John Ashley Hamilton

Personal Info

Known For Actor

Gender Male

Also Known As George Alexander Saunders

John Ashley Hamilton

Biography

John Ashley Hamilton--actor, writer, director--brings to the entertainment industry many years of experience in acting and film production. A native of London, England, he became a well-known personality there from his work in television and commercial appearances. He was the first black person to appear in a commercial shown on television and in movie theaters in England and Wales. The product was Tia Maria coffee Liqueur. Hamilton has a strong theatre background. He appeared in plays at the London West End Theatres of Great Britain, and was a member of the Royal National Theatre of Great Britain when Sir Laurence Olivier was director. Hamilton's voice was very well known as a radio performer in England and Wales on BBC radio. In the US he appeared as an actor in several television shows and commercials. He also trained as a director with Spelling/Goldberg Productions on the Fox lot; he sold a story idea to Norman Lear for an episode of Lear's series Good Times (1974). Hamilton believes as long as he is working doing what he loves--his passion for acting, writing, directing--getting paid a lot of money is unimportant. Money doesn't make the man. Man makes money. Hamilton left the entertainment business for a few years, but has since returned to the business.

Known For

Actor

1987
A Different World

as Dr. Settle

1979
The Secret Life of Plants

as Himself (as Ashley Alexander)

1969
Room 222

as Marshall Leeds

1966
Naked Evil

as Danny

Director

1975
Dolemite

as Assistant Director