In the case of so many famous Oklahoman’s remembering his/her name may be difficult but slight mention of a role in television or the big screen can bring up a face as clear as a bell. James Hampton may not instantly jog the memory but F-Troop, The Doris Day Show, Teen Wolf and The longest Yard should do it for most Oklahomans.
James Wade Hampton was born in Oklahoma City, Okla., on July 9, 1936. Over a careerspanningmorethan50 years, he worked as an actor, screenwriter and director.
For many Oklahomans watching television in 1965, a new slapstick comedy offered alively,sometimesburlesque reflection of 1960s culture through a post-Civil War setting. That show, F Troop, wassetatanOldWestUnited States Army post, where Hampton played Private Hannibal Dobbs. This series seemed to fit right in with the 1960s counterculture and offered an avenue of social change and some sense of normalcy as was the desire of many people.
From there, Hampton moved on to another periodbased series, The Doris Day Show, a CBS sitcom that aired for five years and blended controversy with comedy. Hampton also appeared in The Longest Yard, starring Burt Reynolds - a role that earned him a GoldenGlobeNominationfor Most Promising Newcomer.
For Gen Xers, the most recognizable role may be in Teen Wolf with Michael J. Fox. In the film, Fox plays a teenager who discovers he is a werewolf, while Hampton plays his dad, Harold Howard who is also a werewolf. Hampton later returned to the franchise in Teen Wolf Too and the Teen Wolf television series.
Iconic roles that Hampton rocked the stage with really noted his character, but a seedier movie was on the horizon. In Sling Blade, Hampton played Jerry Woolridge, the administrator who evaluated the leading role who was mentally unstable.
Hampton set his face in stone in many movies and television shows but these parts were not the only space he occupied. Other rolls and appearances included: Gunsmoke, The Last Ride, The China Syndrome, Hawmps, Police Academy 5, Fire From Below, The Association, Murder She Wrote, The Dukes of Hazard, Full House, Melrose Place, and many more.
Hampton called Fort Worth, Texas home for most of his life and dedicated a great deal of time to charities andmentoringupandcoming actors.
As is often true of famous Oklahomans, Hampton’s influence reached far beyond any single role. Sometimes an actor is remembered only as a character, whether hero or villain, but Hampton left something larger behind.