Murray Hamilton (March 24, 1923 – September 1, 1986) was an American stage, screen, and television character actor.
Born in Washington, North Carolina, Hamilton is perhaps remembered for his role as the obdurate Amity Island mayor in the Steven Spielberg shark-thriller Jaws and its sequel Jaws 2. His other memorable film appearances include the critically acclaimed 1959 film Anatomy of a Murder with Jimmy Stewart, in which he played the dim-witted bartender, Alphonse in the town of Thunder Bay, Michigan. He gave testimony in the murder of Barney Quill which resulted from the rape of the character played by Lee Remick. Quill was shot by the character played by Ben Gazzara, who was married to Remick in the film. He also appeared with Stewart in The FBI Story (1959) and The Spirit of St. Louis (1957).
That same year, Hamilton made a memorable appearance on Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone, starring in the episode, "One for the Angels", playing Death. The Hustler (1961), wherein he played the character "Findley," a wealthy billiards player fevered by gambling, and in The Graduate (1967) as Mr. Robinson, husband of Anne Bancroft's Mrs. Robinson. In 1975, Hamilton starred again with Paul Newman in The Drowning Pool. For many years both before and during his film career, Hamilton was a prominent dramatic actor, earning a Tony Award nomination for his role in the 1965 production of "Absence of a Cello."
Hamilton displayed an early interest in performing during his days at Washington High School just before the outbreak of World War II. Bad hearing kept him from enlisting, so he moved to New York as a 19-year-old to find a career on the stage. In an early role, he performed with Henry Fonda in Mister Roberts. In 1960, he was seen onstage again with Fonda in Critic's Choice. Once more, in 1968, he appeared with Fonda in The Boston Strangler.
He died on September 1, 1986 of a heart attack .
Was nominated for Broadway's 1965 Tony Award as Best Supporting or Featured Actor (Dramatic) for "Absence of a Cello."
Uncle of Stephen Pisani.
