Veteran actorJames Hampton, well recognized for his various roles including starring alongside Burt Reynolds inThe Longest Yardand Michael J. Fox inTeen Wolf, has sadly passed away. A spokesperson speaking on behalf of the family has confirmed that Hampton died from complications of Parkinson’s disease at his Texas home on Wednesday. He was 84 years old.
“Sometimes people wonder where my sense of humor comes from,” Hampton’s cousin Teddy McMurray posted to Twitter in the wake of the news. “Well, it’s a family thing. My cousin, James Hampton, went to Heaven today. I loved having a famous actor as my cousin growing up!”
James Wade Hampton was born on August 22, 2025, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Raised in Dallas, he majored in theatre arts at the University of North Texas. After a stint with the U.S. Army that saw him performing with the USO and winning awards, Hampton relocated to New York City and picked up his first movie role in the Oscar-nominated shortThe Cliffdwellers. He was then cast in a lead role in a 1963Gunsmokeepisode opposite Burt Reynolds, leading a lifelong friendship and multiple collaborations.
Teaming back up with Burt Reynolds, Hampton had a role as Caretaker in the 1974 prison football movieThe Longest Yard. The performance earned the actor a Golden Globe Award nomination for Most Promising Male Newcomer. He also had a large role as Harold Howard in the classic ’80s comedyTeen Wolfas the father of Michael J. Fox’s character, a role he reprised in the sequelTeen Wolf Tooand the animated series adaptation.
As himself, Hampton made more than 30 appearances on Johnny Carson’sTonight Show. Hampton’s other movie roles include playing Jerry Woolridge inSling Blade, a judge inThe Last Ride, and the Mayor of Miami inPolice Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach. His final credit came in the direct-to-video movieThe Associationwhich was released in 2016.
AfterThe Longest Yard, Hampton’s friendship with Reynolds led to new creative opportunities for Hampton. Though he continued to act, he’d also pick up gigs writing, directing, and producing on the Burt Reynolds sitcomEvening Shade. Hampton’s directing work also includes helming episodes of the popular 90s sitcomGrace Under Fire. Just one day before Hampton passed,Grace Under Fireactor Walter Olkewicz also died at the age of 72.
Hampton’s survivors include his wife, Mary; children, James, Andrea, and Frank; and his grandchildren. We send out condolences out to them at this difficult time. May herest in peace. This news comes to us fromTheWrap.
