James Gammon was born on April 20, 1940 in Newman, IL. His father was a musician and his mother a farm girl. They ended up divorcing and James spent his younger life being shuffled around between relatives. As a teenager, he ended up with his mother and siblings in central Florida where he finished high school. He briefly attended college, then got a job as a cameraman for a CBS affiliate. He then headed out to LA where he got involved in theater. Although he probably gained more notoriety for his appearances in films and tv shows, his love was theater. He helped found the Met Theater in LA in the early 1970’s, and starred there as well as in New York in numerous plays, including many written by Sam Shepard.
To provide a better steady income, Mr. Gammon also worked in numerous tv and movie rolls. The Wild Wild West was one of his first appearances in 1966. He appeared in the 8th season of Bonanza as Harry Jeffers, son of Matt Jeffers who is scheming in A Man Without Land.
To provide a better steady income, Mr. Gammon also worked in numerous tv and movie rolls. The Wild Wild West was one of his first appearances in 1966. He appeared in the 8th season of Bonanza as Harry Jeffers, son of Matt Jeffers who is scheming in A Man Without Land.
His gruff voice was one of the things that made him memorable. His list of shows is impressive. He made many appearances in The Waltons. He was Don Johnson's dad Nick in the Nash Bridges show. He started in westerns including The Virginian and Gunsmoke. His last TV roll was as a vet in Grey's Anatomy.He also appeared in many tv movies and miniseries including Streets of Laredo, Lonesome Dove, and Monte Walsh.
His first movie roll was in 1967 as a member of the chain gang in Cool Hand Luke. Although having seen him numerous times before, one of his rolls that put him in my mind was in Silverado as the leader of the gang in the ravine hideout scene.
One of his most memorable films was the manager Lou Brown in Major League where he takes the Cleveland Indians from last place to pennant winners.
He was also in Cold Mountain, Appaloosa, and Wild Bill.
Mr Gammon's first marriage ended in divorce. He married Nancy Kapusta in 1972. They had 2 daughters and 2 grandchildren. They returned to Florida in 1989 and bought a 9 acre horse farm in Ocala where they bred Thoroughbred racehorses.
James Gammon died in July of 2010 at the age of 70 from cancer of the adrenal glands and the liver. He was surrounded by his family. His characters on screen and stage over many years will be remembered fondly.
James Gammon died in July of 2010 at the age of 70 from cancer of the adrenal glands and the liver. He was surrounded by his family. His characters on screen and stage over many years will be remembered fondly.
