Actor George Hamilton, who celebrated his 87th birthday on August 12, revealed that he experienced significant memory loss following an undisclosed surgery approximately four to five years ago. Doctors initially predicted the condition would be temporary, lasting only a few days, but Hamilton stated it persisted for years, leading him to question his own identity.
"I had to read my own biography to learn who I was," Hamilton exclusively told Page Six. He recounted reading his 2008 memoir, "Don't Mind If I Do: My Adventures in Hollywood," multiple times and struggling to connect with the events and actions described within it. "And I had to think, ‘Do I like this person?’ I read it through several times and looked at things from my past and I wasn’t sure if I had done them."
While grappling with this period of amnesia, Hamilton found that the most vivid memories to resurface were those from his childhood, particularly recollections of "manners and kindness and people who were together. Resiliency."
This experience has shifted Hamilton's perspective, leading him to place greater importance on core values. "Other things have come and gone, but kindness and good manners and optimism and belief in something more important than our egos is something people probably don’t think I think about, but it’s most important to me at this age," he shared. He emphasized that these qualities are the most valuable aspects of life, especially after a significant period of reflection.
Hamilton has been dating socialite and psychologist Katherine Bryan for a year and a half. He described their relationship as one filled with fun and mutual understanding. "She’s great. Best thing is we bring a lot of fun into each other’s life . . . There is a shorthand in our relationship," he said, praising Bryan's consideration for others and her ability to maintain strong relationships with her friends and family.
In addition to his personal reflections, Hamilton remains active in the entertainment industry. He is collaborating with Bryan's son, author George Gurley, on a one-man show about his life, which they hope to stage in Palm Beach this winter. The pair are also working on a sequel to Hamilton's memoir.
Hamilton's past relationships include public romances with figures such as Elizabeth Taylor and Lynda Bird, daughter of President Lyndon B. Johnson. He was previously married to Alana Stewart and has a child with Kimberly Blackford.