Graham Hamilton

{{short description|British stage and television actor (born 1944)}}

{{for|the Australian swimmer|Graham Hamilton (swimmer)}}

{{For|the 1822 novel|Graham Hamilton (novel)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Graham Hamilton

| image =

| image_size =

| image_caption =

| birth_name = James Graham Hamilton McOwat

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1944|11|27|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Leeds, England

| death_date =

| death_place =

| education = Giggleswick School, Giggleswick, North Yorkshire

| alma_mater = Rose Bruford College, Sidcup, Kent

| nationality = British

| notable_works =

| occupation = Actor, singer

| years_active = 1966–present

| website = http://www.spotlight.com/4372-9059-9315

}}

James Graham Hamilton McOwat (born 27 November 1944) is a British stage and television actor who was the 15th President of Equity, the actors' trade union, between 2008 and 2010.{{cite web |url=http://www.equity.org.uk/directory-of-members/graham-hamilton2/ |title=Graham Hamilton - Actor |publisher=Equity |accessdate=1 February 2012 |archive-date=2 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202215940/http://www.equity.org.uk/directory-of-members/graham-hamilton2/ |url-status=dead }} Formerly vice-president for ten years, Hamilton has been involved in Equity's ruling Council since 1976, during his acting career in plays and musicals in the West End. He is known chiefly for his portrayal of Fagin in Oliver!{{cite web |url=http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/21350/hamilton-elected-equity-president |title=Hamilton elected Equity president |last=Smith |first=Alistair |date=22 July 2008 |work=The Stage |location=London |accessdate=29 June 2013}} After working in the West End, he became famous for playing the villain in over twenty-one pantomimes, appearing at major theatres throughout the UK. He was the architect of Equity's Annual Conference and its Rules that replaced the union's inadequate Annual General Meeting in 1995. In 2007, he was awarded Honorary Life Membership of Equity by its governing Council for distinguished service to the union.