Gerald Hamer, born Geoffrey Earl Watton, was a renowned Anglo-American movie and television character actor, whose life and career spanned over eight decades. Born in the charming seaside town of Llandudno, Wales in November 1886, Hamer was the son of John Watton and Evelyn Clara Earl. From a young age, he was drawn to the world of theatre and honed his craft on stage in the United Kingdom, making his professional debut in 1916 with appearances in Shakespearean plays and other classic productions, such as "The Admirable Crichton".
As his career progressed, Hamer began to transition to British film, where he appeared in a range of roles. However, it was his move to the United States in 1935 that marked a significant turning point in his life and career. Hamer made his American film debut in an uncredited role in the classic Astaire-Rogers musical "Swing Time" (1936),directed by George Stevens.
The 1930s and 1940s saw Hamer appear mostly in small and bit roles in B-movies, but it was his portrayal of a psychopath in the Basil Rathbone Sherlock Holmes movie "The Scarlet Claw" (1944) that cemented his place in the annals of cinematic history. He went on to appear in four other entries in the Holmes series, including "Pursuit to Algiers" (1945),"Sherlock Holmes Faces Death" (1943),"Terror by Night" (1946),and "Sherlock Holmes in Washington" (1943).
As television began to emerge as a major force in the entertainment industry, Hamer transitioned to the small screen, appearing in a range of roles throughout the 1950s. Despite his prolific career, Hamer's life was not without its challenges, and he ultimately passed away on July 6, 1972, in Hollywood, California, following a heart attack at the age of 88.
