Hamilton’s sunny life had its share of sex
The recent spate of male movie stars writing their life stories – including Tony Curtis, Robert Vaughn and Robert Wagner – offers something that would have been verboten in their studio years: sex, sex and more sex.
George Hamilton joins the tell-all trend with his memoir, “Don’t Mind If I Do.”
His many sexual exploits described in the book involve such notables as Marilyn Monroe, Mamie Van Doren, Judy Garland and Danielle Steel.
The autobiography, written with celebrity author William Stadiem, begins with Hamilton’s adventures on “Dancing With the Stars.”
“When I heard it was a ballroom dancing show, I wasn’t very interested,” Hamilton said. “But my agent said it was an important show, so I agreed.”
Hamilton turned 69 in August and seems youthful, except for a swath of white hair above his forehead. He looked athletic in dark pants and shirt, the top two buttons loose. His face was unlined and, of course, bore the Hamilton tan.
“It’s so sad that I parlayed tanning into a career,” he said with a smile, referring not only to his enduring Hollywood persona, but also a successful chain of tanning salons.
The central figure in “Don’t Mind If I Do” is Hamilton’s biological mother, whom he describes as “incredibly beautiful, a real charmer, the ultimate Southern belle, irresistible to men.”
Hamilton came to Hollywood on a lark as soon as he finished high school in Palm Beach. Fla.
“I had $90 in my pocket,” he remarked, “and I paid $90 for four photographs to show the studios. I didn’t have much luck.”
Finally he landed the leading role in a 1959 version of the Russian classic “Crime and Punishment.” The picture cost $90,000 and Hamilton was paid $1,800.
“I went off to South America to become a bull fighter,” Hamilton said. “While I was there, ‘Crime and Punishment’ was released and got rave reviews. MGM saw it, and my agent told me to come back. MGM wanted to sign me to a contract. It paid $500 a week.”
Hamilton was cast in “Home From the Hill,” which starred Robert Mitchum and Eleanor Parker, followed by a youth picture, “All the Fine Young Cannibals.” With his career flourishing, he demanded and was awarded $1,000 a week.
As his fame grew, Hamilton became noted for squiring screen beauties, notably Elizabeth Taylor. He also dated Linda Bird Johnson, daughter of President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Hamilton had only one marriage, to Alana Collins, the mother of his son Ashley Hamilton, now 34. Their marriage ended in divorce.
Hamilton had a second son, 8-year-old George Thomas Hamilton – known as G.T. – with Kimberly Blackford.
“I don’t use the phrase ‘I love you’ very often,” he said, “but I say it every time I talk to my children.”
The birthday bunch
Screenwriter Joe Eszterhas (“Basic Instinct,” “Showgirls”) is 64. Actor Steve Landesberg (“Barney Miller”) is 63. Singer Bruce Hornsby is 54. Actor Oded Fehr is 38. Actress Kelly Brook (“Smallville”) is 29. Actor Lucas Grabeel (“High School Musical”) is 24. Singer-actress Miley Cyrus (“Hannah Montana”) is 16.