, 2010
Loved watching him on Nash Bridges as "Nick". He will be missed. Judy F. (Blacksburg, VA)
Terry Wyatt
July 29, 2010
I am so sorry for your loss, I loved his roles that he played on TV, I thought that he was a great actor. Terry, strawberryt46@!att.net
sherry bingham
July 28, 2010
I am saddened at the passing of Mr. Gammon I really enjoyed him in Nash Bridges and some other hings Ihave seen him in. God bless his family.
Joseph Bieliunas
July 28, 2010
A great character actor has passed. My father, mother and I always enjoyed him in Nash Bridges and his other acting endeavors. My condolences to his family and friends. May you find comfort knowing that he was loved, by many, for all his work in movies and television.
July 28, 2010
I was so saddened by the passing of Mr. Gammon.. He was not only such a great actor, but the nicest person you'd ever want to meet. I had the pleasure of meeting and talking to him whenever he use to come shopping at Publix in Ocala, where I use to work. The last time I ran into him, we chatted for awhile, he was wondering why he hadn't seen me in a long time. I told him I retired and he was happy for me and wished me the best. He will surely be missed. My sincerest condolences to the Gammon Family. Linda Krupinski (Citrus Springs, Fl.)
Laura Hebert
July 28, 2010
A terrific actor and very special man.We will all miss him dearly. As I watch his movies they will have a "special" meaning. Know that he made so many, many people happy by doing what he loved. May stories of your years together bring you peace. Thank you for sharing him with the world! He will live on forever through his work. You and your family are in our hearts and prayers.
Susan Sanders
July 28, 2010
Wonderful, wonderful actor. Will miss him.
Cat Green
July 28, 2010
He was loved and will be missed--condolences to the family. Loved him in
Nash Bridges!
Judi
July 28, 2010
What a great actor he was!
Char Prewitt
July 28, 2010
I have always enjoyed watching this fine man in so many rolls he played and I got a kick out of him as Nash Bridges father. He was a hoot. He will be missed. A fan.
Jacob Deaton
July 28, 2010
I always loved the humor be brought to the screen in Major League. I will miss him. My condolences to the family in this time of loss. What a great actor.
Francie Mendenhall
July 28, 2010
God bless Jim's family and all the friends who'll miss him so much. Francie Mendenhall (Met Theatre 70's)
July 28, 2010
Oh I am so sad. Loved him in Cold Mtn. and also Major League. A wonderful actor will be missed.
Penny Kendall
July 28, 2010
Mr. Gammon's appearances always delighted me. I smiled whenever I heard that distinctive voice, knowing I would see somethning special.
My sympathy to his family and for all those who enjoyed his work.
Sophia Wilkerson
July 28, 2010
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Renee
July 28, 2010
To the family. I just heard of his passing and he will be missed on the big screen. He was most unique and fun to watch. Sorry for your loss. God bless.
Lisa Calvert
July 28, 2010
I loved him as Nash Bridges Dad! Also in the movie Revenge with Kevin Costner and Madeline Stowe.
Angela Peck
July 28, 2010
HE WAS A GREAT ACTOR. HE WILL BE MISSED !
MAY HE REST IN PEACE !
Marc Colver
July 28, 2010
I know he played many many wonderful roles, but I LOVED him as Rudy on "Bagdad Cafe"! May he rest in peace.
NANCY CAREY
July 27, 2010
HE WAS A WONDERFUL ACTOR AND A FRIEND TO MANY. HE WAS SUCH A GENTLEMEN AND I WISH ALL THE PRAYERS AND CONDOLANCES TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
July 27, 2010
I just saw Major League last night and was delighted to see Mr. Gammon once again. He was a wonderful actor. May your fond memories and faith sustain you.
With sympathy.
A fan from Massachusetts.
D Hickman
July 27, 2010
Though I never met him...I loved having him in my livingroom dearly...I hope your memories of him are as fond as mine and god bless you as you walk down this path of life.
Dave Cox
July 27, 2010
Great person. He will be missed by all ---
YOLANDA TOSCANO
July 27, 2010
I THINK I HAVE SEEM EVERY MOVIE YOU'VE BEEN IN AND YOU ALWAYS ADDED SOMETHING SPECIAL TO YOU PART. FROM COWBOYS, MYSTERIES, KILLERS ETC YOU HAD SOMEHING SPECIAL. I WILL MISS YOU AND HEAVEN HAS RECVEIVED THE BEST WE HAVE.GOD BLESS.
July 27, 2010
All you leave in this life is a memory. Make it a good one. He did...
