David Hampton (1964-2003) was a charismatic con man and robber who earned notoriety in New York City during the 1980s. He moved to the Big Apple in 1981 to pursue acting dreams. Instead, he crafted an elaborate scheme, posing as Sidney Poitier’s son to scam wealthy New Yorkers. His audacious fraud led to his arrest and imprisonment in 1983.
Hampton’s story inspired John Guare’s acclaimed play Six Degrees of Separation, which investigated themes of class and identity. Despite the play’s success, Hampton’s life continued to spiral, marked by lawsuits, harassment, and more criminal activities. The tale of this infamous impostor goes far beyond the stage and film adaptations.
Early Life in Buffalo
David Hampton was born in Buffalo, New York, in 1964, the eldest son of an attorney. Growing up in the Rust Belt city, Hampton started to view hometown harshly, perceiving it as devoid of glamorous or talented individuals. This perception would shape his aspirations and fuel his desire to get away from what he saw as a humdrum existence.
As the son of a lawyer, Hampton likely enjoyed comfortable upbringing. However, his ambitions stretched beyond the confines of Buffalo. He dreamed of a life filled with excitement and artistic pursuits, envisioning himself as an actor or dancer on New York City’s grand stage.
The young Hampton was restless. He was yearning for something more, plotting his escape from what he saw as a mundane environment. The contrast between his hometown and the Big Apple’s glittering lights must have been stark in his mind. His dissatisfaction with living in Buffalo would ultimately drive him to leave his familiar surroundings and pursue his dreams in New York City. It was a bold move from the youngster.
The Move to New York
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In 1981, a young and ambitious David Hampton arrived in the thriving metropolis of New York City, filled with dreams of an acting and dancing career. However, his high hopes were quickly replaced with the harsh reality of being in the Big Apple. He found himself struggling to make ends meet. So, Hampton devised a cunning plan to survive and thrive in his new environment.
Hampton hatched up an ingenious scheme — adopting the identity of David Poitier, a fictional son of the famous actor Sidney Poitier. This fake persona allowed him to beguile his way into the lives of several well-off New Yorkers, who willingly provided him with money and shelter. As he reveled in the borrowed clothes and the indulgent lifestyle of the wealthy, Hampton’s con artistry worked and even flourished. His ability to charm, deceive, and manipulate ultimately led to events that would inspire a famous play and film.
The Sidney Poitier Scam
Hampton’s most notorious con took shape in 1983 using his bold and shameless ruse. He posed as Sidney Poitier’s son, targeting affluent New Yorkers. He would call his victims’ parents, claiming to be a Harvard student in need of temporary shelter and financial assistance.
Hampton’s elaborate scheme granted him access to elite social circles and establishments, where he continued his fraudulent activities. As an impostor claiming to be Poitier’s son, he charmed and manipulated unsuspecting targets, exploiting their trust and generosity.
However, Hampton’s success was fleeting. As his deception grew, so did the risk of exposure. Eventually, his Poitier scheme unraveled, leading to his arrest and conviction for fraud. The court sentenced him to 18 months to 4 years in prison, ending his elaborate fakery.
Hampton’s audacious con left an enduring impact beyond his criminal activities. Playwright John Guare drew inspiration from Hampton’s story, creating the acclaimed play Six Degrees of Separation. The play focused on themes of identity, class, and human connection, solidifying Hampton’s place in cultural history.
Arrest and Legal Consequences
Hampton’s elaborate schemes finally caught up with him in 1983. He was arrested and convicted of fraud, receiving a sentence of 18 months to four years in prison. It began Hampton’s long-running legal troubles and a heightened life of crime.
Hampton’s list of offenses included fraud, attempted burglary, credit-card theft, threats of violence, and harassment.
Despite his conviction and prison time, Hampton continued his crimes. His notoriety even grew* with the success of John Guare’s play Six Degrees of Separation, inspired by Hampton’s exploits. Seeking a share of the profits, Hampton unsuccessfully sued Guare for $100 million.
