Early Life and Career
Leigh Hamilton was a New Zealand-born American actress and art gallery owner, who appeared in several films and television shows from the 1970s to the 1990s. She was born in Auckland, New Zealand, on December 20, 1949, to parents Colleen and Derek Hiene. She moved to the United States to pursue acting. She began her career with small television roles during the 1970s, including parts on Kojak, The Mod Squad, Baretta, Banyon, and McMillan & Wife. She co-starred in films such as A Man, a Woman, and a Bank in 1979, Forced Vengeance in 1982, and Gas Food Lodging in 1992. She was also cast in smaller parts in P.K. and the Kid in 1987 and Hocus Pocus in 1993, a Halloween-themed comedic film starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Bette Midler, and Kathy Najimy. (according to Wikipedia)
Art Gallery and Retirement from Acting
In 1994, Hamilton opened the Hamilton Galleries in the Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, and simultaneously left acting to focus on her art business. She represented California-based artists, including Brooke Adams, who had co-starred with Hamilton in A Man, a Woman, and a Bank and Gas Food Lodging. The Hamilton Galleries are now located on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, California, as of 2012. (according to The Hollywood Reporter)
Death and Legacy
Leigh Hamilton died at Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, on September 8, 2012, at the age of 62. She was survived by her husband, Warren Long, to whom she had been married for nineteen years; their daughter, Tallulah; and her four brothers. The cause of her death was stomach cancer, according to her IMDb profile. She was remembered as a talented actress and a passionate art lover, who supported many local artists and contributed to the cultural scene of Los Angeles. (according to The Malibu Times and IMDb)
