Colin Fergus Hamilton

Colin Hamilton 1934-2023

“He was born with a gift of laughter and a sense that the world was mad.” ―

Rafael Sabatini, Scaramouche

That was a favorite quote of Colin Hamilton, who loved to laugh, and appreciated whatever and whomever made him laugh. This wonderfully complex man peacefully “shuffled off this mortal coil” six days before his 89th birthday, surrounded by members of his family. He was an actor…he knew when to take his final bow.

Born to deaf parents in the north of England during the Great Depression, he spent his infancy and toddler years in Scotland. At the height of WWII, he was sent away to a boarding school located right beside a Royal Air Force (RAF) airfield, a prime target for German bombers. It may have given him a sense for the absurd.

Colin received scholarships to study Classics at the University of Toronto; but shortly before graduating from Pocklington School, he had a serious bicycling accident that had him fighting for his life. His mother refused to leave his side, and to everyone’s amazement, he survived. He learned fortitude which would help him survive the hardships of an acting career in New York and Hollywood.

His emigration to Canada was delayed; but he managed to find a one-year position at the Fir’s School in the Yorkshire moors as an 18-year-old master. He began by teaching Latin, then added French, history, reading, cricket, football and running. “I really had no qualifications, but I got away with it. A most tremendous experience.”

In 1954, he set sail for the New World and what would become his hometown, Toronto, Canada. He enrolled at the University while supporting himself with jobs including salesman, display-man in a department store, a white collar desk worker (“Awful”) and factory worker. One day, he stumbled into the student union looking for the swimming pool, but instead discovered a play rehearsal. Before he knew it, he was cast, and became “…all hung-up on acting.” He went on to say, “…when I don’t have a show, I’m really lost….”

During the summers, he became a wandering player in resort summer stock, and in his senior year the Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC) began calling offering him parts in live television dramas. He continued to answer; but as happens in show business, the CBC work dried up.

Appleby College, a boarding and prep school, in Oakville, Ontario, opportunistically obtained his services as Latin master, assistant housemaster, and consultant to the director of the Dramatic Club. Before he assumed his duties, the CBC (demonstrating the fickleness of the entertainment business) started throwing offers his way again; but Colin had plotted his course. In the 1960 school break, he found his way back onto the professional boards in summer stock.

After four years, the call of the stage was too strong, and Colin left Appleby to once again pursue acting full-time. He was quoted in an interview, “An actor is basically a shy individual. Only through his performing can he express himself and communicate with others.”

Not all Colin’s reviews were excellent. When the film he shot in Calgary, “The Naked Flame” premiered in 1964, a reviewer said: “I found it difficult to believe that Colin Hamilton was really an attorney. He seemed too young for the role…more like a well-scrubbed choirboy than a shrewd attorney.” The film can now be found under the title Deadline for Murder and is available on streaming services.

Meanwhile, Colin realized his good reviews were not appearing in major city papers with large circulations. Back to Toronto he went, and speedily had a stage role, which was followed by a part in a New York Off-Broadway production.

By 1966, he was firmly ensconced in New York. It was also the year his mother was killed in a car crash, and it hit him hard. He would say his greatest regret was that she did not live to see his success as an actor. He had a robust stage career which included four Broadway productions.

He finally gave up New York for Hollywood in 1975, to work in film and television, as well as soap operas, voice work and commercials, dealing of course with dry spells and rejections. Colin was happiest when on stage or on set. One day, he came out of yet another audition, realized his heart was no longer in it, and retired with over 50 film and television credits. He found pleasure in the day-to-day events of life, his pool, yard, dog, neighborhood, and visits with family, friends, neighbors, and out-of-town houseguests.

In 2019, after 45 years in Hollywood, Colin and his longtime partner (now wife) moved to a retirement community in the greater Nashville, Tennessee area, because he was tired of cooking and his wife declined to learn. It also put them closer to family. He loved walking the nature trails, socializing with other residents, and enjoying ‘his courtyard.’ Shortly after moving, he was asked if he was happy. He replied, “I don’t know about happy, but I’m certainly contented.”

In addition to theatrics, he loved music: classical, jazz, The Great American Songbook, and romantic ballads. His favorite activity at The Heritage at Brentwood was being entertained by the jazz ensemble, Patsy and the Boys (some of the musicians are residents). Colin was particularly fond of Patsy’s rendition of “Over the Rainbow,” and after his passing, she performed it in his memory.

The word heard most often in expressions of condolence was “kind,” a trait handed down from his mother, and from his father he acquired sociability and charm.

He is survived by his partner/wife of 45 years, two sisters-in-law, one brother-in-law, 4 delightful nieces and nephews, several more delightful grandnieces and grandnephews, a maternal cousin and her family in New Zealand, and a paternal cousin and her family in England. He loved them all.

He once said he hoped that the opening quote from Scaramouche would be his epithet, and now it is.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Mohana Karlekar, her entire team, other staff and medical professionals at Vanderbilt Health 100 Oaks who came to Colin’s assistance, and all those who attended him at Vanderbilt University Medical Center ER and ICU. We are most appreciative of the excellent care he received.

If you wish to make a donation in Colin’s memory, may we suggest:

Vanderbilt Health, [email protected]

Best Friends Animal Society, [email protected]

The Entertainment Community Fund, formerly the Actors Fund, [email protected]

Motion Picture & Television Fund, [email protected]

Or any charity near and dear to your heart.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neptunesociety.com/location/nashville-cremation for the Hamilton family.