Longtime character actor James Hampton — who appeared in the television series “F Troop” and the original version of “The Longest Yard” and scores of other productions — has passed away at the age of 84, according to published reports.
Hampton died Wednesday of complications from Parkinson’s disease, his agent told Variety. He had retired to Texas.
Adept at comedy, the Oklahoma native was a familiar face from the early-1960s, appearing in a variety of television shows of the era, such as “Gunsmoke," "Rawhide" and "The Doris Day Show." He had a featured role in “F Troop,” alongside Forrest Tucker and Larry Storch, from 1965 to 1967.
In his film parts, he may be best remembered as Caretaker, who helps Burt Reynolds put together a football team of prison inmates in 1974’s “The Longest Yard.” The film was remade with Adam Sandler and Chris Rock in 2005.
Hampton, who was friends with Reynolds, wrote and directed several episodes of the star's “Evening Shade” television series on CBS.
He also co-starred in the 1985 Michael J. Fox comedy “Teen Wolf.” Critically acclaimed features in Hampton’s filmography include “The China Syndrome” in 1979 and “Sling Blade” in 1996.