Actor James Gammon 1940-2010 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 07-16-2010, 08:35 PM

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James Gammon, the gravelly voiced Hollywood actor who owned a thoroughbred farm in Marion County, died Friday morning at age 70.

Gammon died in Costa Mesa, Calif., where he and his wife, Nancy, lived part-time with one of their daughters and her family. Nancy said he had been diagnosed with cancer several years ago, but they thought he had beat it. Then, about a month ago, he ended up in the hospital where they found cancer in his adrenal gland and liver.

At his age, surgery and chemo were out of the question, she said. He chose to come home and be with his family.

The Gammon family considers Marion County their permanent home, moving here in 1988 from Los Angeles. They moved after attending James’ class reunion at Boone High School in Orlando, where old friend Lair Glaudell urged them to take a look at a nine-acre horse farm in Marion County.

“We turned the corner on (County Road) 475A, and it was the most beautiful nine acres we’d ever seen,” Nancy recalled Friday from California. They were hooked, buying the farm and relocating their daughters to Marion County.

They dubbed the thoroughbred farm Milagro, named for the 1988 movie “The Milagro Beanfield War,” in which Gammon played Horsethief Shorty.

Gammon loved horses as much as acting, said Glaudell, who has managed Milagro Farm.

“Jim was a very passionate man about everything he did,” Glaudell said. “He loved his horses. He was a terrific family man. As an actor, he was immediately recognized by people.”

With his weathered face and signature voice, Gammon was a scene stealer who often played second fiddle to A-list stars on film and TV. He played Don Johnson’s father on TV’s “Nash Bridges.” He played Charlie Sheen’s coach in “Major League.” He played pioneer Esco Swanger in “Cold Mountain,” which earned Renée Zellweger a Best Actress Oscar in 2004.

Among a long list of credits dating back to TV’s “Gunsmoke” in 1966, Gammon played a Korean War veteran on ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” and Steve Strange in the 1980 John Travolta smash “Urban Cowboy.”

On Broadway, Gammon was nominated for a Tony Award for his role in the 1996 revival of Sam Shepard’s “Buried Child.” The role did win him a Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Principal Actor.

“That gravelly voice. There wasn’t anybody who talked like him,” said Mary Britt, executive director of Ocala Civic Theatre. “I would be in the other room and hear that voice, and I’d know instantly it was him.”

Britt met Gammon in 2002, when the actor approached her about gathering some local actors for a reading of “King Lear.” He was to perform the work in California, and Britt said he wanted to do some “homework” in Ocala.

He sat with local actors for the reading and then left for California for a month or so. When he returned, he asked Britt about staging a public reading with costumes. Thus, he and a large cast of locals performed the show at OCT in 2003.

“He remembered every person he saw (at OCT), even my mother who worked in the box office,” recalled Susan Moring, who starred in the staged reading with Gammon. “What a charming man. A thoroughly nice man. And he made a marvelous Lear.”

“He just always seemed so appreciative,” Britt said. “When he came back, he remembered everybody’s name. Always very gracious. Just a neat guy.”

Gammon is survived by his wife, Nancy, daughters Allison Mann of Costa Mesa, Calif., Amy Gammon of West Hollywood, Calif., and two grandchildren, Hudson and Henry Mann.

Nancy said few arrangements have been made yet, but the family plans to have a memorial service in the coming days at the MET Theatre, which Gammon founded in Los Angeles in 1973.

In lieu of flowers, the family asked for donations to the American Cancer Society.

catlover79 · 07-16-2010, 08:49 PM

Awww...I loved this guy as Lou Brown. My brother was a big fan of his, too. May he

.

Cactus Jack · 07-16-2010, 09:06 PM

RIP

He as awesome in Major League LOL

Marvo301 · 07-16-2010, 09:10 PM

James Gammon

Mr. Television · 07-16-2010, 09:12 PM

I was a big Nash Bridges fan back in the 90's and he was great in it. R.I.P. James.

dakert · 07-16-2010, 10:09 PM

Is 70 years old too old for cancer surgery? If you get cancer in your liver it is not a good prognosis.
I didnt notice how long it was since he had the cancer and when he died. WOW, just a month ago. At least he didnt linger for a long time--I hate lingering!!!!

