What's After the Movie
Murray Hamilton (March 24, 1923 – September 1, 1986) was an accomplished American stage, screen, and television character actor who appeared in a variety of films including Anatomy of a Murder, The Hustler, The Graduate, Jaws and The Amityville Horror. Born in Washington, North Carolina, Hamilton displayed an early interest in performing during his days at Washington High School. His career sprang into motion when he moved to New York City at age 19 and began performing on stage. Hamilton famously replaced David Wayne to perform with Henry Fonda in the wartime story Mister Roberts, and later worked again with Fonda in Critic's Choice and The Boston Strangler. His most well-known performance is arguably as Larry Vaughn, the mayor of Amity, in Steven Spielberg's thriller Jaws. Hamilton reprised the role in the sequel, Jaws 2 in 1978.
Hamilton, throughout his expansive career, made dozens of TV guest appearances and performed in various big-screen films. One of his notable performances includes his portrayal of bartender Al Pacquette in the critically acclaimed 1959 film Anatomy of a Murder with James Stewart. Despite complaining about being typecast as a 'heavy', Hamilton had a diverse acting portfolio, even earning a Tony Award nomination for the 1965 production of Absence of a Cello. As he battled cancer towards the end of his life, his co-star George C. Scott helped him secure a part in the made-for-television movie The Last Days of Patton (1986). He passed away at age 63 due to lung cancer.
Learn more about Murray Hamilton, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how Murray Hamilton rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.
Given Name: Murray Hamilton
Born: Washington, North Carolina, U.S.
Citizenship: American
Birthday: March 24, 1923
Occupations: Actor
Years Active: 1944–1986
Children: 1
Spouses: Terri DeMarco
Explore more about on trusted external platforms like Metacritic, Rotten Tomatoes, TMDb or Wikipedia. Find additional details, reviews, and related content to deepen your understanding.
Track the complete movie timeline of Murray Hamilton, including all film releases, career breakthroughs, and notable roles. Follow their journey from early performances to recent blockbusters and upcoming projects.
What's After the Movie?
Not sure whether to stay after the credits? Find out!
Explore Our Movie Platform
New Movie Releases (2025)
Famous Movie Actors
Top Film Production Studios
Movie Plot Summaries & Endings
Major Movie Awards & Winners
Best Concert Films & Music Documentaries
© 2025 What's After the Movie. All rights reserved.