John Hamilton

Biography

British actor principally of juvenile adult roles in early British talkies. Hamilton was born in Hampstead, London. He acted in amateur productions as a boy, making his debut in "The Knight in Shining Armour" at the age of 6. Following the First World War, Hamilton made his professional debut in London, as Laurie in "Little Women." He followed this with Charley in "Charley's Aunt" and Dick in "The Blue Lagoon." He was signed to a personal contract by J.E. Vedrenne, who cast him in "Secrets." During the stage run of this show, Hamilton was spotted in a London bank by film producer Graham Cutts, who thought he had an interesting face. Cutts cast him in his first film, White Shadows (1924), in a small role with Betty Compson. Hamilton worked steadily in films for the next six years, including a period of time making pictures in Germany. Concurrent with the arrival of sound films, Hamilton made his last known picture in 1930. Little is known of him thereafter. He is sometimes confused with American actors John Hamilton and John F. Hamilton, though he never worked in America.