"Biography"
"Trooper Hannibal Dobbs"
James Wade Hampton was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on July 9, 1936. Shortly thereafter, his family, including his older brother, Blake, moved to Dallas, Texas. There, Jim, Blake, and younger brother, Dan, received their education. Blake preceded James to North Texas State University, majored in Commercial Art and pledged the Talons Fraternity. Later, the Talons became the Gamma Lambda Chapter of the Kappa Alpha Order. James pledged in 1955.
Jim was too outgoing to continue as an Art major himself and switched to Speech and Drama with an English minor. Jim loved campus politics and was elected to Cheerleader as a Freshman and runner-up as "Ugliest Man on Campus", a dubious, but much sought after award. While pledging K.A., Boomer Powell dubbed him as the "Gazelle Boy". After placing dead fish in Boomer's shoes, "The Gazelle Boy" spent some nights under Boomer's bed.
After college, Jim worked for a while as a photojournalist for U.P.I. in Dallas. It soon became apparent to all concerned that Hampton had very little ability in this area, apart from being a good speller, and soon he moved on to his dream job--bartending. That position too, was short lived, as Hampton simply couldn't find it in his heart to charge his friends and a generous bartender has a horde of friends. Jim's employer's parting remarks were "I'm doing more business than I've ever done in my life and I'm losing money."
Leaving Dallas for New York, Hampton tried several jobs in the "Big Apple", body guard for a jeweler, photographer, toy demonstrator and coat and hat watcher at St. Thomas Episcopal Church on Fifth Avenue (derelicts were prone to enter the church foyer during church services and help themselves to fine cashmere overcoats and XXX Beaver Homberg hats). It was up to Hampton, for $5.00 a Sunday, to put an end to this thievery, or, at least establish the boundaries of Christian charity.
On April 1, 1959, the U.S. Army offered Jim a job with a 2-year promise of employment. This came as a surprise to Jim who had been in the Naval Air Reserve for 5 years. Nevertheless, as anyone who has ever dealt with the I.R.S. knows, the government doesn't make mistakes. Soon Hampton found himself in "F-Troop" (honest to God) of the 6th Armored Cavalry in Ft. Knox, Kentucky. After a summer of learning his left foot from his right, he was sent to Bavaria.
There, Jim's years of college drama classes paid off and he was picked to run a spotlight at a soldier show. Before long, her was doing plays and touring U.S.O. shows on the Czech border. He received 2 commendations and won Best Actor in Europe. Eventually, the Army recognized his enormous potential and promoted him to Private First Class.
Following his stint in the Army, Jim returned to the Denton area. His former roommate, Bob Porter, then Amusement Editor for the Denton Chronicle, told him about a series of plays that was being done at Casa Manana Playhouse in Fort Worth. At last, Hampton was a working actor doing a summer of plays and musicals and receiving his Actor's Equity Card. Jim now belongs to 6 show business unions-which means that even if has a job, his is still out of work in 5 other unions.
Unable to pay his bar tab in Dallas, Jim went back to New York. There, Jim did his first movie role. A short subject about a lonely guy from Texas who couldn't get a date in New York. It was quite a stretch for him, but he fooled them again and the movie was nominated for an Academy Award. Hampton, who never really liked to work anyway, had found his calling.
Since then, Jim has been nominated for a Golden Globe Award for the role of "Caretaker" in "The Longest Yard", nominated, as a cast member, for a Screen Actor's Guild Award for "Sling Blade" and was even elected Alumnus of the Year in 1980 at his Alma Mater, an institution he was asked to leave in 1957. But Hampton, who owns his own tux, does not hold a grudge when there is a free dinner involved.
Currently, James is living in the Dallas/Fort Worth area with his wife, Mary. He has two children, Jimmy and Andrea, and a grandson, Christian.
Quick Reference
Background: Born in Oklahoma City, July 9, 1936. Grew up in Dallas, Texas, where father owned and operated cleaners. Two brothers; Blake, an artist living in Connecticut, and Dan, a rodeo clown.
Education: Theatre arts major at University of North Texas in Denton. Studied acting with Michael Howard in New York and Leonard Nimoy in Los Angeles. Worked with Baruch Lumet ant Know Street Theatre in Dallas.
Theatre: Summer stock at Casa Manana in Fort Worth. Off Broadway in "Easy Does It" with Tom Poston and Liz Allen. Toured with Burt Reynolds in "Rainmaker". Starred in "Tender Trap" with Burt at Arlington Pak Theatre in Chicago and played title role in "Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?" at the same theatre with Mamie Van Doren and Rick Jason.
Awards: Best Actor Award, U.S. Armed Forces European Command. Starred in Academy Award nominated short subject, "The Cliffdwellers". Alumnus of the Year, 2980, University of North Texas. Golden Globe nomination for "Most Promising Newcomer" for the part of "Caretaker" in "The Longest Yard", 1972. WHO's Who since 1971. Bronze Halo Award for "Hawmps".
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