A Fan
July 27, 2010
I am truly sorry for your loss. He was a wonderful actor & left us with many memories and warm thoughts to cherish. May Our Heavenly Father comfort you and give you the strength to cope and endure.
Mr&Mrs Larry Brooks
July 27, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
jim dempsey
July 27, 2010
famous line ,,, givem the heaterrr.. rip james
Dana
July 27, 2010
So sorry for your loss. He was a great actor loved his work. He will be missed, God Bless.
frank
July 26, 2010
A great character actor has left us... I will always remember his work in "Cold Mountain" and "Conagher"...
Melissa McCauley
July 26, 2010
So sorry for your loss. He was such a talented man and will be truly missed. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Donna S.
July 26, 2010
I am very sorry for your loss, my prayers are with you and yours. I really enjoyed James as an actor. He will be missed.
2 Corinthians 1:4
July 26, 2010
I am sorry for your loss. May the God of all comfort and tender mercies be with you during your time of sorrow.
July 26, 2010
Your Dad, and husband, gave us great pleasure, not only as an actor, but just looking into his eyes, you knew he was a kind man.
As others have said, thank you for supporting him in sharing his skill to be believable with the public.
You are in our prayers.
R. L. Burgess
Jerry Burson
July 26, 2010
He will be missed by all his former classmates in Casey, Illinois. We were so glad he was able to make it back to Casey so we could all visit with him. Jerry & Janet Burson, Casey, Illinois Jerry and Ted Hutton are very good friends. Jerry and Jim played basketball together on Coach Wildman's Jr. High School team.
john doe
July 26, 2010
Forget the curve ball Ricky,........Give em the Heater!!!!!!!!!!
dianna york
July 26, 2010
He was a wonderful actor sorry to hear that he passed. Much love to the family and friends.
Corinne Chicolini
July 26, 2010
I have always loved his acting work. He will surely be missed. My heart goes out to you. Losing a parent or child is one of the most difficult and heartwrenching moments you will ever endure.
Rich & Carleen Vogen
July 26, 2010
My husband and I have enjoyed his acting for years. We watched him in many films and then in Nash Bridges. We are still watching him in reruns. Thank you for sharing him all these years.
Our sympathies to the family. He will be missed.
Daffianee Gil
July 26, 2010
He was a great actor. I grew up watching him in westerns to tv series and he will always be an actor that can't be forgotten. He will be missed and my sympathies go out to his family.
Jeanne Moody
July 26, 2010
loved that gravelly voice!
Mandy Stewart
July 25, 2010
Major league was and still is my favorite movie of all time. he was so funny in all he played in. will be missed.
joe sawyer
July 25, 2010
we remember this great tv theather actor who found a theatre in losangles my sympathies go out to his family
Casey Clark
July 25, 2010
Sorry for your loss,As a simple man I can only think of the good times of my Father I miss every day.Just try to smile And try to think of why you miss him.And hope we would be so lucky to give so much to be so missed.He lived through some hard times also and found it in him to give so much to all of us.God bless.
CINDY
July 25, 2010
DIDN'T KNOW HIS NAME, BUT KNEW HIS FACE AND ENJOYED HIM AS AN ACTOR. REST IN PEACE
Bill & Kathy Andrus
July 25, 2010
We knew Jim way back thru our school days.
He was a very good and talented actor and he will be missed by all his old friends here in Orlando.
Betty Elder
July 25, 2010
I am so sorry for your lost. He seem to be such a gentle man. He will be missed.
Mary S
July 25, 2010
James was one of my most favorite actors. He will be forever missed. Please accept my condolences; and may God ease the pain of your loss.
Marilyn Pettinga
July 25, 2010
I thoroughly enjoyed watching him play Don Johnson's dad in "Nash Bridges", and in other roles over the years. My sincere condolences go out to his family and friends. He will be deeply missed.
July 25, 2010
We lost a great actor and I will miss him a lot. dave mihay
Robin Clinton
July 25, 2010
So very sorry to hear of your loss. I enjoyed his movies and he did have such a unique voice. Peace to you all in this time of grief.
July 24, 2010
So HE was the loveable guy in all of those movies! I will miss seeing his humanistic and gentle touch in film. God bless his family in this time of sorrow. I am grateful to God that he lived.
peco hodges
July 24, 2010
james,when you get to heaven,tell timothy scott hey.
Kimberlie Morris
July 24, 2010
So sorry for your loss. I have watched Mr. Gammon as long as I can remember both in movies and on television. I loved his sensitivity, and vulnerability on Nash Bridges. He will be sorely missed. Thanks for sharing him with all of us for so many years.