07-16-2010, 08:35 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,392	Actor James Gammon 1940-2010 Link James Gammon, the gravelly voiced Hollywood actor who owned a thoroughbred farm in Marion County, died Friday morning at age 70. Gammon died in Costa Mesa, Calif., where he and his wife, Nancy, lived part-time with one of their daughters and her family. Nancy said he had been diagnosed with cancer several years ago, but they thought he had beat it. Then, about a month ago, he ended up in the hospital where they found cancer in his adrenal gland and liver. At his age, surgery and chemo were out of the question, she said. He chose to come home and be with his family. The Gammon family considers Marion County their permanent home, moving here in 1988 from Los Angeles. They moved after attending James’ class reunion at Boone High School in Orlando, where old friend Lair Glaudell urged them to take a look at a nine-acre horse farm in Marion County. “We turned the corner on (County Road) 475A, and it was the most beautiful nine acres we’d ever seen,” Nancy recalled Friday from California. They were hooked, buying the farm and relocating their daughters to Marion County. They dubbed the thoroughbred farm Milagro, named for the 1988 movie “The Milagro Beanfield War,” in which Gammon played Horsethief Shorty. Gammon loved horses as much as acting, said Glaudell, who has managed Milagro Farm. “Jim was a very passionate man about everything he did,” Glaudell said. “He loved his horses. He was a terrific family man. As an actor, he was immediately recognized by people.” With his weathered face and signature voice, Gammon was a scene stealer who often played second fiddle to A-list stars on film and TV. He played Don Johnson’s father on TV’s “Nash Bridges.” He played Charlie Sheen’s coach in “Major League.” He played pioneer Esco Swanger in “Cold Mountain,” which earned Renée Zellweger a Best Actress Oscar in 2004. Among a long list of credits dating back to TV’s “Gunsmoke” in 1966, Gammon played a Korean War veteran on ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” and Steve Strange in the 1980 John Travolta smash “Urban Cowboy.” On Broadway, Gammon was nominated for a Tony Award for his role in the 1996 revival of Sam Shepard’s “Buried Child.” The role did win him a Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Principal Actor. “That gravelly voice. There wasn’t anybody who talked like him,” said Mary Britt, executive director of Ocala Civic Theatre. “I would be in the other room and hear that voice, and I’d know instantly it was him.” Britt met Gammon in 2002, when the actor approached her about gathering some local actors for a reading of “King Lear.” He was to perform the work in California, and Britt said he wanted to do some “homework” in Ocala. He sat with local actors for the reading and then left for California for a month or so. When he returned, he asked Britt about staging a public reading with costumes. Thus, he and a large cast of locals performed the show at OCT in 2003. “He remembered every person he saw (at OCT), even my mother who worked in the box office,” recalled Susan Moring, who starred in the staged reading with Gammon. “What a charming man. A thoroughly nice man. And he made a marvelous Lear.” “He just always seemed so appreciative,” Britt said. “When he came back, he remembered everybody’s name. Always very gracious. Just a neat guy.” Gammon is survived by his wife, Nancy, daughters Allison Mann of Costa Mesa, Calif., Amy Gammon of West Hollywood, Calif., and two grandchildren, Hudson and Henry Mann. Nancy said few arrangements have been made yet, but the family plans to have a memorial service in the coming days at the MET Theatre, which Gammon founded in Los Angeles in 1973. In lieu of flowers, the family asked for donations to the American Cancer Society. Attached Images
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07-16-2010, 08:49 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	Awww...I loved this guy as Lou Brown. My brother was a big fan of his, too. May he .
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07-16-2010, 09:06 PM	#3
Cactus Jack RonFingSwanson Forum Idol Join Date: Dec 09, 2001 Location: Santa Rosa Beach,FL Posts: 103,099	RIP He as awesome in Major League LOL
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07-16-2010, 09:10 PM	#4
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	James Gammon
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07-16-2010, 09:12 PM	#5
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	I was a big Nash Bridges fan back in the 90's and he was great in it. R.I.P. James.
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07-16-2010, 10:09 PM	#6
dakert Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 10, 2007 Location: Altoona PA Posts: 3,411	Is 70 years old too old for cancer surgery? If you get cancer in your liver it is not a good prognosis. I didnt notice how long it was since he had the cancer and when he died. WOW, just a month ago. At least he didnt linger for a long time--I hate lingering!!!!