Murray Hamilton was a prolific American actor who appeared in many films and television shows, but he is best remembered for his role as Larry Vaughn, the stubborn mayor of Amity Island, in the classic thriller Jaws and its sequel Jaws 2. Hamilton’s career spanned over four decades, but it was cut short by his death from lung cancer in 1986. In this article, we will explore the life and career of Murray Hamilton, as well as the circumstances and details of his death.
Early Life and Career
Murray Hamilton was born on March 24, 1923, in Washington, North Carolina. He developed an interest in acting during his high school days, and moved to New York City at the age of 19 to pursue a career on stage. He made his Broadway debut in 1945 in The Wind Is Ninety, and went on to appear in several other plays, including Mister Roberts, Critic’s Choice, and The Best Man.
Hamilton also started working in films and television in the late 1940s. Some of his notable film roles include Al Pacquette, the bartender who testifies in the murder trial of Anatomy of a Murder (1959), Bert Gordon, the ruthless pool shark manager in The Hustler (1961), Mr. Robinson, the father of the seduced Elaine in The Graduate (1967), and Father Ryan, the priest who tries to exorcise the haunted house in The Amityville Horror (1979).
Hamilton was also a familiar face on the small screen, appearing in dozens of TV shows such as The Twilight Zone, Perry Mason, The Untouchables, Gunsmoke, Love and Marriage, Columbo, and MAS*H.
Jaws and Jaws 2
Hamilton’s most famous role was that of Larry Vaughn, the mayor of Amity Island, a fictional seaside resort town that is terrorized by a great white shark in Jaws (1975) and Jaws 2 (1978). Hamilton portrayed Vaughn as a greedy and stubborn politician who refuses to close the beaches despite the shark attacks, putting the lives of the tourists and residents at risk. Hamilton’s performance was praised by critics and audiences alike, and he became one of the most memorable villains in cinema history.
Hamilton reprised his role as Vaughn in Jaws 2, which was released three years after the original film. In this sequel, Vaughn is still the mayor of Amity Island, but he has learned his lesson from the previous shark incident and is more cooperative with the authorities. However, he still faces pressure from the business owners who want to keep the island open for tourism. Hamilton’s role was smaller in this film than in the first one, but he still delivered a convincing performance.
Hamilton was approached to reprise his role as Vaughn again in Jaws: The Revenge (1987), the fourth and final installment of the Jaws franchise. However, he died before he could accept or decline the offer.
Death from Lung Cancer
Hamilton was a heavy smoker for most of his life, which eventually led to him developing lung cancer. He was diagnosed with the disease in 1985, and underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments. However, his condition worsened and he died on September 1, 1986, at his home in Washington, North Carolina. He was 63 years old.
Hamilton’s death was mourned by his fans and colleagues. He was survived by his wife Terri DeMarco, whom he married in 1953, and his son David Hamilton. He was buried at Oakdale Cemetery in his hometown.
Hamilton’s legacy lives on through his films and TV shows, especially Jaws and Jaws 2. He is widely regarded as one of the best character actors of his generation, who could play a variety of roles with skill and charisma. He is also remembered for his friendship with fellow actor George C. Scott, who helped him get a part in The Last Days of Patton (1986), a TV movie about General George S. Patton’s final days after World War II. This was Hamilton’s last acting role before his death.
According to Wikipedia, Hamilton once said about his acting career: “I don’t care whether I play a good guy or a bad guy. I just like to play guys that are real.”
