Laird Hamilton and George Hamilton are both famous names in their respective fields. Laird is a legendary big-wave surfer, co-inventor of tow-in surfing, and an occasional model and actor. George is a veteran Hollywood actor, known for his roles in films such as Home from the Hill, Love at First Bite, and The Godfather Part III. But are they related by blood or by marriage? The answer may surprise you.
Contents
Laird Hamilton’s Family Background
Laird Hamilton was born Laird John Zerfas on March 2, 1964, in San Francisco, California. His biological father, L. G. Zerfas, was of Greek descent and left the family before Laird’s first birthday. His mother, Joann Zyirek, moved to Hawaii with her infant son and met Bill Hamilton, a surfboard shaper and big-wave rider, on the North Shore of Oahu. Bill married Joann and adopted Laird, giving him his last name and introducing him to the world of surfing. Laird also has a half-brother, Lyon, who is also a surfer.
Laird grew up in a remote valley on Kauai island, where he developed his passion and skills for surfing. He dropped out of high school at 16 to pursue a modeling career and work in construction. He later became one of the most influential and innovative surfers of all time, pushing the boundaries of the sport with his feats of riding massive waves, such as Teahupo’o in Tahiti and Jaws in Maui. He also co-invented tow-in surfing, a technique that allows surfers to catch waves that are too big and fast for paddling. He has appeared in several documentaries and films about surfing, such as Riding Giants, The Endless Summer II, and Point Break. He is married to Gabrielle Reece, a former professional volleyball player and model, and they have three daughters.
George Hamilton’s Family Background
George Hamilton was born George Stevens Hamilton on August 12, 1939, in Memphis, Tennessee. His father, George “Spike” Hamilton, was a bandleader who traveled frequently for work. His mother, Anne Stevens Potter Hamilton Hunt Spaulding, was a Southern belle who had several marriages and divorces. George had three older brothers from his mother’s previous marriages. He moved around a lot as a child, living in Arkansas, Massachusetts, New York, and California.
George attended the Hackley School in Tarrytown, New York, where he graduated in 1957. He then moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. He signed a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and made his film debut in Crime & Punishment U.S.A., for which he won a Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer. He went on to star in various films in different genres, such as Home from the Hill, Light in the Piazza, Your Cheatin’ Heart, Once Is Not Enough, Love at First Bite, Zorro: The Gay Blade, The Godfather Part III, Doc Hollywood, and 8 Heads in a Duffel Bag. He also appeared in several TV shows and reality shows, such as Dynasty, Dancing with the Stars, Stewarts & Hamiltons, and The Celebrity Apprentice. He has been married twice: to actress Alana Stewart (with whom he has a son, actor Ashley Hamilton) and to beauty queen Kelly Le Brock (for one week). He also has another son from a previous relationship.
The Connection Between Laird Hamilton and George Hamilton
So are Laird Hamilton and George Hamilton related? The answer is no. They are not blood relatives nor are they related by marriage. They just happen to share the same last name and have some similarities in their careers and lifestyles.
However, there is a connection between them that goes beyond their surname. They are both friends with actor Woody Harrelson (who is also an avid surfer) and have appeared together in some of his projects. For example,
- Laird Hamilton played himself in Harrelson’s directorial debut Lost in London (2017), a live-streamed comedy film that also featured Owen Wilson.
- George Hamilton played himself in Harrelson’s comedy film Zombieland: Double Tap (2019), where he was one of the celebrity zombies that attacked the protagonists.
- Both Laird Hamilton and George Hamilton were guests on Harrelson’s podcast Son of a Boy Dad (2021), where they discussed their careers, hobbies, families, and opinions on various topics.
So while Laird Hamilton and George Hamilton are not related by blood or by marriage, they are related by friendship and by their involvement in Woody Harrelson’s projects.
Conclusion
Laird Hamilton and George Hamilton are both famous personalities who have made their mark in surfing and acting respectively. They have different family backgrounds and histories, but they share the same last name and some common interests. They are not related by blood or by marriage, but they are connected by their friendship with Woody Harrelson and their appearances in some of his projects. They are both examples of successful and adventurous men who have lived their lives to the fullest.
