James Hayden
Encyclopedia
James Hayden was a young, handsome American
actor from Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, with a very promising career ahead of him. Apart from starring on Broadway
, he is perhaps best known for playing Patrick 'Patsy' Goldberg in the 1984 film Once Upon a Time in America
. He also played the role of the nice, shy, and gentle "Harry Colman" in the 1981 TV film, The Intruder Within. According to the touching testimonies of his family and friends, he is as dearly missed as he was, and still is, dearly loved by those who knew him personally. And according to comments of his devoted fans, Hayden is a star whose light has gone out much too soon.
Hayden trained and served as a medic
in the United States Army
during the Vietnam War
. Upon his discharge he returned to New York and attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and began working as an actor.
In 1983, the year of his untimely death, he portrayed a heroin addict in the critically acclaimed play American Buffalo
, co-starring with his close friend Al Pacino
. Ironically, Hayden tragically died of a supposedly self-induced heroin overdose
telephoning his wife, Barbara Daniels, who had pleaded with him to get help with his condition, and then had left him. It appears that Hayden, who by accounts was an extraordinarily sensitive and good-hearted young man, called his wife wanting very much to get back together
In 1984, during the making of The pope of Greenwich Village, Mickey Rourke
dedicated his performance to the memory of James Hayden.
His Funeral Mass, attended by some 300 family and friends, was celebrated by the Rev. Father James Michael, a friend since boyhood, at St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church, Woodside, Queens, New York City. Hayden's sister, Frances, broke in tears as she read the epistle at Mass. In his homily, Father Michael mentioned that he had been counseling Hayden weekly for the previous year, and that "Our hearts have been ripped out and it hurts like hell. But Jimmy has only gone through a transition. He is with God."
(who, as a child, had seen Hayden in American Buffalo
), debuted at the John Houseman Studio Theatre in New York City. The play starred Khalid Gonçalves
(né Paul Gonçalves) as Hayden, with Andrew I. Mones and David B. Martin. A screenplay based on Hayden's life, also written by Messina, was optioned in late 2007.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actor from Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, with a very promising career ahead of him. Apart from starring on Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
, he is perhaps best known for playing Patrick 'Patsy' Goldberg in the 1984 film Once Upon a Time in America
Once Upon a Time in America
Once Upon a Time in America is a 1984 Italian epic crime film co-written and directed by Sergio Leone and starring Robert De Niro and James Woods. The story chronicles the lives of Jewish ghetto youths who rise to prominence in New York City's world of organized crime...
. He also played the role of the nice, shy, and gentle "Harry Colman" in the 1981 TV film, The Intruder Within. According to the touching testimonies of his family and friends, he is as dearly missed as he was, and still is, dearly loved by those who knew him personally. And according to comments of his devoted fans, Hayden is a star whose light has gone out much too soon.
Hayden trained and served as a medic
Combat medic
Combat medics are trained military personnel who are responsible for providing first aid and frontline trauma care on the battlefield. They are also responsible for providing continuing medical care in the absence of a readily available physician, including care for disease and battle injury...
in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. Upon his discharge he returned to New York and attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and began working as an actor.
In 1983, the year of his untimely death, he portrayed a heroin addict in the critically acclaimed play American Buffalo
American Buffalo (play)
American Buffalo is a 1975 play by American playwright David Mamet which had its premiere in a showcase production at the Goodman Theatre, Chicago. After two more showcase productions, it opened on Broadway on February 16, 1977...
, co-starring with his close friend Al Pacino
Al Pacino
Alfredo James "Al" Pacino is an American film and stage actor and director. He is famous for playing mobsters, including Michael Corleone in The Godfather trilogy, Tony Montana in Scarface, Alphonse "Big Boy" Caprice in Dick Tracy and Carlito Brigante in Carlito's Way, though he has also appeared...
. Ironically, Hayden tragically died of a supposedly self-induced heroin overdose
Drug overdose
The term drug overdose describes the ingestion or application of a drug or other substance in quantities greater than are recommended or generally practiced...
telephoning his wife, Barbara Daniels, who had pleaded with him to get help with his condition, and then had left him. It appears that Hayden, who by accounts was an extraordinarily sensitive and good-hearted young man, called his wife wanting very much to get back together
In 1984, during the making of The pope of Greenwich Village, Mickey Rourke
Mickey Rourke
Philip Andre "Mickey" Rourke, Jr. is an American actor, screenwriter and retired boxer, who has appeared primarily as a leading man in action, drama, and thriller films....
dedicated his performance to the memory of James Hayden.
His Funeral Mass, attended by some 300 family and friends, was celebrated by the Rev. Father James Michael, a friend since boyhood, at St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church, Woodside, Queens, New York City. Hayden's sister, Frances, broke in tears as she read the epistle at Mass. In his homily, Father Michael mentioned that he had been counseling Hayden weekly for the previous year, and that "Our hearts have been ripped out and it hurts like hell. But Jimmy has only gone through a transition. He is with God."
Portrayal on stage
On October 28, 1999, Actor Found Dead, a one-act play written and directed by Charles MessinaCharles Messina
Charles Messina is an American playwright, screenwriter and director.Messina was born in Greenwich Village, of Italian-American descent...
(who, as a child, had seen Hayden in American Buffalo
American Buffalo (play)
American Buffalo is a 1975 play by American playwright David Mamet which had its premiere in a showcase production at the Goodman Theatre, Chicago. After two more showcase productions, it opened on Broadway on February 16, 1977...
), debuted at the John Houseman Studio Theatre in New York City. The play starred Khalid Gonçalves
Khalid Gonçalves
Khalid Gonçalves , is an American actor and musician who is best known for his portrayal of rock icon Freddie Mercury in the Off Broadway play Mercury: The Afterlife and Times of a Rock God.The play, written and directed by Charles Messina, debuted at the Sanford...
(né Paul Gonçalves) as Hayden, with Andrew I. Mones and David B. Martin. A screenplay based on Hayden's life, also written by Messina, was optioned in late 2007.
Filmography
- The First Deadly SinThe First Deadly SinThe First Deadly Sin is a 1980 American film produced by and starring Frank Sinatra, along with Faye Dunaway, David Dukes, Brenda Vaccaro, James Whitmore, Martin Gabel in his final acting role, and Bruce Willis in his film debut...
(1980) - Marilyn: The Untold Story (1980)
- Cruising (1980)
- The NestingThe NestingThe Nesting is a 1981 horror film directed and co-written by Armand Weston.-Plot:...
(1981) - The Patricia Neal Story (1981)
- The Intruder Within (1981)
- Once Upon a Time in AmericaOnce Upon a Time in AmericaOnce Upon a Time in America is a 1984 Italian epic crime film co-written and directed by Sergio Leone and starring Robert De Niro and James Woods. The story chronicles the lives of Jewish ghetto youths who rise to prominence in New York City's world of organized crime...
(1984)