Obituary: Bernie Hamilton
Obituary by Jack Foley
ACTOR Bernie Hamilton, best known as police captain Harold Dobey on hit ’70s television drama Starsky & Hutch, has died at the age of 80.
Hamilton suffered heart failure in a hospital in Los Angeles on Tuesday night (December 30, 2008), according to his son, Raoul.
Although undoubtedly best known (and loved) for his Starsky & Hutch performances, Hamilton also appeared in more than 20 films, including Walk The Walk, The Young One and volcano drama The Devil at Four O’Clock, alongside Spencer Tracey and Frank Sinatra.
More recently, he produced a number of gospel and R&B albums on the US record label Chocolate Snowman.
Born in east Los Angeles in 1928, into a family of five brothers and a sister, Hamilton first became interested in acting while at Oakland Technical High School, and his first film appearance came as a baseball player in a 1950 biopic of Jackie Robinson.
He quickly established himself as a versatile character actor, landing notable roles in the film version of the musical Carmen Jones in 1954, and Synanon in 1965 – a film about a group of recovering drug addicts.
He also appeared alongside Sidney Poitier in The Organisation in 1971, a film that, ironically, saw him playing Lieutenant Jessop to Poitier’s Virgil Tibbs.
Indeed, perhaps it was because of how well he played a police boss that Hamilton was then cast as Captain Dobey in Starsky & Hutch, the seminal ’70s show that ran for four seasons (and 92 episodes) between 1975 and 1979.
The show became renowned for its gritty storylines, as well as the camaraderie that existed between cops Starsky & Hutch (played by Paul Michael Glaser and David Soul, respectively), as well as the regular dressing downs given to them by Dobey.
But while certainly a fun character, Hamilton’s portrayal of Dobey was often praised as a positive role model at a time when parts for black actors could be stereotypical. Ironically, the role had originally been envisaged for a white actor.
Hamilton, however, took it absolutely seriously, researching it thoroughly and regularly visiting the real Los Angeles Police Department to get a taste for how it was run.
Hamilton is survived by his son, his daughter and two grandchildren.
Pay tribute
Bernie Hamilton was a a dear friend of mine. He would travel to Detroit,to produce film, and gospel music. He would always come by,and we would visit with his friends Gwen, and Splib. Bernie, was very intelligent,and it was a joy to be around him.
Marsha Chatman Jan 4 #He spoke many languages,
and had a great sense of
humor.Bernie created
the chocolate snowman,
a soft cuddley dark brown snowman. It has
lollipops for fingers, funny nuts for toes,a
high silk hat,and spat
was all he had for clothes.Pop locking, moon walking, go chocolate snowman go.
This chocolate snowman
made Bernie so happy.It
also made the special
needs children in the
school where I teach,
very happy. Bernie will
truly be missed by so
many people, he just
had the gift of a beautiful soul, it was
so nice to have Bernie
as my friend,he will
always remain in my heart. I wish people
would treat each other
with kindness, the way
Bernie lived his life.
Goodby my dear friend.
To the family, may the
Lord be with you,and
take care of you, during
this time. Thank You.
Mr. Hamilton did a 5 minute soliloqui live from “SPARTICUS” last year for me and my family and proved without a shadow of a doubt that he was not really appreciated as an actor. His presentation was breathtaking! Such an awsome talent he was… He was multi-lingual and so charming! What a “silver fox” he was. I will miss him with all of my heart. I am proud to have known him all of my life. His Mom and my great aunt were great friends, and I will never speak or think of him without smiling. Rest in peace my dearest one.
Wynonah Jan 5 #A star has gone from the night sky, a great actor and a fine man whom I will sadly miss but even worse never fortunate to meet … Goodnight captain .
Bill Heath Jan 6 #Bill