James Hayden
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
James Hayden (November 25, 1953 – November 8, 1983) was an American actor. Apart from starring on Broadway, he is perhaps best known for playing Patrick 'Patsy' Goldberg in the film Once Upon a Time in America.
Hayden ran away from his Brooklyn home at 14. After years on the street, he served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He returned to the United States and began working as an actor. [1]
In 1983, the year of his death, he portrayed a heroin addict in the critically acclaimed play American Buffalo, co-starring with his friend Al Pacino.[2][3]
Hayden died of a heroin overdose while on the phone with his estranged wife.[4]
[edit] Selected Filmography
- The First Deadly Sin (1980)
- The Nesting (1981)
- Once Upon a Time in America (1984)
[edit] References
- ^ Staff report (November 21, 1983). Obituary. Time
- ^ Rich, Frank (October 28, 1983). Theater: Al Pacino, 'American Buffalo.' New York Times
- ^ Nightingale, Benedict (November 6, 1983). Stage View: 'American Buffalo' Proves Its Quality. New York Times
- ^ Freedman, Samuel G. (November 8, 1983). Actor Who Played an Addict Dies, Apparently of Overdose. New York Times
