
Person
John Ashley Hamilton
Acting
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

Room 222
Marshall Leeds

Thirty-Minute Theatre
Leonard younger Brother

A Different World
Dr. Settle
Drama 61-67
Boxer

Dolemite
Assistant Director

The Old Man of Lochnagar
1993

Guns at Batasi
1964

Carry On Up the Jungle
Nosha (uncredited)

Naked Evil
Danny

The Secret Life of Plants
Himself (as Ashley Alexander)
Filmography
- 1993The Old Man of Lochnagar
- 1987A Different WorldDr. Settle
- 1978The Secret Life of PlantsHimself (as Ashley Alexander)
- 1975DolemiteAssistant Director
- 1970Carry On Up the JungleNosha (uncredited)
- 1969Room 222Marshall Leeds
- 1966Naked EvilDanny
- 1965Thirty-Minute TheatreLeonard younger Brother
- 1964Guns at Batasi
- 1961Drama 61-67Boxer
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