Who is George Hamilton? That very question was ringing around the nation's living rooms on Sunday evening when he was revealed in the latest I'm A Celebrity... lineup. The 70-year-old has an impressive CV, but The Tanned One's focus on cameos, adverts and reality TV in recent years means that the majority of younger UK movie-goers are not too familiar with the dashing, Martini-swirling, well-bronzed Hollywood icon. Keep reading to find out ten facts about the veteran thespian1. The Tanned One was born in Memphis on August 12, 1939 to Anne Potter Hamilton and George 'Spike' Hamilton. His mother has been described in the past as a "gregarious Southern belle beauty".2. From his first big screen starring role, 1959's Crime & Punishment, Hamilton was destined for greatness. Despite being a relative rookie, he took home a Golden Globe and BAFTA nomination for the film and earned a reputation as a heartthrob.3. During his film career, Hamilton has appeared in a number of biopics, playing numerous legendary stars. His most notable roles include playwright Moss Hart (Act One), Hank Williams (Your Cheatin' Heart) and Evel Knievel (Evel Knievel).4. Famed for his love of wine, women and song, the Martini-swirling cad's most famous romance came in 1966. At the peak of his Hollywood powers, Hamilton squired President Lyndon B. Johnson's daughter Lynda Bird.5. The acting work may have dropped off in recent years, but Hamilton has remained in the public eye in the US thanks to a series of commercials for Ritz Cracker and (Toasted!) Wheat Thins.6. Hamilton may never have visited the Australian jungle or spent time with Katie Price before, but he knows a thing or two about reality TV. He hosted The Family in 2003, which pitted members of an Italian family against each other for a $1m prize. He also took part in the 2005 series of ABC's Dancing With The Stars, finishing in fifth place.7. Hamilton decided to cash in on his nickname 'The Tanned One' in the 1980s by opening his own chain of tanning salons and launching a line of skincare products.8. Don't be surprised to hear George having a sing-song around the I'm A Celebrity... camp fire. He released the track 'Don't Envy Me' in 1963. Sadly, the single was a flop, landing at number 134 on the Billboard chart.9. Hamilton was the hot favourite to take over from Bob Barker on US quiz show The New Price Is Right in 2007. Unfortunately, despite testing out for the job, Hamilton was pipped by Drew Carey.10. If you want to know even more about Hamilton, you could do worse than checking out the Renée Zellweger/Chris Noth/Kevin Bacon film My One and Only. The movie is a dramatisation of the actor's early life.
