Sean "Hollywood" Hamilton is an American radio personality. On November 8, 2019 he was inducted into the
National Radio Hall of Fame.[1] He can be heard live weekday afternoons on WKTU in New York City. On October 5, 2018 iHeartMedia announced a new long-term agreement with Hamilton. Robert Pittman (media executive), Chairman and CEO of iHeartMedia, Inc stated “Hollywood Hamilton is one of the most loved, respected and recognized voices and names in radio, his unparalleled ability to connect with both listeners and music's biggest artists is a true representation of what makes radio the most powerful medium in the U.S."[2]
Early life
Hamilton was born and raised in both
Reno, Nevada. Both his parents were in show business; his father, Al, was the entertainment director for major Nevada hotels and casinos, and also a comedian who performed in those establishments. Hamilton's mother, April Ames, was a singer for Harry James, Sam Donahue, Buddy Rich, and others during the "big band" era. She made appearances on Johnny Carson and George Gobel television shows. Later, during the 1970s, she performed on the Nevada casino circuit with her own band, April Ames and The Dames. Hamilton got the nickname "Hollywood" when he was nine years old. Sitting backstage watching his father's Las Vegas show while wearing a suit and bow tie, one of his father's showgirls passed by, stopped, and called him "Little Hollywood".[3]
Broadcasting career
While still in high school, Hamilton landed his first job in commercial radio after gaining recognition from an illegal pirate radio station, broadcasting from a walk-in closet in his parents' home in Reno, Nevada.[4] After weeks of complaints from local commercial radio stations the Federal Communications Commission issued a formal cease and desist. It wasn't until then, that Hamilton's parents even knew of such an operation.[5]
In 1990 actor Christian Slater studied the role of playing a DJ for the motion picture Pump Up the Volume under the tutelage of then friend Hamilton. Because Sean Hamilton's start in radio was very similar to the storyline in the movie, Christian's Mother Mary Jo Slater had personally asked Sean if he'd work with Christian on and off the air while working at KIISFM in Los Angeles.
WKTU New York City
In 1996,
Clear Channel
convinced Hamilton to relocate back to New York City to host a show for their WKTU evening slot. Hamilton brought a sidekick/comedian along by the name of Goumba Johnny, their chemistry earned them top ratings consistently for two years. Because of their overwhelming success, in September 2006 Clear Channel decided to promote the duo to WKTU's afternoon drive.
In December 2010, with the departure of sidekick Goumba Johnny, Hamilton started hosting the afternoon drive-time show solo. Since then his show became not only the highest rated afternoon show in the New York metro area but currently also holds the highest rated share for all radio stations in New York. (8.2 share 25-54 demographic, according to the