The legal battles didn’t stop there. Hampton’s harassment of Guare led to a court order requiring him to keep his distance from the playwright. Although a jury later acquitted him of a harassment charge, Hampton’s reputation as a con man only grew. His criminal activities and legal troubles persisted until he passed away in 2003, leaving behind a legacy of deceit and unfulfilled potential.
Inspiring Six Degrees of Separation
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The play became an astounding success, winning the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award and earning Pulitzer and Tony nominations. It expertly told Hampton’s real-life fraud into an enthralling narrative focused on themes of identity, class, and the human condition. Guare’s portrayal of Hampton as a “screwed up but sympathetic character” resonated with critics and audiences.
However, Hampton wasn’t happy with his newfound fame. He took Guare and others involved with the play to court for $100 million, claiming they had stolen his life story without permission. While the lawsuit proved unsuccessful, it further solidified the connection between Hampton’s real-life fraud and the fictional work it inspired.
Hampton’s Reaction to Fame
David Hampton’s reaction to his newfound fame was far from gracious. Instead of embracing the notoriety that came with inspiring the acclaimed play Six Degrees of Separation, he saw it as an opportunity to exploit him.
Hampton’s subsequent actions exposed his true character. Besides suing playwright John Guare for $100 million, claiming copyright infringement, Hampton also harassed Guare with phone calls and death threats. He believed he was entitled to a slice of the profits, so he attempted to capitalize on his own fraudulent story. However, Hampton failed to use the play’s fame to his advantage.
Hampton would have been pleased with the sympathetic portrayal in the play. However, he was more concerned with financial gain. Despite the play’s success, winning awards, and spawning a film adaptation, Hampton remained on the sidelines. His lawsuit against Guare failed, and his attempts to benefit from his infamy also met the same fate. Instead of using this opportunity to turn his life around, Hampton continued with his brush against the law. Tragically, he died in obscurity at the age of 39, unable to escape the consequences of his fraudulent past.
Later Criminal Activities
Despite his newfound popularity, Hampton continued to face legal troubles following his release from prison. You would think he might have turned his life around and changed for the better. Instead, he doubled down on his fraudulent ways. His criminal records expanded to include fare-beating, credit-card theft, and burglary. Hampton’s behavior became increasingly unpredictable and dangerous, with violence and harassment threats becoming part of his repertoire.
Perhaps most significantly, Hampton targeted playwright John Guare, whose work Six Degrees of Separation was inspired by Hampton’s earlier cons. He bombarded Guare with phone calls and death threats, seemingly unable to accept the success of the play without benefiting from it directly. Hampton even filed a $100 million lawsuit claiming copyright infringement, though it was eventually dismissed.
In a particularly brazen move, Hampton devised a 9/11 scam in 2001. He tricked a 52-year-old lawyer on a date, claiming they needed $1,000 for a celebrity benefit, and left the victim with a hefty dinner bill. Despite his ongoing criminal activities, Hampton continued to seek ways to profit from his notoriety, expressing interest in writing a book about his life.
Legacy and Death
After years of a life of fraud and crime, David Hampton died of AIDS-related complications at the age of 39. His legacy, however, lives on through the play and its film adaptation Six Degrees of Separation, inspired by his life.
Despite filing a $100 million lawsuit against playwright John Guare, which was dismissed, Hampton couldn’t take advantage of the play’s success. The play portrayed him as a “screwed up but sympathetic character.” The play’s film adaptation earned actress Stockard Channing an Academy Award nomination for her role as Ouisa.
Hampton’s story continues to captivate audiences through a play and film, both inspired by his life. While his criminal history can’t be overlooked, his impact on the arts is undeniable. The play’s enduring success means that Hampton’s legacy remains intertwined with the themes and characters he inspired, making him an unlikely muse for a celebrated exploration of societal dynamics and human nature.