Hale Hamilton was an American actor known for His Children’s Children, The Girl from Missouri, and The Great Lover. Born on February 28, 1883, in Fort Madison, Iowa, he became notable in the film industry, particularly in silent pictures and 1930s melodramas. He passed away on May 19, 1942, in Hollywood, California.
Personal and Family Life
Hale Hamilton had three marriages throughout his life. He was first married to Minnie Dorothy Pepper (also known as Jane Oaker) from 1901 to 1912, but they divorced. Afterward, he married Myrtle Tannehill in 1912, which ended in divorce by 1920. He then married Grace La Rue in May 1920 and remained with her until his death in 1942.
Career Highlights
Hamilton began his acting career on stage in 1901 before transitioning to films in 1915. Known for his heavy-set character roles, he became a busy supporting player in numerous films throughout the 1930s. Notably, he was the first actor to portray Tom Buchanan in the 1926 adaptation of The Great Gatsby. He also wrote three plays during his career.
Death and Legacy
Hale Hamilton died from a cerebral hemorrhage on May 19, 1942, in Hollywood, California. His contributions to the film industry, especially in the silent film era and early talkies, remain part of his legacy. Many still remember his notable roles and his impact as a character actor in classic cinema.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Most Dangerous Game | 1932-09-16 | Bill Woodman (uncredited) |
| I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang | 1932-11-09 | Rev. Allen |
| Employees’ Entrance | 1933-02-11 | Commodore Franklin Monroe |
| Love Affair | 1932-03-17 | Bruce Hardy |
| The Cuban Love Song | 1931-11-18 | John |
| Dr. Monica | 1934-06-23 | Dr. Brent |
| Those We Love | 1932-09-11 | Blake |
| Murder at Midnight | 1931-09-01 | Phillip Montrose |
| A Fool’s Advice | 1932-02-20 | George Diamond |
| Life Begins | 1932-09-10 | Dr. Cramm |
| Manhattan Tower | 1932-12-01 | David Witman |
| The Great Lover | 1931-07-18 | Stapleton |
| The Marines Are Coming | 1934-11-19 | Colonel Gilroy |
| Two Against the World | 1932-09-03 | Mr. Gordon Mitchell |
| Her Painted Hero | 1915-11-20 | A Matinee Idol |
| City Park | 1934-05-01 | Herbert Ransome |
| The Wolf Dog | 1933-09-29 | Norman Bryan |
| One Man’s Journey | 1933-08-31 | Dr. Tillinghast |
| Common Clay | 1930-08-01 | Judge Samuel Filson |
| The Great Gatsby | 1926-11-21 | Tom Buchanan |
| New Adventures of Get Rich Quick Wallingford | 1931-10-03 | Charles Harper |
| Parole Girl | 1933-03-04 | Anthony ‘Tony’ Grattan |
| The Drums of Jeopardy | 1931-03-01 | Martin Kent |