James Hampton

1936 - 2021

James Hampton
July 9, 1936 - April 7, 2021
Trophy Club, Texas - James Hampton, award-winning actor/director/writer/producer and Hollywood funny-man, passed away at his home in Trophy Club, Texas on April 7, 2021 from complications of Parkinson's disease, with his wife Mary at his side.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.
Born in Oklahoma City and raised in Dallas, James attended North Texas State College (now the University of North Texas) where he was named Alumni of the Year in 1981. While at NTSC, he majored in Speech and Drama and appeared in a number of productions at the school. While in college, James served his country as a member of the Naval Air Reserve and upon leaving for New York City in 1959 was drafted into the Army: on April Fools Day! Upon his return to Fort Worth after serving in Europe, he was encouraged by a professor at NTSC to pursue a career in acting and to seek his first professional job at Casa Manana. After appearing in a number of productions there, he moved back to New York City in 1962.
Shortly after arriving back in New York, James landed the lead in a short subject film called One Plus One (later named The Cliff Dwellers) which was ultimately nominated for an Academy Award. After the film's nomination, James was courted by the prestigious Kohner Agency wanting to represent him. James conferred with his good pal and college pledge brother, actor/singer Pat Boone, who said "Gee, I wished they were my agents!". James quickly elected to sign with The Kohner Agency and landed his first Hollywood acting role on what was then the number one television show in the country, Gunsmoke. In fact, he appeared twice more on the show and proceeded to embark on an acting career that has lasted half a century.
James Hampton's career as an actor, writer and director spanned 50 years. Along the way, he was nominated for a Golden Globe for his role as "Caretaker" in the original version of The Longest Yard, and starred in such memorable films as Sling Blade, Teen Wolf, Teen Wolf Too, China Syndrome, Hawmps!, Condorman, Pump Up The Volume and Police Academy V just to name a few.
On television, he was the tone-deaf Bugler Hannibal Dobbs on the classic 60's sitcom F Troop and appeared in hundreds of T.V. show favorites like Who's The Boss?, Mama's Family, The Bob Newhart Show and Western favorites such as Gunsmoke, The Guns of Will Sonnet, and Rawhide. James was a favorite of Johnny Carson and became a regular guest on The Tonight Show, with over 30 appearances. He also worked as a writer/producer/director on Evening Shade, and was a recurring director on numerous successful sitcoms such as Hearts of Fire, Sister Sister, Smart Guy, The Tony Danza Show, Linc's, Boston Common, and Grace Under Fire.
When James decided to semi-retire in 2002, there was no question but that he would do so back in the Fort Worth area with his wife, Mary, spending time speaking to drama students at colleges and high schools and participating in charity events and celebrity golf tournaments to raise money for those in need as he had for over 35 years. It came as no surprise that James continued to receive fan mail from all over the world almost weekly.
James's autobiography, "What? And Give Up Show Business?" was published earlier this year by Texas Christian University Press and was met with wonderful reviews. It is available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and TCU Press.
The family appreciates your love and support and asks for privacy at this time.
Survived by his wife Mary, children, James, Andrea and Frank, and his grandchildren as well as legions of friends and fans.