About Six Degrees of Separation's David Hampton, Who Conned People About Being Sidney Poitier's Son

Photo: New York State Department of Correctional Services/Getty Images

Sidney Poitier, who died at age 94 on Thursday, didn’t star inWill Smith’s 1993 filmSix Degrees of Separation, but it wouldn’t have been made without him.

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He Was from Buffalo, New York

While he claimed to be the descendant of a Hollywood icon, in reality, Hampton grew up in Buffalo, New York, as the son of an attorney. Hampton viewed his hometown as a place without anyone “glamorous or fabulous or outrageously talented,” per theL.A. Times.

When he arrived in New York, Hampton enjoyed money and clothing as a host guest of the wealthy, whom he charmed with tales about his life with Poitier, according to theL.A. Times.

‘‘New York was the place for him,’’ Susan V. Tipograph, a lawyer and Hampton’s friend, told theNew York Times. ‘‘In his mind, the fabulous people lived in New York City.’’

He Was Eventually Caught and Taken Into Custody

While Hampton was able to pull off his scam for some time, he was eventually caught. Hampton was formally charged with attempted burglary when he was 19, according to theNew York Times. He was sentenced to 21 months in prison.

When he was arrested in New York, Hampton had previous charges on his record, according to theL.A. Times. He had been arrested six times before in New York and Buffalo.

He Sued OverSix Degrees of Separation

Hampton sued Guare and others for $100 million, but lost, according to theNew York Times. He “felt entitled to a cut of the cash,” per theL.A. Times, and was given a court order to keep his distance from the playwright after Guare said Hampton was threatening him.

He Died in 2003

Hampton died in 2003 at Beth Israel Hospital, where he had been living at an AIDS residence and working on a book about his life, per theL.A. Times.

source: people.com