Kim
Aging Cynic
July 24, 2010
His portrayal of Don Johnson's father with Alzheimers was absolutely brilliant. I'm told he was a lovely gentleman. A real loss. Rest in peace, Mr. Gammon.
Jerold Franks
July 24, 2010
My sincerest condolences to the Gammon family. His talent and gifts are sealed forever on film. One of the nicest actors in our business - he will be missed personally and professionally.
Jerold Franks
Past President
Casting Society of America
Virginia Garringer
July 24, 2010
Sorry to hear that James died. I met him in the Best Western in Rio Rancho, NM. He was making a movie here then. We talked almost every day about things and his movies. I am in housekeeping and he was so nice to me. Mrs. Gammon you and James were very nice when you were here and I am sorry for your loss. Virginia Garringer, Rio Rancho, NM
Deanna Neuberg
July 24, 2010
My sincerest condolences to James Gammon's Family~
Jeff Grantham
July 24, 2010
In Major League, James Gammon delivered some of the best one-liners in motion picture history and did it with perfection! Sorry for your loss. He will be dearly missed.
Cathy Littlefield
July 24, 2010
To the family and Don Johnson... Sooooo Sorry for the passing of your family and Friend.... He will be Missed by Lots of people he didn't even know...
Julie Kline
July 23, 2010
So very sad to hear about Mr. Gammom's passing. I hope he was not in any pain. I loved him in Major League and found him absolutely wonderful in Nash Bridges. Rest in peace James.
a big fan
July 23, 2010
Mr Gammon will be missed . I can still hear that voice . He will be forever remembered . Rest in peace , you will be missed..
Ernie Epitropoulos
July 23, 2010
Our sympathies to the Gammon family. Loved him in the classic "Major League" movie. Seems like his charactor was just a natural extension of his real self.
May his memory be eternal
July 23, 2010
My condolences to the family. I loved him in Nash Bridges, this is a great loss.
July 23, 2010
Sorry for your lost, I remember seeing him on Nash Bridges and other shows but we are only fans you have lost a love one. Just remember God is there to comfort you if you turn to him. He invites us to throw our burdens upon him. (Psalm 55:22)
rachel jollimore
July 23, 2010
sorry to here of your lost i loved watching your dad in nash bridges he was a very good actor he will be missed
Wanda Forrester
July 23, 2010
I love him as Nashs' dad he was a great actor.
LINDA KOON
July 23, 2010
My condolences to the family. I have really enjoyed his work over the years and I really thought he was a 'hoot'. God Bless Him.
John Zuehlke
July 23, 2010
He was a great actor and seemed like a total class act. My sympathy to the Gammon family. Throw 'em the heater Ricky!
Billy Howard
July 23, 2010
God Bless his Family, I really enjoyed watching him on Nash Bridges..You could tell even in real life he was a nice soul...God Bless !!
Debbie Gammon/ Pegram
July 23, 2010
My condolences to the Gammon Family at this difficult time! I remember him from many movies from the past and mainly Nash Bridges. He was a down to earth type of actor. He made every person that he played, real! I know that he will be missed! I have been meaning to try to find out his family history too! I too am a Gammon. I am from Virginia. You can email me when you get the chance! [email protected]
sara smith
July 23, 2010
RIP,thank you for sharing your family member with the rest of us,
July 23, 2010
good bye buddy
July 23, 2010
I remember him well. Bless his family with comfort over the loss.Dorisann Dahl of Twentynine Palms CA
Dorothy Smith
July 23, 2010
A great loss to his fans. He was so genuine and full of spirit. He will be missed. God bless your family with lovely memories and peacefulness.
Melissa Wright
July 22, 2010
I remember Mr Gammon when he was on nashbridges, the waltons he was a great actor and he will be missed.
Cynthia Flores
July 22, 2010
My condolences to the Gammon family. I was honored to had been on the same set with Mr. Gammon on the television movie "Two Mothers for Zachary" filmed in Austin,TX. I also enjoyed his character role on "Urban Cowboy". Thank you Mr. Gammon for all your great work! He will be truly missed by ALL. God Bless.
Marilyn Cimring
July 22, 2010
I remember him oh so well. What a voice and what a teddy bear.
MCM
Bernie
July 22, 2010
Mr. Gammon was a gentleman. My daughter appeared with him in the film "Altered" and was delighted by him. She was very excited to work with him. A fine performance even to the end when the alien took him. He was a very talented actor with an extremely impressive resume. He will be missed in the business. Condolences for his family.
July 22, 2010
May his soul rest in peace, and may God grant his family strength as they mourn the loss of this wonderful man. God Bless.
Joyce, Boston, MA
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