John F. Hamilton

John F. Hamilton (November 7, 1893 – July 11, 1967) was an American-born actor who worked for many years in the theater but only occasionally on film. He is probably best-remembered as Pops, father of Eva Marie Saint's character, in Elia Kazan's film classic On the Waterfront. He was known as John F. Hamilton to distinguish him from the much more prolific American film actor John Hamilton (who played "Perry White" on TV) and also from a British actor of youthful roles who worked in England and Europe in the 1930s.

Born in New York City on November 7, 1893, Hamilton was a graduate of Fordham University. His performing career began in vaudeville in 1916.

Broadway plays in which Hamilton appeared included Shore Leave (1922), Hell-bent Fer Heaven (1924), The Mongrel (1924), The Dagger (1925), Rockbound (1929), The Black Tower (1932), Ceiling Zero (1935), Iron Men (1936), Of Mice and Men (1937), Clash by Night (1941), The Day Will Come (1944), and Therese (1945).

For the last five years of Hamilton's life he lived in Englewood, New Jersey, at the Actors Fund Home. He died on July 11, 1967, at Bergen Pines Hospital in Paramus, New Jersey, aged 73.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes1926 Rainbow Riley Halfwit 1927 The Mountain Eagle Edward Pettigrew Hitchcock lost film The Masked Menace The Half-Wit 1929 The Great Gabbo Neighbour Uncredited1939 Allegheny Uprising Professor 1940 The Saint's Double Trouble Limpy Gold Rush Maisie Bert Davis 1942 Men of Texas Dwight Douglass 1943 The Amazing Mrs. Holliday Dr. Kirke Shantytown Mr. Gorty Pilot No. 5 Mr. Pritchard Uncredited Spy Train Senior Conductor Headin' for God's Country Hilary Higgins 1947 Boomerang Man in Barber Shop Uncredited1949 The Undercover Man Police Desk Sergeant Shannon 1954 On the Waterfront Pops Doyle