Biography

Big John Hamilton was born on October 29, 1916 in Asheville, North Carolina, USA. He was an actor, known for Tough Enough (1983), Bandolero! (1968) and Hellfighters (1968). He died on December 5, 1984 in San Antonio, Texas, USA.

Was part of a group of actors, often referred to as "The John Wayne Stock Company," that John Wayne regularly used in his films.

In his autobiography (McFarland 2001), James Arness said the first public appearance he made after beginning Gunsmoke was for a close friend Big John Hamilton. The appearance was at a Texas charity event called "The Milk Bowl" which was a youth football game. Arness mentioned Hamilton's San Antonio restaurant Big John's Steakhouse and said Hamilton remained a pal for years.

Was in Jackie Chan's first international film, Battle Creek Brawl (1980).