Trivia

Long before he became a writer, best known for work involving the horror classic Dark Shadows (1966), the October 1980 issue of "Famous Monsters" magazine was dedicated to him. At age 13, as a volunteer at a sci-fi convention, he was the assistant to Famous Monsters' publisher Forrest J. Ackerman, who showed his appreciation with the dedication.

He grew up in Coffeyville, Kansas. Several movies have been made about the infamous Dalton Gang trying to rob two banks at the same time in Coffeyville in 1892, including the Loretta Swit 1975 TV movie The Last Day (1975).

Distantly related to the Gumm family, including "Frances Gumm", better known as Judy Garland.

Studied journalism at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. (The town's nickname is "The Little Apple.") Later moved to Manhattan, New York.

Has been battling colon cancer since 2002.

Close friend writer/director Craig Lucas provided "blurb" for one of his books: "Craig Hamrick is a wonderful, gifted young writer with a heart-breaking story to tell. "Big Lou" is an insightful look at the theater world, crafted with warmth, humor and just the right dash of cynicism".

Before moving to New York, was editor of several livestock-related magazines (about Arabian show horses, llamas, ostriches, etc.), but even then managed to sometimes interview celebrities, including Arab horse owners like Stefanie Powers and Wayne Newton and llama breeder Dennis Weaver.

Did first celebrity interviews and photography while in college in Coffeyville and Manhattan, Kansas. Interviewed William Windom (Murder, She Wrote (1984)), Gordon Jump (WKRP in Cincinnati (1978)) and Desi Arnaz Jr.. Photographed Jon Bon Jovi. The slightly unpleasant encounter with Arnaz is written about in author Michael Karol's Lucille Ball encyclopedia "Lucy: A to Z".

His Tribeca photo studio and his Brooklyn Heights apartment were used as locations for the horror film And Then They Were Dead... (2004) (he was the still photographer for the movie. He and the film's star, Joe Zaso, are longtime friends). His shower was used for one of the movie's "Psycho"-inspired murder scene. He also used the shower for several photo shoots for his popular "Men of New York" photo series.

He is an uncredited extra in the film Boys Life 4, in the segment "Bumping Heads." You can catch a very clear but brief glimpse of him sitting at the bar when the main characters "bump heads" at the Urge. He's sitting at the bar behind them, chatting with another guy. He was also in the "love lounge" scene but ended up on the cutting room floor. He was the still photographer for this movie, and along with other members of the crew, he stepped in during the bar scenes, to help make the bar seem more full.

Similarly, he did some uncredited voice work for his friend Craig Lucas' directorial debut, "The Dying Gaul," providing background dialog for a party scene.

Wrote "TV Guide's Ultimate Trivia Quiz," published in the magazine's Aug 7, 2005, issue. A few of the wrong answers for the multiple-choice questions include references to his personal life - including mentions of Manhattan, Kansas, where he went to college; his friend, actress Denise Nickerson; his cat, Buster; and his nephew, Christopher.

Life partner was Joe Salvatore.