Graham Hamilton

Graham Hamilton
Born
James Graham Hamilton McOwat

(1944-11-27) 27 November 1944 (age 81)
Leeds, England
EducationGiggleswick School, Giggleswick, North Yorkshire Rose Bruford College, London, England
OccupationsActor, singer
Years active1966–present

James Graham Hamilton McOwat (born 27 November 1944) is a British stage and television actor who served as the 15th President of Equity, the actors' trade union, from 2008 to 2010. Formerly vice-president for ten years, Hamilton has been involved in Equity's ruling Council since 1976, during his acting career in plays and musicals in the West End. He is known chiefly for his portrayal of Fagin in Lionel Bart's hit musical Oliver! After working in the West End, he played the villain in over twenty-one pantomimes, appearing at theatres throughout the UK. He was the architect of Equity's Annual Conference and its Rules that replaced the union's inadequate Annual General Meeting in 1995. In 2007, he was awarded Honorary Life Membership of Equity by its governing Council for distinguished service to the union.

Early life

Graham Hamilton was born on 27 November 1944 in Leeds, West Yorkshire. He was educated at Giggleswick School in North Yorkshire, where he was taught English and directed in school plays by Russell Harty when the television presenter and chat-show host was a schoolmaster there. He trained as an actor at Rose Bruford College in London from 1963 to 1966.

Selected credits

West End Theatre credits include:

Pantomime Seasons credits include:

Repertory Theatre credits include plays at:

Theatre Tours credits include:

Summer Season/Tours credits include:

Television credits include:

Radio credits include:

Discography

References

  1. ↑ "Graham Hamilton - Actor". Equity. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
  2. ↑ Smith, Alistair (22 July 2008). "Hamilton elected Equity president". The Stage. London. Archived from the original on 7 September 2008. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
  3. ↑ Equity Annual Report 2007 Publication 29 April 2008 PDF Minutes of 2007 ARC Page 98 www.equity.org.uk
  4. ↑ Giggleswick School Chronicle. Shakespeare play reviews, actor: JGH McOwat (Graham Hamilton), director: FR Harty (Russell Harty). Editions: March 1961, March 1962, Easter 1963.
  5. ↑ Alumni - Rose Bruford College.
  6. ↑ "Alumni F-H". Rose Bruford College. Retrieved 19 September 2026.
  7. ↑ Theatre credits in The Stage Year Book, pub Carson and Comerford, London SE1 3XT successive years.
  8. ↑ Theatre credits in Spotlight Casting Directory, London WC2.
  9. ↑ Theatre credits in The Stage Year Book, pub Carson and Comerford, London SE1 3XT successive years.
  10. ↑ Theatre credits in Spotlight Casting Directory, London WC2.
  11. ↑ TV credits in successive volumes of Radio Times and TV Times, Westminster Arts Library, 35 St Martin's Street, London WC2.
  12. ↑ TV credits Graham Hamilton at IMDb.
  13. ↑ TV credits Graham Hamilton at British Comedy Guide.
  14. ↑ Radio credits Graham Hamilton at British Comedy Guide.
  15. ↑ Discography credits Graham Hamilton at Discogs website.